Issue 1208
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Today’s thought
“Honesty is often very hard. The truth is often painful. But the freedom it can bring is worth the trying.” —Mr. Fred Rogers
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Dog Mom’s Day! Don’t have a dog? Maybe you can celebrate National Shrimp Day instead!
On this day in history: On May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven in a ceremony in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. (If this interests you, then you’ll love this!)
Featured news
National parks face devastating cuts, with majority in jeopardy
The National Park Service is facing what some experts call the greatest threat in its 109-year history from unprecedented budget cuts that could shutter the majority of parks and sites, eliminate thousands of jobs, and open the door to privatization. What’s behind the proposed $1.2 billion slash, and what would it mean for the future of America’s most treasured public lands? Click here to read.
RV product prices may soon skyrocket
Need a new faucet for your RV’s kitchen sink? Wanting a new keyless RV door lock? Holding tank smelling? These are some of the more popular purchases made by RVers through Amazon. But you may see the prices for these and millions of other products start to skyrocket. The de minimis exemption is now a closed loophole, and even if you’re willing to pay the higher price, you may wait longer to get your purchases. Learn more.
California’s gas prices could hit $8 gallon, more states could follow
Hold onto your wallets—California’s gas prices are on track to hit a jaw-dropping $8.44 per gallon by the end of 2026, and experts warn the financial aftershocks could slam more Western states, too. With two major refineries set to close and a tangle of new state regulations driving up costs, the Golden State’s gas crisis isn’t just a local headache—it’s shaping up to be a regional economic earthquake. Continue reading.
COMING IN TOMORROW’S NEWSLETTER: The future of the RV industry: Bracing for what’s to come
UPDATE: Changes coming to our commenting system
We’re making some upgrades to how comments work on RVtravel.com. Starting Sunday evening, May 11, we’ll be switching to a new commenting system that’s faster, smarter, and more enjoyable to use. Our current software just isn’t cutting it anymore, so it’s time for a fresh start. The new system will include everything you already like, plus some great new features we think you’ll enjoy. Learn more.
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
The biggest issues we’re seeing as camp hosts
This week, Nanci Dixon discusses some of the issues she and her husband have seen in their several years of being campground hosts. Also, a number of readers write in about what has tarnished the camping experience for them. While there are a number of reasons, some come up consistently. We’re sure you can relate.
News briefs
And speaking of more things getting more expensive… RV tire prices are heading sky-high—and not just for motorhomes. With new tariffs hitting imported tires and raw materials, RVers and everyday drivers alike could see price hikes up to 25% or more. Here’s what that means for you.
Would you pay $995 for a VIP pass to test drive 125 motorhomes? Now you can! National Indoor RV Centers (NIRVC) will host their second annual Music City Motorhome Expo VIP Experience from May 31 to June 4 at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, TN, and you’re invited. This could be a very fun experience for some lucky RVers.
Good news on gas prices… for now. OPEC+, the group of major oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, says it’s pumping up oil production in June. The conglomerate says this will spin out to about 411,000 more barrels per day. As more crude enters the global market in June, road trippers could see slightly cheaper fill-ups. Here’s more info.
Starting July 1, Idaho drivers will be allowed to exceed the speed limit by up to 15 mph when passing a slower vehicle on a two-lane highway, thanks to House Bill 205. The goal is to make passing safer and more efficient in situations where drivers are stuck behind slow-moving vehicles with limited opportunities to pass. However, there’s a catch…
May 6, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, announced the temporary closures and/or a reduction of services in several recreation areas across Oklahoma and Kansas for the 2025 summer season. These are due to an ongoing staffing shortage that has made it challenging to maintain routine maintenance, sanitation, and safety checks across all sites. Here are the details and which sites will be closed.
A 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was gored by a bison while visiting Yellowstone National Park last Sunday, according to the National Park Service. Park officials say the man approached the animal in the Lake Village area and was attacked after getting too close. Don’t do this!!!
HOLY IGUANA! Reptile wranglers in Florida said they believe they set a new local record for the Miami area when they removed 98 iguana eggs from a single yard. Humane Iguana Control said personnel responded to a home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay, where three female iguanas had nested in burrows that were all interconnected.
Forest River is recalling more than 1,100 travel trailers after realizing they accidentally wired up a potential fire hazard—because nothing says “relaxing RV getaway” like the risk of your solar system shorting out and torching your rig. Right? Learn more.
Walmart is closing these stores in 2025 to concentrate on stores with stronger customer traffic: Dunwoody and Marietta, Georgia; Towson, Maryland; Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Aurora, Colorado; and in California, San Diego, El Cajon, West Covina, Fremont, and Granite Bay.
Big Bend National Park will close the entire Chisos Basin area when construction begins in fall 2025. The affected area includes the Chisos Mountain Lodge, campground, visitor center, restaurant, and trailheads. More details here.
Keystone RV is recalling certain 2025 Kodiak 2900FKSP and 308BHSL travel trailers. The struts may not support enough of the fold-down patio’s weight while being raised or lowered. The operator may be unable to handle the patio’s weight, increasing the risk of injury. Learn more.
Beginning May 21, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will transition to a fully cashless fee system. Mobile payments, credit cards, or debit cards will be required to pay entrance fees. More info in this press release.
Ya like lemonade? Well, good news: McDonald’s has just expanded its offering of real lemonade from select locations to all its restaurants. The lemonade features real lemon juice, lemon pulp and cane sugar. It has replaced the previous Minute Maid concentrate version.
BUMPER SNICKER: I may be old but I got to see all the cool bands.
Reader poll
How many states have you visited in your RV?
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of fuel as of May 5, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.15. Up 1 cent from last week; down 50 cents from last year.
Diesel: $3.50. Down 2 cents from last week; down 40 cents from last year.
• The state with the most expensive gas: California, $4.85
• The state with the least expensive gas: Mississippi, $2.65
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Brain teaser
If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will half a dozen hens lay in half a dozen days?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Need some extra storage space in your RV when traveling? Consider your shower stall. Store items in plastic see-thru bins. When you reach your campsite, store the bins in an out-of-the-way place, perhaps beneath your RV or in your tow vehicle or toad. Not planning to use your shower? Then keep the bins right where they are.
Trivia
In the summer of 1880, the Irish Land League was trying to better the working conditions of Irish farmers. At that same time, a British agent, Captain Charles Boycott, was attempting to collect rent and crops from those farmers. Father O’Malley, a prominent member of the Irish Land League, encouraged the farmers to refuse any business with Boycott. O’Malley coined the verb “boycott” as a way to refuse doing business with someone as a form of protest. The press picked up the word and ran with it and the rest, as they say, is history!
Laugh of the week
Perhaps some advice to be avoided… Click on the image to enlarge if you don’t see why.
The perfect scam
Serial Scammer Targets Hockey League Parents, Part 2
In part two, law enforcement narrows in on Kota Youngblood and his scheme to steal millions of dollars from neighbors and fellow hockey league parents. His cruel lies have many believing that his life and, in some cases, their own lives are in danger from a Mexican drug cartel. The stories are so convincing that some victims are hesitant to talk to the FBI.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Great trivia. The Irish were hated immigrants in this country at one point as they escaped oppression from the English. The “Know Nothings” and others tried to demonize them. They then worked extremely hard to build great businesses and adapted like many other immigrant groups have done. Eventually got into the voting booths and helped push out that hate. It wasn’t all great. They joined in on putting pressure on the next immigrant group. It’s all a cycle. Love each other.
Thank you. My husband is of Sicilain ancestry and I of Polish. NOTHING was more enlightening then visiting these lands and seeing for ourselves the hardships our grandparents endured to come here. My grandparents did tell some stories of the prejudices they endured both here and in Poland. My husbands grandfather basically worked himself to death and never met his name sake. Americans should consider their own family history before demonizing others.
In reference to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks move to fully cashless fee collection May 21. What they don’t tell you is the cost the government pays to use credit cards. Our government helping millionaires and billionaires make more money off the middle class and poor.
With the cuts to staffing it’s the logical thing to do. Someone has to gather all the cash count it and take it to the bank. All that cash also creates a security issue. I know that the head of Inyo National Forest would like to do away with cash because it’s too much work, it’s tough counting cash, but too many of the camp grounds are first come first serve with no cell or internet. I just hate the thought of government workers having to work.
Hmm, you started off with a reasonable–and accurate– comment, and then you jumped the rails. Government workers I know DO work. Or were you being sarcastic? 🙂
Gas $2.37 per gallon at Buc-ees Temple, Tx today
Well Chuck. Which way are you going with gas prices. ? One article screams California prices are going up and another article says opec is driving prices down. I think what you need to say. Is stay away from California. Don’t buy their gas.
I’ve been reading this newsletter for at least 12 years. It used to have fun articles about where to camp, how to fix your RV, campground news, etc. It seems like ever since Covid, every single headline is a downer or bad news. Budget cuts ruining the NPs, closures, high gas prices, people being gored, is there not any good news anymore? I know the world is going to heck in a handbasket, but I’m old and just want to live my remaining years in peace and harmony and I guess put my head in the sand. For the sake of my mental health, I don’t think I can read this newsletter anymore.
Most of the articles are extremely positive with lots of great ideas and reviews. They also add some factual updates related to RV parts, gear, and changes where you will travel. Facts can be tough sometimes
It’s sad where RVTravel is heading. No longer a source of beneficial information. But full of Fear Mongering Opinions.
The most useful is the fuel price information and occasionally info about recalls. I may have to take a detour.
Ya, what he said. I’ve been thinking the same thing.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great weekend and safe travels!