Issue 1212
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for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” —John Keats
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Trails Day! Go for a walk or a hike on a new trail. Here’s an easy way using Google Maps to find one near you.
On this day in history: 1929 – The Lateran Treaty is ratified, bringing Vatican City into existence.
Featured news
If you have plans to stay at a KOA, heads up! Once known for its flexible cancellation policy, the big campground giant quietly changed all that. Need to cancel your reservation? Well, for starters, you can’t do it last-minute anymore. KOA’s new cancellation policy could cost you dearly. Here’s the “new and improved” policy.
Do not, we repeat, DO NOT, let this happen to you! A woman in Texas has died after contracting a rare infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba, which she encountered while using her RV’s tap water to rinse her sinuses at a campground. The CDC detailed the case in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, released last Thursday. The woman, who was 71 years old and otherwise healthy, developed severe symptoms within days. Here’s the story.
Over the last few months, we’ve covered how budget cutting and staff shortages have affected our national parks. A frequent comment that we see from readers runs something like this: “We just visited XXX National Park, and things looked good to us. The bathrooms were clean, trash cans emptied, no understaffing.” Yes, the front-facing part of our nation’s parks may indeed look sparkly clean. But there’s another side of the cuts that you don’t see… until you do.
Looking to sign up for satellite service from Starlink? Look out, if you’re in one of these states. The internet service provider is now demanding a Starlink demand surcharge of $500 in some high-use areas. That’s more than the cost of the equipment! Learn more about these surcharges here.
The summer driving season is underway, and while gas prices normally peak this time of year, drivers are getting a reprieve. The national average price of a gallon of regular is $3.14, down two cents from last week. Pump prices are 36 cents cheaper than last June, thanks to this year’s consistently low crude oil prices. June gas prices haven’t been this low since 2021.
If your RV adventures take you down Nevada’s scenic two-lane highways, expect to see new roadside reminders to flip on your headlights—no matter the time of day. The Nevada Department of Transportation is installing “Daytime Headlights Required” signs well ahead of a 2028 mandate. More about the soon-to-be law here.
A new high-tech glamping resort plans to open in North Carolina soon, but get this… no humans required! That’s right, the resort will be run by robots, and those robots will deliver drinks to your RV, staff the resort’s store, and pick up your trash. Another catch? You won’t bring your RV here—you’ll be sleeping in a treehouse, or in one of their rental RVs. Wrap your brain around this!
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
Why RVers say dogs and their owners are ruining campgrounds
Last week’s column was all about pet peeves—and “pet” peeves seemed to top the list. This week Nanci Dixon shares more comments from our readers regarding how dogs and their owners are negatively impacting their camping experiences. Also, why do some campers feel so entitled that they leave their trash for someone else to deal with? Read more, and feel free to vent if you need to.
News briefs
Keystone RV has unveiled a major rebrand under the slogan “Proven in the Wild™,” complete with a new logo and marketing push. But critics—and frustrated customers—say the company might be better off focusing on build quality instead of branding. Recent recalls and ongoing quality issues, like leaky connections and faulty components, leave some RVers unimpressed by the cosmetic rebrand.
The driver of a Dodge Ram pickup that demolished a tour van near Idaho’s Yellowstone National Park on May 1, killing seven, was way over the limit for alcohol consumption and had a blood alcohol level of 0.20, two-and-a-half times the state’s legal limit of 0.08. The driver, 27-year-old Isaiah Moreno, a resident of Humble, Texas, died in the incident, along with six passengers in the tour van he hit. More here.
It’s still not over! What started as what one side says is a bold patriotic gesture has now become a full-blown legal battle. The City of Greenville, North Carolina, has officially filed a lawsuit against Camping World over a massive American flag flying high above its dealership. If you’ve been following along, here’s the update.
An Ohio Jellystone Park has become the first in the nation to build a full-scale water park… for dogs. Yes, dogs. It’s packed with fun features tailored to canine campers: water-spraying fire hydrants, fountains that shoot out of giant tennis balls and dog bowls, plus an agility course and open space to run and play. “We’ve never had anything like this before,” said Trent Hershenson, marketing VP for Camp Jellystone. Yeah, you could say that!
This week, RV giant Winnebago reported some financial news for its investors. Winnebago gave an early look at its financial results for the quarter that ended May 31, 2025. They’re expecting to bring in about $775 million in revenue, with profits per share between $0.55 and $0.65. That profit range is lower than many investors were expecting, and Winnebago knows it. They’re warning that things have slowed down…
FUNNY: Break-in at the Apple store! Police are looking for iWitnesses.
If you’re planning an RV trip to Yellowstone National Park this summer, it’s important to note that Biscuit Basin, a popular geothermal area, remains closed for the 2025 season. This closure follows a significant hydrothermal explosion that occurred last July at the Black Diamond Pool. More info here.
Are you ready for an FRVA (Family RV Association) rally? The relatively newly branded group (earlier known as the Family Motor Coach Association—FMCA) wants to broaden its membership. Part of the plan is to continue with its tradition of big rallies. One is coming up soon—and more are scheduled. FRVA rallies are hoped to be a catalyst to reviving the club.
Last Friday, May 30, 2025, just before dawn, a tractor-trailer hauling roughly 70,000 pounds of honeybee hives overturned on Weidkamp Road near Lynden, Washington. The accident resulted in spilling an estimated 250 million bees into nearby fields and roadsides. Yikes!!
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is inviting resident and nonresident anglers of all ages to participate in Free Fishing Weekend. Today and tomorrow, anyone can fish for free. Fishing license and Habitat Stamp requirements will be waived.
RECALL: Forest River is recalling certain 2025 Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The side entry gate latch may become unlocked, allowing the strut to open the gate during transit. Learn more.
Reader poll
Do you primarily use your RV for camping, traveling or living?
TAKE A GUESS: What type of road do RVtravel.com readers dislike driving the most? A) Urban/City roads; B) Snowy/Icy roads; C) Dirt roads; or D) Windy mountain roads. See if your guess is right.
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of fuel as of June 2, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.13. Down 3 cents from last week; down 39 cents from last year.
Diesel: $3.45. Down 4 cents from last week; down 28 cents from last year.
• The state with the most expensive gas: California, $4.76
• The state with the least expensive gas: Mississippi, $2.65
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Brain teaser
Three men are lined up behind each other. The tallest man is in the back and can see the heads of the two in front of him; the middle man can see the one man in front of him; the man in front can’t see anyone. They are blindfolded and hats are placed on their heads, picked from three black hats and two white hats. The extra two hats are hidden and the blindfolds removed. The tallest man is asked if he knows what color hat he’s wearing; he doesn’t. The middle man is asked if he knows; he doesn’t. But the man in front, who can’t see anyone, says he knows. How does he know, and what color hat is he wearing?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Trivia
The origin of the word paparazzi from the book, Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson:
paparazzi. “This word is usually encountered in the plural, like the swarms of free-lance, celebrity-chasing photographers that it describes. Few people know that the Italian word comes directly from the name of Signore Paparazzo, a photographer in Federico Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita (1960). The fictional character’s name, in turn, came from an Italian dialect word for a particularly noisy, buzzing mosquito. Fellini had known a boy nicknamed Paparazzo (Mosquito) during his school days and the restless boy’s fast, buzzing talk and constant movement put the director in mind of the photographer to whom he gave his name.”
Laugh of the week
The perfect scam
Archive Episode: Courage of Steele, Part 1: Housekeeper Turned Caregiver Steals Homes
In this 2021 episode, after 72-year-old Steve Steele’s life partner passes away, his housekeeper, Elizabeth, offers to work as his caregiver. Over time, Elizabeth takes over Steve’s finances, even persuading him to deed her his homes. It all comes to a head one Christmas Eve, when Elizabeth accuses Steve, who can hardly stand or walk, of assault, and the police cart him off to jail for months. When the public defender’s investigator meets Steve, though, she quickly senses this is elder abuse. The judge agrees and releases Steve, but now he faces an even bigger battle: How does he get his homes back? And will Elizabeth be held accountable for her crimes?
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
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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I fail to understand why the Greenville government considers a flag flying on private property is a problem worthy of spending taxpayers money to deal with. In my humble opinion they are just being bullies at taxpayer expense.
In this case I believe the bully is not the city, but Lemonis. He knew that his large flag was larger than was legally allowed without permission. He didn’t ask for permission, he just installed it. He has said that I will do what I want to do regardless of any community rules. Greensboro does not like to be bullied. I like large flags but in this case I agree with the city.
Height ordinance. They most likely don’t care how big the flag is but the flag pole must comply with the city height restrictions.
Both height and size are in violation of city ordinance.
If one chooses to have a business or live in a place, it is incumbent on that person to know and follow its laws and rules. If those laws and rules are an encumbrance, then one is free to go elsewhere. Greenville’s laws were in place well ahead of Camping World’s arrival. It is nonsensical to assert that Greenville should change. Instead Camping World should comply or go where it is able to act more in keeping with its pleasure. Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂
Could not agree more with you on this, Neal. I do however applaud Lemonis for getting so much attention for so little cost. I’m no fan of Lemonis but I am a fan of ROI and this marketing move is good ROI.
Happy trails Neal. ✌️
A true patriot follows the laws of our country, state and local government. Those elected by the people of Greenville passed this law. A true patriot can question and attempt to change but should not break the law. I am upset of the use of our venerated flag as an advertisement tool
RE RVFA Convention. The next one is in Gillette, WY on July 16 – 19. I will be there giving seminars on Tires in RV application (2) and on the hobby of Genealogy (4). If you are going, Stop by and say “Hi”.
Lemonis should have swapped it out for with a Pride flag for June….. just to check on the consistency of the messaging from the community leaders. A BETA test of sorts.
No government regulation should exist on the freedom of flying a flag of any size! Period!
As long as it’s a good ol’ USA flag!
I am not fan of Marcus Lemonis but nobody should be punished for flying Old Glory!
That is great news for travelers on fuel prices, thanks for posting this.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! I haven’t any idea of the software(s) available to you, but Saturday and Sunday issues seem notable accomplishment each week, given the volume of news they invariably contain. Have a great weekend and safe travels!