Issue 1227
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Today’s thought
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fried Rice Day, National Pepperoni Pizza Day, AND National String Cheese Day! (How could we choose?!)
On this day in history: 1893 – Charles Duryea and his brother road-test the first American-made gasoline-powered automobile.
COMING TOMORROW IN CHUCK WOODBURY’S ROADSIDE JOURNAL: The technology is here when you can talk to your dead parents using A.I.
Featured news
Lazydays Holdings, Inc. is making headlines as it moves toward a sale. The company announced on September 16th that it has entered into a letter of intent to be acquired by Campers Inn RV, the nation’s largest family-operated RV dealership group. The expected acquisition signals a major shift in the RV dealership landscape and comes after years of customer service challenges at Lazydays. Learn more.
Is now the right time to buy an RV? RV pricing updates and dealership performance can be tough to track, but when Camping World—the nation’s largest RV dealer—reveals its sales data, everyone in the market pays attention. Its public earnings paint a clear picture not just of its sales, but the entire RV market’s health, trends, and real affordability. Here’s what Camping World’s insights reveal.
RVers heading to national parks this fall should keep an eye on potential government shutdowns. With the federal fiscal year ending September 30, park operations could be affected. These issues could affect not only overnight stays but also access to popular scenic drives, trailheads, and parking areas for larger RVs. Here’s what a shutdown could look like.
THOSE MONKEYS ARE DRUNK! UC Berkeley researchers found wild chimpanzees eat enough fermented fruit to equal nearly two alcoholic drinks a day. By analyzing fruit in Uganda and Ivory Coast, the team discovered chimps regularly consume about 14 grams of ethanol daily—roughly one standard drink for humans, or nearly two when adjusted for their smaller body size.
So far this year, geologists at Yellowstone National Park have pulled more than 300 lost hats from the famous hot springs. In addition, the crew has collected more than 13,000 pieces of trash. Notable rescues included a Birkenstock sandal, a stuffed koala doll, a fake Louis Vuitton bucket hat, and a baseball cap with the phrase “I PEE IN THE LAKE” embossed on it. And then there was a pizza box with slices still inside, presumably already pre-heated. Check this out.
A Bay County, Florida, property dispute drew attention from neighbors and the RV community, ending in a compromise that lets Camping World continue RV storage at a controversial site while limiting impacts on nearby homes. After county enforcement ordered their removal, the company applied to rezone the property for commercial use. Continue reading.
If you’re RVing along Interstate 40 in Oklahoma, the newly rebuilt Love’s Travel Stop in Seminole (Exit 200 at Highway 99) could be worth a stop. The travel center now features seven dedicated RV parking spaces with 30-amp and 50-amp electric hookups, on-site water and sewer, Wi-Fi, and a dog park. Learn more.
ARE MILK PRODUCERS DECEIVING YOU? If you have been to a supermarket lately, you know very well that the cost of just about everything has gone way up. It’s getting ridiculous! Now, I (Chuck) need you to do something for me. Check out the photo at the top of this article. What you are likely not noticing is that one of the milk companies is pulling a fast one. This could be happening to you, too!
If you’ve ever been shocked by the price of a replacement RV power cord, imagine losing 40 of them. That’s what ET Quality RV in Yuba City, California, has been dealing with after a cable thief made off with thousands of dollars’ worth of cords and equipment. Not good!
The National Park Service reports the first bear attack in Yellowstone National Park since 2021. The solo hiker, a 29-year-old man, was injured on the Turbid Lake Trail, on the northeastern side of Yellowstone Lake. He suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm. According to the park’s statement and reporting, the hiker deployed bear spray, but the bear still made contact.
Have you ever been camping and felt like the mosquitoes made a beeline for you while leaving your neighbor unbothered? Factors such as body chemistry, geography, and even daily habits all seem to play a role. Now, new research adds one more clue—beer drinkers may be more likely to end up on the menu. A direct association between beer and mosquito bites might change your beverage choice.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN? Park officials at the Gettysburg Monument are asking for the public’s help after someone carved initials into a bronze plaque on Little Round Top. The vandalism defaced the 44th New York Infantry Monument (sometimes referred to as the “castle”). Can you help identify the suspect?
RV review
This fifth wheel trailer may be the most impressive towable RV ever!
By Chuck Woodbury
This 2026 Brinkley Model G 4150 trailer is not just big, it’s a huge monster of a house that has wheels so you can tow it places. Do not ever tell me that this is for camping. Maybe on another planet, but not on the planet where I live. This looks like a house!
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
How RVers find their perfect campsite in our changing times
By Nanci Dixon
Once again, thanks for all the emails this week. There was a common theme about the type of campsites people like and are booking. And the emails this week definitely moved away from RV resorts, both for expense and overcrowding. Continue reading.
RV feature review
German RV makers unveil incredible sliding bathrooms in Class B vans
By Gail Marsh
If you love van life but dislike feeling like you’re living inside a shoebox, German engineering has developed amazing whole-room sliding and transformable bathroom modules. The most talked-about is Bürstner’s new Habiton. It has a patented bathroom module that slides forward or backward and automatically rearranges itself. The mechanism fits into a typical Mercedes van and allows for full-length beds, a usable dinette, and a real shower. Check this out.
News briefs
2025 has been a year of challenges for the National Park Service as it balances budget cuts with an ever-increasing number of park visitors. National Public Lands Day, September 27, 2025, is a day RVers can repay parks by volunteering. Here are just a few of the many ways you could help next Saturday.
A Peanut M&M truck crash in New Jersey turned part of Interstate 80 into a sticky scene. Around 10:15 p.m., the fully loaded rig rear-ended a parked trailer on I-80 West in Warren County. The collision ripped open both trailers, sending bags and boxes of candy exploding across the asphalt. Free crushed M&Ms, anyone?
ODD NEWS: A team of researchers from Japan wondered if painting cows with zebralike stripes would prevent flies from biting them. So they painted some cows. The result was fewer flies were attracted to the cows, and they seemed less bothered.
Three months after three young sisters were found dead in the Rock Island Campground in Washington’s Cascade mountains, authorities say they have likely located the remains of their father, Travis Decker, who is believed to have killed them. Here’s what we know so far.
RECALL: Forest River recalls 2025–2026 RV models for fire hazard. Learn more.
The 2025 Hershey RV Show, which is also called America’s Largest RV Show, drew a crowd of 45,813 during its September 10 to 14 run, down about 2,000 from the 2024 event. Nearly 1,500 recreational vehicles were displayed and 180 booth vendors showed off their products and services. A good time was had by all.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Mario brought significant rainfall to Death Valley National Park Thursday night. Furnace Creek received 0.6 inches. The following roads are closed due to storm damage: Badwater Road, North Highway, West Side Road, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, Cottonwood – Marble Roads, Mustard Canyon, and Keane Wonder Mine Road.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day-use fees at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches on Saturday, September 27, for National Public Lands Day. Campers will pay the usual.
BUMPER SNICKER: “Poor Gas Mileage for a Vehicle, Great for a Home”
Reader poll
Have you ever been a work camper?
Polls from the past week:
- Do you own a cowboy hat?
- If you have an outdoor TV on your RV, how often do you watch it?
- Have you ever had your RV’s black tank professionally cleaned?
- When relaxing outside your RV in an RV park, do you like it when others stop to talk?
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Brain teaser
I have two legs but they only touch the ground when I rest. What am I?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Trivia
The 3 Musketeers candy bar was originally split into three pieces with three different flavors: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. When the other flavors became harder to come by during World War II, Mars decided to stick with all chocolate.
Laugh of the week
How many opticians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Is it one or two? One… or two? One… or two?
The perfect scam
The Crypto Detectives: Tracking Down Stolen Funds
Online criminals love cryptocurrency for many reasons – it’s anonymous, can’t be traced, and payments are irreversible. So when Paul discovers he has been targeted by a crypto scam and the thieves have stolen $450,000, he is resigned to the fact that he may never see that money again. That is, until an online search leads him to Wisconsin police detective Scott Simons. Following the trail of the stolen money, Detective Simons traces it to a private crypto wallet and eventually recovers $80,000 of Paul’s money. Detective Simons works with the non-profit Operation Shamrock to offer hope to scam victims and fight transnational organized crime.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Downsizing of package contents has been going on for years on all food products from cereal to frozen products!
Detergent, etc. Gotta watch those “new and improved” product packaging.
Still thinking about those drunk monkeys in Uganda. What a morning vision.
We wanted to replace our 10-cup B&D coffee maker with a 12-cup. When we got the new one home, we discovered that B&D had simply redefined a “cup” from 6 oz. to 5oz. Same machine, just different markings. Nice!
On your Brain Teaser – I’m so short that when I rest my feet never touch the ground…but I doubt that’s your answer! lol
Bought a bag of coffee that was marked 10.5 oz and cost $13.49. That would make a full pound of coffee over $20 a pound. Geeeeeezzzzz
I found nothing to snicker about in today’s Bumper Snicker. In fact, I don’t get it at all. What am I missing?
This how I took it…..It is our home. Most homes, do not get good fuel mileage…..as most houses do not move! 🙂
I can highly recommend Fair Life milk. It costs a little more but has a shelf life of 2 to 3 months and low lactaid.
Someone should offer them “an offer they can’t refuse” or call 1-800- LUCA. Todays criminals don’t respond to a Lawyer or jail. They do respond to “old school” requests.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great week and safe travels!