Issue 1232
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Today’s thought
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” —Thornton Wilder
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Greasy Foods Day! Woohoo!
On this day in history: 2001 – Microsoft releases Windows XP, which becomes one of Microsoft’s most successful operating systems.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN NEWS:
When Congress fails to pass a budget, more than 400 national park sites—from Yellowstone to the smallest battlefield—face closures. The impact of the government shutdown on parks is mounting fast. National parks are losing about $1 million every day in entrance and campground fees, and local economies that rely on park visitors are feeling the pinch. Here’s the story.
When outdoor educator Andrew Snow arrived at the campground in Pinnacles National Park, California, in early October, he ran into a problem that highlights the impact of the government shutdown on national parks. The water from the campsite spigot was brown and smelled bad. The camp host explained that a maintenance worker usually flushed the lines every few days but hadn’t been by “because of the federal government shutdown,” Snow said. Continue reading.
Speaking of the shutdown… again… The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is staying open during the federal funding lapse thanks to a patchwork of local support. Communities, nonprofit partners, tribal leaders, and volunteers have stepped in to fund and staff park operations through November 2. This gives visitors continued access while park managers and local leaders monitor the bigger funding picture. Learn more.
As the federal shutdown continues, Colorado is stepping in to fund two visitor centers at Rocky Mountain National Park, which welcomes about 4 million visitors each year. Visitor centers at Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Great Sand Dunes national parks remain closed or limited, and guided tours and some trails are also shut down.
Featured news
Ready to find out what your winter might look like? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just issued the nationwide winter outlook for December 2025 through February 2026. NOAA’s seasonal outlooks don’t replace local forecasts, but they do help you make smart decisions weeks to months ahead. Here are their weather predictions across the U.S.
If you’re an RVer chasing warmer weather or planning a holiday trip to visit family members this winter, Amazon’s Fuel-up Fridays promo is here to help. From October 17 through December 26, 2025, Prime members can get 25¢ off per gallon on one fuel transaction every Friday at participating BP, Amoco, and ampm locations. This will help your wallet! Click here to learn more.
Speaking of Amazon… Amazon is rolling out one of its biggest holiday hiring efforts yet, with 250,000 openings nationwide. That includes many in rural communities that may be right along your travel route. For RVers looking for flexible seasonal work, this is a good opportunity. The jobs for RVers are in fulfillment centers and transportation hubs, alongside full- and part-time positions. Learn more here.
Many Canadians who cross the U.S. land border this year have experienced new procedures at the crossing that weren’t common a few months ago. Several recently published reports describe Canadian travelers (frequently experienced “snowbirds” heading south in their RVs) who were directed to a secondary inspection at land ports of entry. Also, while registering for a stay of more than 30 days, some folks were photographed and fingerprinted. Here’s what you might expect if crossing the border.
Go, Winnebago, go! After a challenging stretch for the RV industry, Winnebago RV sales in 2025 show the company is turning a corner. The outdoor lifestyle brand closed out its fiscal year with a stronger fourth quarter. Now, its leaders say the rebound could lead to more stability in RV prices and new product options heading into 2026.
If you’re following the latest electric camper van news, here’s a big update: General Motors (GM) is ending production of its BrightDrop electric vans. GM CEO Mary Barra told the Detroit Free Press, “The commercial electric van market has been developing much slower than expected, and changes to the regulatory framework and fleet incentives have made the business even more challenging.” Learn more.
Grizzly bears are dying at an alarming rate inside Yellowstone, and humans are mostly responsible. At least 63 bears have been killed so far this year, up from 56 at the same time in 2024. This, according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, which tracks bear deaths in Yellowstone’s federally protected Recovery Zone. The data shows 85 percent of grizzly bear deaths are linked directly to humans. Causes include collisions with cars to hunters mistaking grizzlies for black bears. This is sad.
RV review
Grand Design’s new Foundation line: A look at the 42GD with TWO decks
By Gail Marsh
Grand Design’s new Foundation 42GD is designed as a destination-style trailer. It’s the first in Grand Design’s new Foundation line and leans heavily into residential comforts and outdoor living. The first thing you’ll probably notice is a feature I’ve never seen on a towable: two stacked outdoor decks. (Yes, two!) They’re connected by a spiral staircase (another first, for me). Wow! Check this out.
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
From full-timers to fed up: Why we finally said, “Time for a house”
This week, Nanci Dixon shares more of our readers’ comments regarding the increasing number of inconsiderate campers, and how off-season camping is “the best.” More folks are done with RVing, and senior residents of Florida say it’s difficult for them to plan a year ahead to make reservations. Plus, there’s high praise for Harvest Hosts. All that and more here.
News briefs
UPDATE: Westbound Interstate 90 near Cle Elum, Washington, reopened Friday evening after a semi truck carrying an oversized load struck the Bullfrog Road overpass Tuesday night, creating a westbound I-90 closure. As of Friday morning, that portion of the overpass over I-90 was demolished because the damage was too extensive to repair. RVers and other travelers should plan for upcoming detours and potential delays when the overpass is replaced, which is yet to be determined.
Michigan’s Rockport Recreation Area along Lake Huron could soon become a top destination for RVers. With plans for a 100-site modern campground, cozy lakefront cabins, and expanded trails, this hidden gem is shaping up to be one of the state’s premier RV-friendly Michigan parks, offering everything from fossil hunting to stargazing.
Three popular Coca-Cola sodas have been recalled due to potential metal contamination. Those include select Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola, and Sprite cans in Texas. The FDA says the recalled products could cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences”.
Firefighters in Michigan are urging residents to beware of unexpected fire hazards after an apartment blaze was found to have an unusual cause: an animal nest inside a kitchen exhaust fan. The Ann Arbor Fire Department said that crews responding to an apartment building found the fire burning inside the walls. This is why we tell you to install screens on your RV vents!
Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world’s longest known cave system, has reopened one of its self-guided cave tours courtesy of donations from Friends of Mammoth Cave. Due to the government shutdown, which furloughed much of the park’s staff, nearly all of the cave tours had been put on hold.
Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest will be closed from November 2025 through May 2026 for renovations, according to an Oct. 20 news release from Naventure. The project will “modernize amenities” and improve visitor experience.
Arkansas wildlife officials say a bear euthanized earlier this year was not the one that killed a camper in Newton County. Max Thomas, 60, of Springfield, Missouri, was attacked while camping at Sam’s Throne Campground in the Ozark National Forest. DNA tests later showed a different bear was responsible. Officials are still searching for the correct bear, and the campground remains closed.
The volume of U.S. hotel rooms under construction decreased year-over-year for a ninth consecutive month, according to CoStar’s September 2025 data. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
Visitors to Kentucky State Parks have a new, free mobile app that includes digital maps as well as current information about outdoor recreational opportunities, including camping and hiking. Download it on iOS or Android.
ODD NEWS: A New Orleans family cleaning up their overgrown backyard made an extremely unusual find: Under the weeds was a mysterious marble tablet with Latin characters that included the phrase “spirits of the dead.” Turns out the slab was the 1,900-year-old grave marker of a Roman sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus that had been missing from an Italian museum for decades.
RV and RV-related recalls
• Some Forest River trailers recalled for wiring fire risk
• Thor recalls travel trailers for risk of fire
• Tire size mistake triggers recall of popular Winnebago travel trailers
A common question: Is it okay to stay overnight at a highway rest area?
Reader poll
At this very moment, how far away are you from where you were born?
TELL US: How many U.S. national parks have you visited in your lifetime? Vote here.
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Brain teaser
There’s a red-eyed mummy among the others. Can you find it? Click the image to enlarge.
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Trivia
The state of Alaska is not only the largest state in the country but is also home to the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost points of the United States. Point Barrow is the northernmost point, Little Diomede Island is the westernmost point, and Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutian Islands is the easternmost point. But wait… How is a point in Alaska the most easternmost point? This article explains.
FREE IS GOOD! Don’t forget: Free Krispy Kreme Original Glazed® or Classic Ring Doughnut, no purchase necessary. Just wear any costume into a participating shop TODAY, Sat., Oct. 25, or Thurs., Oct. 31. No tricks, just a free treat!
Laugh of the week
The perfect scam
From Puppies to Heartbreak: How a Pet Scam Targets One Man’s Home
When a couple pulls up to Gene’s North Carolina home looking for their beagle puppy, he is not sure what to make of it. But soon, a steady stream of would-be pet owners arriving in the following days and weeks makes it clear that criminals are using his address to pull off their scams. Gene is patient and helpful with the disappointed families. Even after a fire destroys Gene’s home, the scams continue.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
DON’T DO IT! Never finance an RV for 20 years!
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Wow, puppy scammers, good info