America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1243
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” —Henry David Thoreau
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Houseplant Appreciation Day!
On this day in history: 1901 – New York: Automobile Club of America installs signs on major highways.
RV shows: Dozens are going on this month across the USA. See if there is one near you.
And if you’re in the area, be sure to attend RV tech expert Dave Solberg’s seminars at the Chicago RV Show this weekend. More info here.
Featured news
Zion National Park to prohibit large RVs from traveling through park
Zion National Park will impose new restrictions on oversized vehicles traveling the historic Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway beginning June 7. Park officials say the changes are intended to improve safety, protect historic infrastructure, and reduce traffic delays along the 10.7-mile route. Continue reading.
Workcampers getting younger, challenging older RVers for jobs
Workcamping has long appealed to retired RVers looking to stay active and offset travel costs. Now, a report shows the average age of workcampers is dropping as younger families enter the mix and increase competition for work once dominated by older RVers. Here’s the story.
Putting a sticker on your national park pass could invalidate it
The Department of the Interior says adding stickers or adhesives to an America the Beautiful pass to cover an image they object to can make it invalid—even if the barcode and signature are still visible. The clarification comes as some visitors object to a living politician’s image appearing on the pass, which has traditionally featured scenic designs. Read more.
New “wow” RVs
New futuristic, power-generating RV debuts; recharges the truck towing it
A futuristic new RV is turning heads with a bold promise: it can generate its own power and even recharge the truck towing it. Debuting at CES 2026, this high-tech trailer is designed for long off-grid stays, EV tow vehicles, and a very different vision of boondocking. Is it the future of RV travel? Take a closer look.
Bowlus unveils 2026 Endless Highways Frontier Edition travel trailer
Bowlus introduced its 2026 Endless Highways Frontier Edition recently. The new model combines off-grid capability with a suite of standard packages and options designed for varied terrain and extended stays without hookups. Plus, it’s beautiful!
More news for RVers:
For RVers planning trips to national parks, the national park funding impact on RV travelers most often shows up in practical ways, including campground access, staffing levels, and the availability of basic services on arrival. A Senate-approved appropriations package now preserves core funding and staffing for the National Park Service. It avoids cuts that could have disrupted park operations.
HAPPENING NOW: Reservations for the 2026 camping season along the Blue Ridge Parkway will open at 10 a.m. EST this morning (Saturday, January 10). Sites often fill quickly, particularly for weekends and holidays. More info here.
Pickup trucks continue to dominate the U.S. used-vehicle market, led once again by the Ford F-150, which remains the best-selling used vehicle in America. The findings are based on an iSeeCars analysis of more than 9 million used vehicle sales. Here’s more info.
Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers in Eloy, Arizona, and Milan Township, Ohio, with two newly opened travel stops. One has RV hookup sites, one does not, but both have dog parks. In 2025, Love’s added 18 new locations.
Across 2025, more than 80,000 RVs were recalled for various safety defects. Here are the December 2025 recalls. Is your RV on the list?
A New Jersey couple’s RV trip turned tragic in Dunn, North Carolina, when their motorhome caught fire while parked at a convenience store last Sunday afternoon—a reminder of how quickly an ordinary stop can turn into an emergency.
Former Camping World and Good Sam Club CEO Marcus Lemonis has been named the CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond. Lemonis plans to relaunch 300 stores and expand beyond household goods, adding high-margin services like warranties, insurance products and financing tools. (Sound familiar?)
Reservations by Canadian snowbirds are down sharply at parks across the U.S. Sunbelt this winter. Last winter Canadians accounted for about 8% of the winter business at Applebrook RV Resorts‘ six Florida RV properties. “For this season, we anticipate that this business will decline to 3%,” said CEO Richard O’Brien. —Woodall’s Campground Management
SOMETHING TO CROAK ABOUT: Do not worry if you are caught speeding in Utah—you will not be pulled over by a frog. The rumor originated in Heber City, where an AI-generated police report claimed that one of its officers had been transformed into a frog.
RV review
A look at the 2026 Lost Pines Hemlock destination trailer—RV or house?
By Gail Marsh
Recently, I posted an article asking which is better for long-term living: an RV or a tiny home? One reader responded, “What about RV destination trailers?” So, let’s take a look at Forest River’s Lost Pines lineup of destination trailers. These RVs can be moved to your permanent location and are intended to be used full-time or for extended stays. Let’s focus on the Hemlock, which could easily be someone’s full-time home.
News briefs
The water pumps at Oak Spring in Texas’ Big Bend National Park failed completely on December 23. The pumps supply water to the Chisos Basin developed area from Oak Spring, the area’s only water source. Repairs are expected to take at least several weeks.
The original Love’s Travel Stops location in Watonga, Oklahoma, which opened in 1964 when Tom Love took over an abandoned gas station, will be converted into a museum honoring the Love family and the company’s growth from a single store to more than 600 locations in 42 states.
The California Highway Patrol recently came to the rescue of two pigs along the highway in Tracy, California. One pig was wild, the other one domestic. Neither belonged along the road where a speeding vehicle could instantly transform them into ingredients for a ham sandwich. Two CHP officers herded the porkers to the side of the road, where they could root for food under safer circumstances.
California now has 68% more electric vehicle (EV) charging ports than gas pumps statewide, according to the California Energy Commission (CEC). That’s 201,180 publicly available and shared EV charging ports. EV chargers can be found at convenience stores such as Love’s Travel Stops, Jacksons Food Stores, 7-Eleven, Circle K and more. They are also available at various grocery stores, parking lots, workplaces and sports facilities.
Another section of U.S. Highway 2 in Washington state reopened January 4 following damage from historic storms. The newly opened road provides west-side access between Skykomish and the Stevens Pass Ski Resort. East of Stevens Pass, from milepost 50 to 64, is now open in both directions until 6 p.m.
Speaking of Washington state… Washington is often called the most waterfall-rich state in the country, with nearly 3,000 waterfalls to explore.
State Route 148 through Utah’s Cedar Breaks National Monument has entered its routine seasonal winter closure. Snowmobile use is now permitted on the designated, marked route that follows the roadway.
Whispering Pines Nudist Resort in Brunswick County, North Carolina, wants to add 12 more sites to its current 57 RV sites to total 69. The county has not yet said yea or nay on the expansion. Did you know that 32 percent of RVtravel.com readers have either stayed at a nudist resort with their RV or would consider it? It’s true!
Ice has formed on the upper cables and towers of Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge, which could force traffic closures. Ice chunks, sheets, and spears that fall from the bridge’s towers and cables have damaged vehicles and could injure or kill occupants. If you plan to cross the bridge, check here or tune to AM radio 530 or 1610 when you get close.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area began a significant road improvement project on Willow Beach Road on January 5, 2026, with construction anticipated to conclude by mid-March.
A new study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that women had a statistically significantly higher risk of injury than men in 26% of 150 vehicular crash models.
The west entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, including the restrooms, will close to inbound and outbound traffic from 6 a.m., Jan. 12 (Monday), through 7 a.m., Jan. 17. Park Boulevard will also close to vehicle traffic for six miles from the west entrance to Quail Springs Picnic Area. All other park roads are expected to remain open.
… And up north, Generals Highway is closed for the winter in Sequoia National Park between Wuksachi Lodge and Montecito Lodge. It is not possible to drive between Grant Grove/General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park and Giant Forest and General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park. The closed section usually opens in late March.
Critters, rejoice! The Arizona Department of Transportation is building a wildlife overpass and fence along Interstate 17 between Kelly Canyon and Munds Park (mileposts 322-331) south of Flagstaff. The project is expected to be completed this coming fall.
Parking passes are now available for the 2026 Rhode Island State Beach season. Get resident, non-resident, or senior (65+) parking passes online at beachparkingri.com. Physical passes are no longer used for entry in favor of license plate identification.
The huge, free Quartzsite, Ariz., RV Show begins next Saturday, Jan. 17. No reservations are needed to boondock on the BLM public lands that surround town. Just follow any makeshift dirt road into the desert and park where you like for free for up to two weeks. The RV show continues through Jan. 25.
Sears appears to be nearing the end of its life, according to The New York Times. Only five stores remain. Years of changing shopping habits, online competition, and failed turnaround efforts proved too much. At its peak in the 1950s and 1960s, Sears employed as many as 350,000 people.
Most dogs excel at action commands but struggle to remember the names of objects. New research shows some dogs can learn the names of new objects simply by overhearing their owners talk about them. In a study of 10 dogs, seven successfully identified and retrieved a new toy after passively listening to conversations alone.
Reader poll
Do you think campground quiet hours are taken seriously enough?
TAKE A GUESS: Most RVers carry their owner’s manual and important documents in their glove compartment, but what’s the third most common item found in RVtravel.com readers’ glove boxes? Is it: napkins or tissues? A first aid kit? Charging cables? Or a flashlight? Find out here.
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Brain teaser
Nate finds that by wearing different combinations of the jackets, shirts, and pairs of pants that he owns, he can create ninety different outfits. If he owns five jackets and three pairs of pants, how many shirts does he own?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
We could use your help!
For 25 years, RVtravel.com has been part of your RVing life, and we’re deeply grateful. Over the years, a small number of readers (including you) — about 6% — have chosen to support our work financially, often with a modest $5 or $10 gift. Every one of those contributions has mattered to us.
Today, we’re asking for your help again. Changes at Google have sharply reduced search traffic to small, independent websites like ours, making it harder for us to reach readers the way we once did.
If you find value in what we do, any contribution you’re able to make is sincerely appreciated. Even a small monthly pledge helps us continue publishing honest, helpful newsletters every day of the week — written by real people who just happen to be real RVers. Here’s where to chip in. Thank you! Chuck/publisher
Trivia
In 1930, Mickey Mouse’s dog, Pluto, was known as Rover. A year later, he became Pluto. Disney animator Ben Sharpsteen said the character’s original name, Rover, was changed because it felt too common, though he couldn’t recall the exact reason. Some animators later speculated the name Pluto was inspired by the newly discovered planet. But animation historian John Canemaker says Walt Disney simply named the character after a dog he once owned.
Laugh of the week
We have shown you this before, but it’s been a while. This four-minute clip from “The Simpsons” shows Homer and the family at Bob’s RV Roundup to buy a motorhome. We howl every time we watch this. You will, too. Soooooo funny!
The perfect scam
Archive Episode: Recent MBA Wakes Up From Dream Work-From-Home Job
Remote work, which became popular during the pandemic, is now commonplace. Criminals, alas, are paying attention. In this episode, a recent MBA graduate lands what feels like her dream job at a startup that advocates for women’s empowerment. The company culture is great, and the job is interesting. But when her paychecks arrive, she suspects the job is too good to be true.
FREE IS GOOD! The 2026 Camping, Glamping and Travel Guide to Missouri is available free in the state and at some locations elsewhere. Or you can send for the printed edition by mail at MoCampingGlampingTravel.com where the digital edition is instantly available.
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.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS ISSUE? Please help us continue to bring you quality, unbiased coverage of RVing with a voluntary pledge.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
The best thing about the rise of AI, is the jarring awareness that soon you will not be able to tell informative from manipulative. That painful awareness should spur you to donate at least $5 a month to the production of this newsletter. These are real people spending their precious hours producing something that is as unique as a person with no tattoos or piercings. Eventually the value of human created content will be in great demand again. Until then, let’s not be the drivers of an extinction event. My time may not be worth anything, but theirs is.
Well said!
Thanks, I don’t have any tattoos or fishhooks on my face. Why would one put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari?
Thank you, Clutch. We appreciate your kind words and your support, and we appreciate YOU! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Happy to contribute!
Thank you, Sally! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
The Simpsons’ clip was a hoot. Thanks for the chuckles.
I think I shopped at Bob’s RV in the past.
Looking at the Evotrex I flashed back to the reason I maintain my older truck for towing. I can hear folks wishing the trailer didn’t have all the “gimmicks and electronics” that always break down and require “techs” to fix. Of course to many RV’ers “money is no object”, so I guess they would just say “fix it”. Going to be interesting what comes down the road in the future!!
Yesterday I had the unfortunate need to visit a walk-in clinic due to a swollen knee and area behind it. The technician asked me if it was alright if he turned on AI. I asked him “…what does that do?” He advised it hears the conversation and saves him the time and effort of typing in similar info! Seems to me, he and they, are trying very hard to eliminate their jobs. Appears, we will soon be able to visit an AI info. site and get the med info – tailored to our specific needs based on past AI records. Wonder if the medical profession has any “frogs” chirping in the corner – how about a chirping “cricket”? (The knee appears to be fluid & something called a “Bakers Wart”.)
Hi, Doug. I had never heard of “Bakers Wart” before so looked it up. A Baker’s cyst aka wart is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee, caused by synovial fluid building up. That’s the lubricating fluid in your joints that helps reduce friction. When there’s too much synovial fluid, it can swell and form a Baker’s cyst/wart. It can be caused by various conditions such as arthritis or a knee injury. I hope you can get it treated or that it goes away soon, Doug, and that you’re not in too much pain in the meantime. Have a great day.🤗 –Diane
It’s actually called a Bakers Cyst or Popliteal cyst. I had one when I was younger due to severely twisting my knee while skiing.
At that time the doctor inserted a needle and drained the excess fluid. OUCH!!
I had to wear a special compression brace for a few months.
Now the treatment is rest, cold compresses, compression bandages and maybe steroids.
Thanks, Bob. I saw that aspiration (draining the fluid) was one of the treatments. Ouch is right! I also wondered where the name came from. It was named after the 19th-century British surgeon Dr. William M. Baker, who was the first to describe this condition. I have problems with both knees but haven’t encountered this one yet, luckily. Take care. 😀 –Diane
Once per year, I receive an injection of Synvisc in both knees, as in “Synovial”. I highly recommend…. IMHO, it is Magic. I could sell the stuff i believe in it so much. It may not work for everyone but for me, I have delayed knee replacement for over a decade and have almost zero pain. Just a suggestion Diane, Doug or anyone else unfamiliar.
Get well Doug!
✌️😎
Thanks, CP. My doctor told me when I was 12 (67 years ago!) that my knees were already deteriorating, so “no running and no downhill skiing.” Then, when my dog broke my knee a few years ago, the doctor said I’d need knee replacement soon. Well, I still have the original equipment, and still walk 1.5 miles at the local track every day, so I’m feeling very fortunate. However, one knee is getting a little “cranky,” so I’m not sure how much longer I can put off replacement. But I’ve noted your recommendation, and will check with the doctor about that option. Have a great day, and a terrific 2026, Cancel.🤗 –Diane
If Synvisc shots don’t work for you, I would reimburse the expense but for the fact Medicare should cover it.
I hope your doctor says “why not?…., can’t hurt to try….. lets go for it”, versus “I make wayyyy more money on a knee replacement”
Happy new year my friend.😘
Thanks, CP.👍😊 –Diane aka MM aka BS
Thank you Cancel – and Diane too – I fully intend to get this over with! Also, what caused or why are the “Synovial” injections necessary? I have no idea what caused this cyst thing – no injury or twisting etc.. The tech did mention the fluid needle drain and an option if the Prednisone doesn’t work. At least we are having, so far, another mild winter with minimal shoveling or blowing of snow removal.
I believe (not a doctor) that the Synvisc is a thick gelatinous like product to lubricate/cushion and reduce the bone on bone arthritis pain. I also understand that it is a product derived from rooster comb….
I have no idea if it would benefit your condition, Doug but I know for my knee condition it is magical.
Happy New Year, friend.
✌️😎
Just to clarify, when California claims to have 68% more electric vehicle (EV) charging ports than gas pumps, they are counting private in-home chargers, of which there are almost one million. “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” -Mark Twain
And even if there were a comparable of public chargers, until you can charge in 5 minutes, EVs are impractical for a majority of drivers.
Did you forget that its Sir Rod Stewart?
Hi, William. I don’t see what you’re referring to.🤔 Let me know and I’ll fix it, if necessary. Thanks. –Diane at RVtravel.com