Issue 1328
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.
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Today’s thought
“Here’s to books, the cheapest vacation you can buy.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Blueberry Pie Day!
New Facebook Group: How the coronavirus is impacting RVers. Learn about park closings, cancelled rallies and RV shows — and more. Your input requested.
If you are a member of an RV club or are affiliated with an RV-related event would you please let us know if its gatherings, meetings, etc., are cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus? We’ll pass along the info to our readers. We appreciate any news related to RVing that’s being affected by the virus. Please submit it here. Thank you!
RV Life in a Coronavirus World: “What we are experiencing is grief”
We have asked RVtravel.com readers to tell us how they are adapting to life these days.
“I read that what we are experiencing during self-isolation days is grief. It makes sense. I am healthy and, by avoiding mirrors or accidentally twirling my phone camera towards me, I can be in denial that I am in a high-risk category, aka over the 65 hill. Knowing it is grief and experiencing it are two different things. A feeling that caught me by surprise upon reading my friend’s account of her COVID-19 days…” Continue reading Beck’s story.
Tip of the Day
How to keep your RV absorption fridge running efficiently
By Chris Dougherty
RVers are fortunate to enjoy a wonderful lifestyle – and the equipment that makes it possible. One such piece of technology is the RV absorption refrigerator. While it is not my intention to give a detailed breakdown of these units, there are some things the RVer can do to help keep the refrigerator running at peak efficiency for many years. Learn more.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Don’t be stuck in the dark!
This 6-pack of tiny, battery-powered LED “Button Lamps” is just what you need for your RV’s closets and storage spaces. The tiny lamp is ultra-bright and has all the power of a normal-sized lamp. Backed with a strong adhesive, these little lamps will stick to any surface. They’re waterproof and good to have in case of an emergency. Learn more or order.
RV Mods: Here’s a use for your fridge front!
RVers live in small spaces, and making all that we can of that space just makes sense. Much has been said about increasing kitchen storage capacity by adding extra shelves, conquering “dead space” and using your microwave oven as a storage area. But here’s an area that’s rarely thought of: the front of your RV refrigerator. Read more.
Yesterday’s featured article: Will weight on rear of RV trailer off-balance the rig?
Reader poll
In normal times, how often do you shop at a thrift shop?
Please respond here, and see how others have responded.
Quick Tip
Don’t let your tire pressure get low
Tire load ratings are great – provided you keep the tire at the recommended inflation rate. If the tire pressure is low, forget the weight ratings – you’re playing with fire in the form of excessive tire heat that can blow your tire in flight.
Strengthen your hands, fingers and forearms
Here’s a great, easy way to build up the strength in your hands, fingers or forearms. Perfect for RVers. If you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or tennis elbow this is for you. It’s also great for simply building up the strength of your grip. This is a best seller and costs about $8. Learn more or order.
Random RV Thought
If you are stuck at home and you have a yard, how about planting a garden? You can plant pretty flowers or, even better, some veggies for you or your friends or family. The difference between a store-bought tomato and one grown in your garden is night and day. Homegrown is so much better!
RV oven boil-overs? Fear not, with this easy fix!
One of the “joys” of being the RV hubby is the occasional opportunity to perform in the kitchen. When we get out on the road, hitting roadside farmers’ markets and fruit stands is a mainstay. When we get back to the rig, who can resist building a fruit pie? Nobody – until they think of boiled-over pies, burnt onto the bottom of the oven. Continue reading.
Website of the day
Jaw-dropping sand dunes in the U.S.
Here’s a list from Travel Channel of the most jaw-dropping sand dunes across the country. How many have you visited?
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 61 percent never buy a local newspaper when on the road
• 65 percent get a flu shot every year
• 32 percent pay to store their RV when they’re not using it
Recent poll: How would you describe your mental health in these times?
Coronavirus News Update
Coronavirus News Update
Can I walk my dog during the pandemic?
From the CDC: Walking a dog is important for both animal and human health and well-being. Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet from other people and animals, do not gather in groups, and stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings. Do not go to dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather. To help maintain social distancing, do not let other people pet your dog when you are out for a walk.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who holds Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degrees, has been working at a long-term care facility in Canada to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has extended the state’s stay-at-home order until May 15.
Bathrooms are perhaps the one crucial point in the house (or RV) where all humans — and therefore microbes — pass through. So during the present pandemic, keeping your toilets, sinks, counters and showers as germ-free as possible is key to keeping you and your family healthy.
“50 States, 5,000 Ideas” – the best book for travelers!
This book from National Geographic showcases the best travel experiences in every state from the obvious to the unexpected. Includes national parks, battlefields, museums and more plus travel information and fascinating facts. Canadian info, too. Learn more or order.
Trivia
Down in the dumps? Look through old photos! A study done by a psychologist in the U.K. found that looking through old personal photos can improve your mood and help you relax. In fact, it has a stronger effect on your mood than listening to music, having a glass of wine, or eating a sweet treat.
*Yesterday we told you about the history of the Little Free Library and showed you a map of where you can find one near you. Read yesterday’s trivia section here.
Leave here with a laugh
Just sayin’.
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Advertising director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
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Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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This newsletter is copyright 2020 by RVtravel.com
Today’s laugh should be called a public service announcement. Sent to the White House press office.
Regarding today’s Laugh: open ears, close mouth, life much better.
Tried a garden down here in Florida, BUILT a enclosure, put down weed stop film, filled with supposedly good too soul from bags, because all we have is sand here, only thing that grew were green peppers and watermelon, wanted tomatoes , after all the expense nothing even tried the upside down tomato thing, finally gave up.
Check in with UF extension services. They can reccomend varieties suited for different regions of Florida. Don’t give up on homegrown tomatoes!
Miss the Readers Poll Question?
Hi, Judy. Click on the link under “Reader poll” and it will take you to the poll. 😀 —Diane
Plant a garden? Not in Michigan. The governor says seed sales are forbidden. Looney?
Get your facts straight before you publish them.
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/apr/15/facebook-posts/covid-order-doesnt-ban-gardening-or-sale-seeds-and/
I’m not in Michigan, fortunately, but what is the rationale behind this edict? I’m in SC and have a very small backyard garden. On decent days that’s where you’ll find me. In fact, %age wise, our garden has become larger because of the joy the flowers and vegetables bring me, my husband, the birds and pollinators.
The Michigan “stay safe at home” order directs citizens to go out only for essential shopping i.e. groceries etc. It does address large, multi-dept. stores which include areas deemed non-essential. The order is intended to limit what people buy to only necessities. Michiganders can still buy garden supplies including seeds, just not from large Home Depot-type stores.
Per Politifact:
A headline shared on social media inaccurately describes an order that Whitmer issued in response to the coronavirus.
The order does not prohibit gardening or the sale of any particular product in Michigan. Stores in Michigan larger than 50,000 square feet must close areas for garden centers and plant nurseries, as well as those that sell carpet or flooring, furniture and paint.
We rate the statement False.
The majority elected her now you have to live with it I’m glad I live in a common sense state, Tennessee!
What we are experiencing is the loss of freedom, something very foreign to us.
Would you have thought the same thing during WWII with food rationing and restrictions on gas and unnecessary travel? Probably not as it was seen as the patriotic thing to do then and the same applies today.
Loss of freedom? A temporary loss of some freedoms maybe. Acceptable for the greater good and general welfare of the people of the nation. Even the supreme court agreed with this in a ruling more than 100 years ago.
We still have it better than many places in the world. Did you see the video out of China when they were in lock down?
There was an interesting video on YouTube where they were welding doors shut on apartment buildings somewhere in that area.
Oh you are not. Common sense prevails.
The only thing we are losing is the ability to spread death and disease around our country and to you and your loved ones.