Issue 1729
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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Page Contents
Today’s thought
“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Veterans Day! Thank you for your service, Veterans!
On this day in history: 1926 – The United States Numbered Highway System is established.
A tribute to Veterans
This will bring a tear to your eye
As we do every year, in honor of Veterans Day and Remembrance Day in Canada and other Commonwealth nations, we submit this story by beloved World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle. This is perhaps Ernie’s most famous story. If you have never read it, grab a tissue. If you’ve read it before, read it again. It’s eternally wonderful. Read it now.
Tip Article of the Day
We ran this back in May of this year but today is a good reminder to read or re-read it…
A Vet’s View: “Camping is therapeutic for military veterans”
By Louis J. Finkle
Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology
“Camping is therapeutic for military veterans.” That is the conclusion reached after many years of observing hundreds of my “brothers and sisters.” As a researcher specializing in handicapping conditions, I find that the benefits of veterans experiencing and sharing recreational activities with other veterans become therapeutic! Continue reading.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Holding tank tips for the stationary RV
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Opus OP2 pop-up. As he reports, “While I can see this trailer appealing to outdoor adventure-oriented folks, the people I saw using it were doing so in a full hookup campground and had towed it there with an SUV.” Read about the advantages of this neat rig in today’s review.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the Cherokee Wolf Pup 18RJB mini toy hauler? If you missed it, you can read it here.
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Is this your RV?
If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (send a photo for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific time today, November 11, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
Last week two readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift cards: Mark Bush of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Ali Fiddler of Reno, Nevada.
We are discontinuing the contest at the end of November. We’ll have a brand-new contest. This contest will return again after a break.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook” as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club.
All three of my RV’s drain valves are stuck. What’s the solution?
Dear Dave,
I am experiencing three frozen dump valves in the shut position. I think the tanks are empty, but the camper has not been used for two years. Is there a solution I can use to pour down the tanks to break up the sludge on the valves? All cables have some movement but I don’t want to cut out the valves. The 2018 camper is a four-season with insulation under it so I cannot see the valves. Help! —Pep
Read Dave’s response to Pep.
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: Why does my RV’s toilet keep running?
Our top 5 best-selling mystery products last month:
• It’s no surprise that this drool-worthy product gets the number 1 spot!
• It’s the time of year to be cozy, and these are exactly what you’ll need to make that happen
• If you’ve ever visited this place, you’re going to know why you want this so bad!
• No explanation needed. These are just plain cool (and creepy!)
• We’re happy that you think this product is as neat as we do! It will come in so handy!
Did you miss yesterday’s Full-Time RVer newsletter? If so, read it here!
Why is Veterans Day always observed on November 11?
DON’T MISS Mike Sokol’s tribute to all veterans, including amazing stories of survival of his family members and friends, and what this all has to do with what we’re going through now, here. (And don’t miss all of the wonderful comments under his article. Please add your own, if you’d like to.)
Yesterday’s featured article: It’s checkout time, your RV has a problem, won’t move. What to do?
Reader poll
Did you serve in the military?
Tell us here, Veterans.
Outdoorsy program offers prizes for veterans
Peer-to-peer rental giant Outdoorsy has teamed up with Thousand Trails and veteran-led content distributor We Are The Mighty to announce its “Votes for Vets” giveaway. Read more about how you can enter or nominate someone for this contest.
Quick Tip
Water your plants while away from home
Wanda and Bill spend a lot of time in their RV, doing service work as volunteers. Their efforts may keep them away from their home for up to a month – and leaving plants at home unattended can lead to disaster. Solution? Water globes for plants! “A large globe (or ball) on one end and a long stem to push into the plant. You fill with water and as the plant dries out the water will drain into the plant. They come in different sizes for different sized plants. So far, no loss of plants while we are gone.” And where did the genius of the idea come from? Wanda confesses, “My brother – who got tired of having to come water my plants once a week!”
This is so funny!
If we saw someone with this in their car’s or RV’s cigarette lighter, we’d want to be their friend – it’s hilarious! This “FIRE MISSILES” cigarette lighter cover fits into all 12-volt vehicle accessory lighter sockets. It’s just designed for show, but it’ll give anyone in your vehicle a good laugh. Learn more or order. (This would make a great gift for someone with a sense of humor!)
Website of the day
U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks
All right, folks. Check this out. This site has compiled all (or just about all) military campgrounds and RV parks across the country. Keep this handy!
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:
• 86 percent say they pay off their credit card statements in full each month
• When camping, 24 percent of people like to be as far away as possible from other campers
• 30 percent own a propane fire pit
Recent poll: How would $6 per gallon of gas or diesel affect your RVing?
Recipe of the Day
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
by Kristin D. from Jacksonville, FL
If you love Philly cheesesteaks but are watching your carbs, this dinner will be perfect for you. The meat is super tender. Using your favorite steak seasoning gives the steak the right amount of flavor. Once baked, the peppers are cooked but a little crunchy. On top is ooey-gooey cheese. So good!
The veteran in your life would probably loooove this for dinner… Just sayin’. Get the recipe.
See yesterday’s recipe: Millie’s Cajun Chicken BLT
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Trivia
Unlike water, you can’t sink in lava. That’s good news for you if you find yourself ever thrown atop a bubbling pit of lava. You’ll just be fried like an egg instead of swallowed whole. Lava’s density is higher than water and the human body.
*Who was the first president to ever send an email and who did they send it to? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Penny Pearl. A neighbor found her and looked for owners but never found them about eight months ago. We took her to find a home and she stayed with us! After all shots and heartworm treatment, she travels with us in the motorhome. We are in the Tampa area enjoying the dog parks and sun!” —Marilyn Hughes
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Pet First Aid: The basic kit you should carry with you at all times. This is important!
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
There is nothing that the person in your life (maybe you) who is always cold would appreciate more than this…
Leave here with a laugh
(This one is so, SO groan-worthy, but it made us laugh. Come on… you know you laughed too! Tell it to the kids in the campground and they’ll be howling!)
How do you make a tissue dance?
You put a little boogie in it!
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury.
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Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): mikegast@rvtravel.com
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Help desk: Contact us.
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 2021 by RV Travel LLC.
Pup of the day is so lucky to have been found & loved~
A big thank you to all the Veterans today, some gave much but some gave all~ God Bless
All gave some, Some gave ALL!
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but the thought of the day doesn’t seem very wise. The ability to make you laugh is not what leads to happiness in a long-term relationship. Hepburn’s own life choices show that. Compatibility and enjoyment of being with a person will naturally lead to laughter. Few of us would choose to marry a person who depresses us because we wouldn’t enjoy spending time with them. Compatibility is lacking. There are very annoying people who turn everything into a joke. It’s amusing at first, but later one sees that the quips often mask hostility.
DW and I laugh a lot, laughter is what gives the relief of everyday stress. We seem to laugh at some of the worst things that happen each day. We always find something to laugh about.
Pet of the day Penny looks so peaceful lying there. It’s obvious she adopted you, not you adopted her.
It has been our experience when people come to pick out a puppy- It is the puppy who picks out their person.