Issue 2190
Welcome to RV Travel’s Daily Tips Newsletter, where you’ll find helpful RV-related tips from the pros, travel advice, RV videos, product reviews and more. Please tell your friends about us.
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“Don’t compromise yourself—you’re all you have.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fajita Day!
On this day in history: 1868 – French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.
Tip of the Day
Take a ranger-led night hike. The views (and wildlife) are worth it
By Gail Marsh
“Whoa, there! Back it up! I understand, and enjoy, hiking, but I’m not sure I understand (or could ever enjoy) night hiking. Maybe I’ve heard too many campfire horror stories, but finding my way through a dark forest doesn’t exactly get me excited—in a good way, that is. I mean, there are dangers in the night, right?”
Knee-jerk reaction
That was my first reaction when my husband suggested that we go night hiking, but I finally agreed. A nearby state park offered a nighttime hike experience that boasted “starry skies, nocturnal animal sightings, and information,” all led by a forest ranger. We signed up to go and then I did a little research.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
My RV bathroom has sewer flies even with tank valves closed. Help!
Dear Dave,
The RV’s gray and black tank valves are closed, so how am I getting black sewer flies in my bathroom? How do I get rid of them? —Laurel, 2006 Holiday Rambler
In the RV shop with Dustin
Looking at the new CURT CrossWing fifth wheel hitch
At my shop, California RV Specialists, we are product distributors and have a wide selection of Curt Manufacturing products in stock for next-day delivery, including trailer hitches, ball mounts, safety chains, custom wiring, and hitch locks. Today, we’re looking at the brand-new CURT CrossWing fifth wheel hitch.
Video of the day
An RV waterpark! Is Florida’s Splash RV Resort worth it?
By Cheri Sicard
What could be better in the hot days of summer than an RV waterpark? The team from Life Rerouted takes us to Splash RV Resort & Waterpark in Milton, Florida, where they enjoyed a weeklong stay a year ago.
When they visited, parts of the park were still under construction. But know that this is an up-and-coming park with lots more features and amenities to come.
However, the star of the show, the waterpark, was open.
The incredible story of how the West’s last boomtown was saved by beer
By Randall Brink
Schlitz beer made Milwaukee famous, but it no doubt helped save the gold camp of Goldfield, Nevada, as well. Traveling over U.S. Highway 95 through western Nevada is one of the beautiful RV road trips in the American West. … On Highway 95, you’ll pass through what remains of the last gold rush boomtown, Goldfield, Nevada, about twenty miles south of Tonopah. … You’ll enjoy this! Continue reading.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- New Oregon law alters RV park tenancy
- Reader writes, “I would happily pay $800 a night to camp to keep the ‘casual interest’ campers out!”
- New 2022 travel trailers going to auction houses. What’s going on here?
- Check out the all-new 2023 r-pod RP-203 travel trailer by Forest River
Reader poll
Have you ever eaten snails?
Brand-new book for cheap city and town park camping
In most cases, camping in city and town parks costs less than nearby private or other better-known public camping areas. In many cases, the overnight fee is $10 or less, with many sites still free. Some even include free or inexpensive utility hookups. Now, our friends at Roundabout Publications along with The Ultimate Campgrounds Project have published a directory of these under-publicized parks. The first edition of its “Camping in America’s City & Town Parks” is now available. Continue reading about this great new resource.
Quick Tip
Tangled cords? It’s a wrap!
Tangled cords? It’s a wrap!Gshindler64 sent along a tip on storing electrical cords. “Empty toilet paper or paper towel cardboard tubes make excellent, safe storage for the cords. The cords can be loosely wrapped around your hand or loosely folded at their natural folds and inserted into the tubes. (Just remember that wrapping the cords too tightly will eventually damage the wires.) The tubes can be marked with a Sharpie to identify the contents.”
On this day last year…
- Tip: Performing RV walkaround can save time and money
- Ask Dave: Can I install a ladder on the back of my RV? Where and how?
- Video: A VW Bug and motorhome mash-up: The super-cool Super Bugger RV!
- Featured article: The best smartphone case for RVers, hands down
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Have you ever wanted to appear like you go to the gym every day? Well, if you carry this around the campground with you, everyone will think you’re the strongest person around!
Website of the day
9 Scenic Canada Road Trips Within 2 Hours of the U.S. Border
It’s time to take a day trip (or a several-night trip) to these beautiful places within just two hours of the border. Sounds pretty nice, eh?
Clubs and useful organizations
PLEASE NOTE: We may receive an affiliate commission if you join any of these.
• Harvest Hosts: Stay free at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership.
• AllStays: The best website for RVers! Your membership will become your RV-bible.
• Boondockers Welcome: Stay at homes of RVers who welcome you in their driveways, yards, farmland or other space on their private property. Modest membership fee.
• Escapees: Best Club for RVers: All RVers welcome, no matter what type of RV, make or model.
• RV LIFE Trip Wizard: Make your RV road trip planning easier than ever.
Recipe of the Day
Slow Cooker Fajitas
by Melissa Lewis from Romney, WV
Fajitas are an easy dinner option and this slow cooker version is fabulous. The meat is tender and absorbs the flavor of the spices and jalapeno. We opted for steak, but chicken would be super tasty too. These Crock Pot fajitas are great if you’re busy and figuring out dinner. The slow cooker does all the work for you. Just set out your favorite toppings and each family member can assemble their own fajitas.
Trivia
The 10 activities that contributed most to U.S. lightning fatalities between 2006 and 2020 were: 1. Fishing; 2. Beach activities; 3. Camping; 4. Farming and ranching; 5. Riding a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV; 6. Boating; 7. Social gatherings; 8. Roofing; 9. Headed to and from or waiting for a vehicle; 10. Yard work.
*The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made structure for how long and until what other building took the title? Find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Scarlett travels really well in the RV. She also stays alone in the RV when we’re away without chewing or disturbing anything. She’s aggressive with other dogs, but with people, a light scratch on the head and she immediately rolls over for a belly rub! Then, she’s yours forever.” —David Hatfield
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Pocket-sized pain and bug bite itch relief balm is good to have!
This small anti-itch and pain balm is good to keep in your pocket or purse any time you’re around pesky mosquitoes. It’s an all-natural balm made with essential oils that helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. It also helps with spider bites and bee stings. Learn more or order. And see other bug-bite relief and prevention options in this article.
Leave here with a laugh
René Descartes, the philosopher, is known for his most famous maxim, “Cogito, ergo sum,” which means “I think, therefore I am.” One night Descartes was in his favorite bar. Closing time rolled around, and the barkeep said, “It’s closing time, Mr. Descartes. One more for the road?” Descartes replied: “I think not.” POOF! Thanks, Russ De Maris!
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Thank you, Emily!
Once on a cruise ship — snails were on the menu. I dared myself to order them. And, I figured they, of all people, knew how to cook them. They were great.
When night hiking, you might also add an infared flashlight. Many bugs, especially scorpions, show up bright under the light. Learned this at Llano Grande State Park in South Texas during their “dark” moon night hikes.
Scorpions can be seen with an ultraviolet light, not infrared.
On the other hand, a flashlight with a red filter is useful for seeing at night without harming your night vision.
Loved the ” leave here with a laugh”. Thanks Russ!
“The 10 activities that contributed most to U.S. lightning fatalities”. Sounds to me like everyday life.
Yes, indeed !🤔
Lightning strike within 3/4 miles of coach has really messed up electronics. Waiting for parts now. Took out GFCI, both MaxxAir fans, and other unfounded mysteries. Older fan with just on and off switch survived.
Always unplug from campground in an electrical storm. You may not be close to a strike but even a distant strike can reach you RV through the campground electrical system. You can survive on battery power during a storm, just no air unless you have a genny.
Yikes! Are you sure you didn’t just pop a fuse/breaker in your transfer switch and/or inverter? Seems strange that a strike literally across the street of my location didn’t so much as flicker my TV or reset the digital clock in my toad.
Like a flash flood’s water, electrons follow the path of least resistance. Lightning can decimate some spots while completely missing others. It may not be the spot itself, but what does or does not exist between. Bottom line for either event, try to be on the more difficult path to follow.
I had lightning “hit” what seemed to be ABOVE my barn shop. No evidence of actually hitting something in the area. I went temporarily deaf and my body felt real weird. My stereo was off at the time. When later turned on, it did not work. My electronic friend took it apart and said that RF (radio frequency) must have blown out some components (can’t remember the names). He replaced them and it is still working. Lightning does some real weird things other than hit and damage.
I once saw it hit incoming power on a house and blew the panel off the wall, then a ball of fire skipped across the road and hit the incoming phone line on the church and blew the phone off the desk.