Issue 2466
Today’s thought
“Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Weiner Schnitzel day!
On this day in history: 1776 – The Continental Congress officially names its union of states the United States.
Tip of the day
Tips and tricks to reusing wine corks
By Gail Marsh
I was strolling through a local Salvation Army resale shop yesterday when I happened to see a huge bag filled with wine corks. Now, my husband and I do not consume much wine, but we will share some with RVing friends occasionally. Seeing the extensive collection of wine corks got me thinking: Are there tips and tricks to reuse them? The answer surprised me!
If you are a wine enthusiast, you might find yourself with a growing collection of wine corks. Instead of tossing them out, why not put them to good use? Wine corks are surprisingly versatile and can be transformed into all sorts of creative and functional items. Here’s a rundown of some fun and practical ways to reuse those wine corks.
Bonus tips from this weekend:
Walmart pickup service makes stocking up easy for RVers
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
One of the most distasteful parts of life for the male side of this writing team is shopping. If more than a couple of weeks pass without stocking up, one of the most pleasant parts of life can get a bit edgy. Enter RVing Walmart—and their pickup service where you can shop without ever setting foot in the door. We’ve found it works great in our RV lifestyle. Here’s why and how it works.
Be prepared for an emergency: Do, and have, these three things
By Steve Blume
From campgrounds, I am frequently walking in remote locations and away from civilization, not toward it. When I was younger, I was bulletproof; but with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom, caution. Accidents happen. In emergency situations when you might be unable to respond, especially alone in remote areas, give the responders a place to start. Here’s how.
RV review
My thoughts on 8 months with a Flated Air-Topper
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is about the Flated Air-Topper. Very specifically, this covers the 6’4” high top bed model which I bought last November and have been using since. What you have here is an inflatable pickup camper shell, or topper. Read more.
Ask Dave
My RV had an electrical brownout. Is burning plastic smell a concern?
Hello, Dave,
Hope your Labor Day permitted some relaxation for you. Mine became a little stressed when my 30-amp motorhome and a surge protector suffered a two-second brownout while connected to a campsite pedestal. My Dometic rooftop air conditioner was running during this time. It never really shut down, but when power was fully restored, the smell of burning plastic was present inside the motorhome. The unit performs flawlessly, cycles normally blowing cold air as it should, and the odor dissipates. Should I be concerned and, if so, what should I look for? Thanks for the assist. —Karl, 2019 Gulfstream BT Cruiser 5230B Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Quick RV shoe organizer idea: Keep your campsite tidy
By Dustin Simpson
Hey, RVers! Are you looking for a cool and practical way to keep your shoes organized outside your RV? We recently spotted a great idea in one of our Facebook groups—a fellow RVer used suction cup hooks and a shoe holder on the exterior side wall of their RV. Check it out.
Video of the day
The 10 best regional foods in the U.S.
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the Geography King shares his top 10 picks of the best regional foods in the U.S. Almost every region of the country has a signature dish that defines that area of the country from a culinary perspective.
After traveling the country extensively, these are our host’s favorites.
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
The GhostBed RV mattress is 10” deep, crafted with gel memory foam for coolness, has 3 layers of luxurious comfort and is perfectly sized for your RV! Ahhhh… Wake up relaxed and rejuvenated. RVtravel.com readers now get an EXTRA 10% OFF a GhostBed Luxury RV Mattress! CLICK HERE and use code RVTRAVEL10. Watch RVtravel.com’s Tony Barthel’s RV mattress review here.
The latest news for RVers
- RV dealer gets 20 years in prison for ripping off customers
- Midwest’s humidity getting you down? Blame the cornfields
- Florida state parks whistleblower fired, but citizens support him
- RV manufacturers expect shipments to increase by year’s end
- Is the Oklahoma ‘Disneyland-style’ 750-site RV park on the skids?
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
Short stop at Golden Spike Tower and Bailey Yard, the biggest rail yard in the world!
By Nanci Dixon
This week’s short stop on our trip back north was at Golden Spike Tower and Bailey Yard, the biggest rail yard in the world! Every day, 10,000 railway cars are sorted out, put on the right track and dispatched to their destination. You can see the Golden Spike Tower for miles on the flat plain. That flat land is one reason that North Platte, Nebraska, was chosen as its location. Learn more and plan your visit.
Reader poll
Do you think drones should be allowed in U.S. national parks?
Quick tip
Don’t keep heavy things in your sink during travel
We received this quick tip from reader Steven Parr. Steven shares, “We are currently on a 90-day trip through Canada and Alaska. We had a problem with our sink coming loose from the counter in our RV. We realized the cause and have repaired the brackets that hold the sink on. During our trip, we stowed dirty dishes, teapots, and gallon jugs of water in the sink while traveling. With the rough roads here, the weight of these items bouncing up and down eventually bent the brackets holding the sink on. Something we never thought about before. I just wanted to put it out there so other travelers are aware of the potential problem.” —Thanks, Steven!
Website of the day
31 Best Places To Fly Fish In The U.S.A.
Okay, fly fishers, this one is for you! Not only is fly fishing a fun activity, but you also get to catch your lunch or dinner. And, is there any activity that’s more peaceful than wading in a river—just you and nature? We don’t think so!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
While this isn’t just for RVers, we still think it would be *handy* for you to keep this in your RV at all times. You’ll thank us!
Recipe of the day
3 grilled salad recipes—Grill AND eat healthy at the same time
Who said grilling couldn’t be healthy? These three grilled salad recipes (yes, grilled salad!) are delicious and perfect for these last few beautiful summer evenings. Click here for the recipes.
Trivia
Kangaroos are well known as large, hopping mammals from Australia that carry their offspring in pouches. What may not be so well known, though, is that kangaroos cannot walk (or hop) backwards.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Finnegan (mixed breed) is (almost) 14 years old and has always traveled EVERYWHERE with us. We have been full-time RVing going on five years, and although he doesn’t quite enjoy the ride itself, he loves being a part of our every adventure! As long as he’s got a comfy bed and a toy box full of stuffed animals, he’s happy. (Oh, and a fire and a nice view doesn’t hurt either.)” —Mandi Waters
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Leave here with a laugh
TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ACROSS THE NATION
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
The Walmart pickup service makes stocking up easy for RVers…I get it, people like convenience, but that’s what’s wrong with this country. There is to much convenience. Wonder why obesity is such a prevalent issue? People not exercising and depending on services such as this. Walk people. move, exercise 💪 Practice Newton’s First Law of Motion, that a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts on it.
We don’t use those services because we don’t want someone else picking out our food items…you know, the all-fat pound of bacon, that dented can, the over ripe fruit, etc.
….. and ur point is???
see above
I know active people that hate shopping and I know fat people that love to shop.
It’s nice to have options and also to not deal with the grumpy people that hate to shop at the store.
I use walmart pick up when I need something unusual when I am unsure if the needed merchandise is carried by an out of town walmart and where it would be located in the store. I find their store inventory check and location check app unreliable. Ordering item for store pick up saves me a lot of time in this case.
Exactly! That’s when and how we use Walmart pick up it. We get the odd/strange item at pick up then usually shop for regular items. Great minds. 🙂
Stay safe, Joe
I see it as a time saver. If I need things that Walmart has and I don’t have the time to go in and do my own shopping, the pickup service is nice alternative. I don’t like them picking out my produce but there is nothing wrong with having their “shoppers” get my boxed or canned items.
Diminished activity level is certainly a culprit. But I am of the opinion that the sugar-rich processed foods offered in this country is one of the, biggest reasons for the obesity epidemic. It’s good for the drug industry however.
Are Kangaroos really mammals?
Hi, Mike. They are classified as marsupial mammals.👍🦘 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Yes, they are marsupial mammals.
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/marsupial/marsupial.html
Really like the new website!!
It’s handy if time is of the essence, or if you are prone to impulse buying. But we prefer to select our own produce, meat cuts and brands.
For me, part of the fun and adventure of traveling is checking out the Mom and Pop grocery stores in the little towns where I am visiting. If they don’t have something that I may be looking for, then the adventure continues with adapting to what I can make with what is available locally. Walmart gets enough of my money when I am home, let’s help support local businesses. As far as pick up service, absolutely not! I pick out my own meat, produce, and always check expiration dates on perishables.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Finnegan looks cool, Mandi. 🙂 May you have many miles together! 🙂 Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I absolutely hate shopping at Wal Mart due to its enormous site. I love their pick up service to avoid walking that store. I only go in if I absolutely have to. Plus they are the only ones in my area that sell certain frozen food I buy. A win win for two stores.