Issue 2478
Today’s thought
“The trouble is if you don’t spend your life yourself, other people spend it for you.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Daughter’s Day! And if you don’t have a daughter, perhaps you can celebrate National Quesadilla Day instead.
On this day in history: 1890 – The United States Congress establishes Sequoia National Park.
Tip of the day
Tips for overcoming RVing obstacles as we age
By Gail Marsh
A recent “tweak” in my back sidelined me. I took a week off from our latest construction project to recuperate. The incident reminded me that I’m no spring chicken! I’m rushing headlong into “old hen” territory. I don’t like it, but there it is. I’m getting older, and my recovery stint got me thinking about navigating RV life as we age.
Of course, the best thing an RVer can do is take good care of themselves health-wise: Eat right. Exercise. Visit your healthcare professional once a year. We all know the drill. We need to DO it!
Once you put a checkmark beside the aforementioned basics, are there other tips for navigating RV life as we age? You bet!
RV review
A more affordable Super C—Coachmen Entourage 330DS
By Tony Barthel
One of the fun things about attending the FROG International Rally in Goshen, Indiana, is that many of the divisions of Forest River bring out their latest and forthcoming models for people to check out. Included in the units on the floor was a Coachmen Entourage 330DS, a “Super C RV” that Coachmen’s rep, Nick Venice, described as specifically targeting the more affordable side of that market. … Being Coachmen’s first foray into the Super C field, I think they did a good job. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
More ways to kill mold in RV
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I don’t think your answer about how to kill mold with bleach was sufficient. See this article [linked]. —Amos, 2011 Jay Feather Select X23B Read Dave’s reply, including more tips to kill mold.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Reasons to update your RV faucet
By Dustin Simpson
RV faucets for kitchens and bathrooms are the unsung focal point of the room. Most of the activity in bathrooms and kitchens revolves around the sink. The RV faucet is the sink’s crowning jewel. An old, malfunctioning RV faucet may provide a good reason for replacement, but upgrading the interior décor may be another. Continue reading.
Video of the day
Seen bent trees in the forest? Here’s what they mean
By Cheri Sicard
According to the producers at Watch Jojo, if you stumble across a bent tree in the forest, you might have also stumbled upon an ancient secret.
Trees have one thing in common: They grow straight up and down. The trees addressed in the video sport distinct right angles and have crooked trunks. Continue reading.
Featured article
Beware! Mirror glaze finish attracts wild birds. They dented and scratched our RV!
By Nanci Dixon
One time while camping in a state park in Missouri, a young male cardinal saw his reflection in our bedroom window. It took a while for us to figure out that the sound at the back of the motorhome was him ramming himself into the window relentlessly. I shooed him away before he seriously hurt himself or broke our window. I quickly forgot about it, but when I went back inside the motorhome a bit later, I heard a Click! Bam! Click! Continue reading.
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Reader poll
Have you ever needed emergency medical care while RVing?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE REPORT
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Quick tip
Always retract your steps when parked temporarily!
“NEVER leave your steps extended in a public place where cars and people are moving around. I pulled into a gas station and jumped out to see if I had pulled far enough forward to reach the fuel filler with the hose. Seconds later as I came back around the RV to get in, a car was trying to squeeze in between my RV and the pumps and ran over my steps! In my hurry I had not flipped the switch to retract the steps when the door was closed.” —Thanks to Jimmie C. for letting us learn from his painful lesson!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: The RV’s macerator pump quit, valve is leaking, black tank is full. Help!
- RV review: Sneak preview: Coachmen Freedom Express 298FDS – counter and storage galore
- In the RV shop with Dustin: Fifth wheel pin box and front cap inspection
- Video: Cautionary tales: Epic RV fails you just have to see to believe!
- Featured article: Know Your RV: Sanitize your “new” used RV fresh water tank
Website of the day
America’s 26 Best Food Trucks
Mmmm… food. What better way to try local food than by trying out some food trucks? The food is usually affordable and is great to grab and take to a local park or campground. Additionally, here’s the best food truck in each state.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This is hilarious! Can you imagine the face of the person who opens this? If you recorded their reaction and put it on YouTube you’d go viral!
Recipes of the day
3 quick and easy not-your-average quesadilla recipes
Quesadillas always sound good. Plus, they’re easy and quick to make, which makes them the perfect weeknight meal. These three recipes give quesadillas a new twist—one is “island style”, one has bacon and blue cheese, and another has juicy lime shrimp. Check these out—you’re going to want to stock up on tortillas for these!
Trivia
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that American consumption of cheese amounted to a record-breaking 42 pounds per year for the average person in 2022, the latest figure available — more than double the amount reported in 1975.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Levi is our 2-year-old Sheltie, just chillin’ on the dinette bench of our Grand Design 23LDE.” —Mike McMillan
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
One could argue that all cemeteries are useful. But this one is especially so — in Useful, Missouri!
TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST ACROSS THE NATION
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
Is your RV a lemon? Here are the lemon laws for every U.S. state.
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.
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Levi is beautiful and, apparently, happily comfortable in your RV, Mike! 🙂 The mystery product was funny. 🙂 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Neal, I hope you’re prepared for the upcoming stormy weather as per the great new weather map presented in today’s edition..
Thank you, Bill! 🙂 Yes, more or less. I have regularly run the sprinklers in the yard, so our ground is as soft as it can be. Making it as likely as we can that the heavy rains will be absorbed to an extent and not all just run off. We also have reworked the driveway numerous times after heavy rains to lessen erosion. If we lose power for an extended time AND the RV does not get blown away, then we’ll reconvene to it. The fuel tank has enough fuel to run the generator for, probably, a week. I guess we’ll see, Bill. So far almost none of the forecast rain has arrived. Thanks again, have a great day, and safe travels and stays! 🙂
Hi, Neal (and Bill). Yes, to Bill’s comment. Good luck with the (potential) weather. It sounds like you’ve done all you can to prepare for the worst. Please keep us posted. Stay safe. 🤗 –Diane
Thank you, Diane! Will do! I doubt that we’ll get more than rain. Our house is a third of the way up a ridge known locally as White Oak Mountain. We are 900 feet above the Tennessee River, so I am optimistic about our chances. 🙂 Have a great evening, Diane! 🙂
Thanks for the update, Neal. Good luck! And I am having a great evening. Thanks! 🤗 –Diane
Gail — the best health care you could give yourself is to get regular massage therapy — starting with once a week for a month would make you a new person. Massage therapy increases circulation and relaxes muscles as well as teaching you about your own body and your strengths and weaknesses and how to deal with them. I only recently retired from 34 years of being, what many people told me, a really good massage therapist BUT I will never retire from receiving massage therapy. I’m on an every two weeks schedule. Fortunately, I also know a lot of DIY tricks because massage therapy training in California is seriously lacking. Try it — you’ll LOVE IT
Mike McMillan ~ Levi is adorable. Our Greyhound sleeps like that – all 4 paws in the air. Enjoy!!