Issue 2592
Today’s thought
“The central dilemma in journalism is that you don’t know what you don’t know.” —Bob Woodward
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pancake Day! Stop by any participating IHOP® location for a free stack of pancakes.
On this day in history: 1789 – In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the United States Constitution into effect.
Tip of the day
Pay attention to passing motorists’ warnings of trouble
On the road, most of us have experienced looking out our window to see a car passing by with someone waving frantically, and pointing toward our vehicle or behind it. Most of the time these are Good Samaritans who have spotted something wrong with our vehicle or the one we’re towing. This message and the ensuing responses were posted at our RV Advice Group on Facebook and we believe are worth passing along.
And thanks to those of you who care enough about others to flag them down when there’s a problem! Click here to read.
Ask Dave
Wire with connector hanging under my Winnebago. Should I be concerned?
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I have 2016 Winnebago Journey 38P, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISL9 engine. After 7 years of ownership, while washing my coach a few weeks ago, there was an electrical line hanging down under the left rear section of the motorhome. It is encased in black tubing, white in color, with a clip-type connector on the end. White color made me think it’s a ground wire. My tech and I cannot figure out where it connects. We searched everywhere within the span of the wire and there seems to be nothing to connect to. The coach runs fine, no warning lights, everything functions. What could it possibly be? Need your help. Thank you! —Paul, 2016 Winnebago Journey 38P Read Dave’s answer.
Video of the day
9 things to know about overnight parking at Cracker Barrel
By Cheri Sicard
Overnight parking at Cracker Barrel restaurants is popular with many traveling RVers. It’s generally safe, and management usually welcomes RVers; plus, you can have a tasty dinner before turning in or a hearty breakfast the next morning before hitting the road. But Izzy and MJ of Endless RVing, one of our favorite RV YouTube channels, say there are nine things you should know before settling in for the night at a Cracker Barrel.
Featured article
Why in the heck are some people so mean-spirited?
By Nanci Dixon
Why in the world are some people so mean-spirited? We have always found the RVing community generally kind, courteous, and friendly. What has happened that has moved a small group of people to sarcasm and meanness online? Do they not realize that flinging hateful words are to real people, your fellow campers? Continue reading.
Reader poll
Do you like peanut butter?
Quick tip
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.”
Website of the day
Topo Maps+
Hiking or driving into the backcountry? This app helps you stay on track, even if you don’t have cell service.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
If you own and/or love one of these, there’s no way you’re not going to want this. It doesn’t get much cuter… Not to mention this could be one of the best, er, cutest, gifts you ever give…
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 56 percent own a record player and use it sometimes or often.
• Out of a list of options, the highest number of voters, 33 percent, said American cuisine was their favorite, followed by Mexican (25 percent), Italian (20 percent) and Chinese (9 percent).
• When washing their hands, 60 percent say they first wet their hands before adding soap.
Recent poll: Do you read other RV-related newsletters?
Trivia
The initial price of sending mail with the Pony Express was originally set at $5 per 1/2 ounce (more than $150 today), then $2.50, and by July 1861 it was $1.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Kitty Cowboy goes cabin camping and loves his carrier that we call the ‘Dude Ranch.'” —Annette Freitas
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.
Leave here with a laugh
This is our new favorite video! You’ll smile through the whole thing.
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.
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Liked the Groundhog video
I liked the groundhog video as well. I do the same thing with apples on sticks stuck in the ground…then practice my sharpshooting skills on those destructive creatures!
I have had those pesky creatures digging clear under my footer of my pole building to get inside for years, Why they want in is beyond me as this is not in prep for up coming winter weather. All came to a head last summer when knocked over a metal post causing it to come into contact with the door of my ’66 Chevy Impala SS. This now means war! If you guys would just stay away…
I worked at a hospital for 30 years, we learned the proper way to wash your hands is to wet them first, apply soap and lather well for about 20 seconds, then rinse.
If you apply the soap first, you will rinse most of it away with the water.
Love the groundhog video. I’ve been feeding a possum this cold New England winter. I love the wildlife and fortunate to share it in my back yard.
I never feed wildlife. Do some people not understand that every agency and conservation group always states “Do not feed wildlife”. It reduces their survival effectiveness in the wild and will eventually just kill them. That may not be their goal but it will become the outcome,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Yep, about as much as you love your communist china made meds, and all chit made there, which should be made in the USA.
WINNING!
JB may have meant your close friends and allies through thick and thin, Canada.
✌️😎🇺🇲🇨🇦
I don’t generally feed wildlife in the wild as it can make them dependent on direct human intervention. However, I do feed deer and whatever in my backyard with what nature has provided for them anyway. In the fall the crab apples fall to the ground and I rake them up into a long pile and deer come by groups to feed – saves me from having to clean them up and dispose of them and the deer love em’! Can’t say I’ve killed any deer, squirrels, ducks, coyotes or fox with my backyard feeding practices; and not even a bird with my feeders! (It also keeps them from damaging my trees and shrubs!). Now rabbits – that’s another thing…….
DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE! If you do, they’ll become dependent on the handouts and then will demand free college and cell phones!
Kitty Cowboy certainly is adorable, Annette! I hope that you have many wonderful adventures together. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!