Issue 2629
Today’s thought
“You get what anybody gets – you get a lifetime.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Bucket List Day! What’s on your bucket list? Leave a comment below.
On this day in history: 1885 – American sharpshooter Annie Oakley is hired by Nate Salsbury to be a part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Tip of the day
How to fix drill batteries that won’t charge
By Cheri Sicard
This video from Flannel Guy DIY has almost 4 million views. Needing to know how to fix drill batteries that won’t charge must be a common problem, and since drills are such an essential RV tool, this is also likely a common RV problem.
The tips in the video will work for 20v, 18v or almost any lithium battery for your tools. It works for DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Black & Decker, Rigid, and more.
Ask Dave
Why does RV’s 12-volt fuse light show blown fuse but everything works?
Dear Dave,
Looking at my 12-volt panel, I get a red light next to a fuse if it blows, which is very handy. However, I now have a situation where this red light is on for fuses that are good and the circuits they guard are working fine. So I don’t understand why this red light is on? —John, 2015 K-Z Spree travel trailer Read Dave’s answer.
Article & video
Amazing free Texas camping
By Cheri Sicard
Free camping experts Lou and Melody of Living Our Dream Now share their favorite places for free camping in Texas. The video explores two fantastic scenic free camping spots, both at the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. Check them out.
Featured article
Has this RVer got himself into a big-time pickle?
By Chuck Woodbury
At first I thought this pickup truck towing a fifth wheel was headed down a dirt road where it did not belong, where the driver might be thinking (while experiencing significant panic), “What the heck kinda pickle have I got myself into?” It looks like a very bad scene to me. When I closely examined the photo, which was sent to me by a reader, it appears the front levelers are down. Is this, in fact, simply a campsite?
BUMPER SNICKER: Camp in a tent … not in the left lane.
Reader poll
If there were a permanent moon base, would you spend a week there if invited?
Quick tip
Awning in the rain?
If you must roll up your awning when rain threatens (as opposed to putting a big slant on it to let the rain roll off), be sure to roll it out to dry as soon as possible. Rolled up awnings, when wet, are a great place to grow a crop of mold and mildew.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Gyms and truck stops offer exercise and showers on the road—great for boondockers
- Ask Dave: Looking for new RV. Part 2: Why aren’t there many 26′-28′ travel trailers? Best time to buy?
- RV review: 2024 Grand Design Imagine 2600RB—almost a home run
- Video: Camping near Niagara Falls—New York’s Four Mile Creek State Park
Website of the day
Travel + Leisure: Road Trips
Here’s the link to the Travel + Leisure Road Trip section. Looking for road trip inspiration? Start here. You’ll get inspired, all right!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Oh, kids and adults alike will have so much fun with this! If you don’t click here now, it might disappear into thin air!
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 52 percent have known their closest friend for 40 years or more!
• When asked how good their singing voice is, 46 percent said we do not want to hear them even try to sing!
• 32 percent have been to Europe at least once within the last 10 years.
Recent poll: The sweet history of Easter’s favorite candy. Do you like Peeps?
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: To conserve water when dry camping, shave with a battery-powered electric shaver rather than a blade razor.
Trivia
As a result of the Coriolis effect, which is the deflection of moving objects based on the Earth’s rotation, hurricanes and tropical storms rotate in a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Frannie (Shih-tzu, age 3) was a breeder dog who lived in a cage for the first 2.9 years of her life, having puppies for the commercial pet market. We adopted her on January 4th to start the new year after putting our 13-year-old Sam down in November. She has been a delight! Now she is living her best life, learning how to be a family pet. House training came quickly; walking up and down stairs a little longer; and how to walk on a leash was the toughest. Watching her learn is great fun!” —Craig Phillips
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
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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The camper in a pickle photo is obviously photoshopped.
I will hopefully fulfill 1 item on my bucket list in May for our 45th anniversary, visiting Alaska. Many unforseen things have happened when I first booked it in 2020, mainly COVID. We were going to RV there but because of health issues with my mother we will be flying.
Wonderful you rescued Frannie. What a sweetie. Thanks for sharing.
Regarding today’s thought, the question is, who gave you the life you have? To whom may you have to give an account for how you have used it? (Look Neil Gaiman up and see if you think he has used his life wisely.)
Bucket List – Vancouver to Nova Scotia (mid-Sep thru Halloween) pulling my house with me.
speaking from experience GO earlier. Many of those must see spots are not fully staffed if at all in the shoulder season. Also a lot of campgrounds are or will be closing during that time. Winter tires are required from October 1.
“Bucket List”- In 1973 I went through Navy boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. I would like to go back for a visit and see how the place looks today.
Frannie deserves a good life, and you guys are giving it to her! We’re so glad to see her happy.🥰🐶
Please put some rain over Florida in the next weather map that you print.
Very sorry about your loss of Sam, Craig. Glad that you adopted Frannie. I wish you many joyful RV trips together. The laugh of the day could be a real picture of the wing added to the Air and Space Museum the Smithsonian opened near Dulles Airport before they moved one of the space shuttles and other gear associated with the space program. I think they have a Project Gemini capsule there as well. “Bucket list?” No, I don’t do bucket lists. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!
Frannie looks a lot like my Gizmo that we had to say goodbye to last week. They are such sweet little dogs, Frannie looks like a wonderful camping companion.
So sorry to hear about your Gizmo, Kathy.😢 That’s so difficult to say goodbye to such a close family member. Take care.🤗 –Diane at RVtravel.com