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Saturday, November 11, 2023
Issue 1130
Free, abbreviated edition
Featured news articles
Good news: Gas prices starting to feel low again
The national average for a gallon of gas dropped four cents since last week to $3.40. However, the steady, if slow, decline may gain speed after recent drops in the price of oil. Parked in the mid-$80s per barrel a week ago, oil is now hovering around the mid-$70s. Since it is the main ingredient in gasoline, less expensive oil usually leads to falling gas prices. Continue reading.
Federal judge denies injunction to stop BLM deforestation in Nevada
By Randall Brink
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s contentious initiative to remove pinyon-juniper forests over an expanse of more than 380,000 acres in Nevada has ignited a conflict between federal management agency and environmental preservation interests. The extensive clearing adjacent to the Great Basin National Park has raised alarms due to its potential impact on the region’s biodiversity and RV boondocking. Learn more.
Camping World location gives way to a fire station
While we often speak of Camping World’s “march for domination,” the big dealer occasionally pulls the plug on one of its sites. Such was the case in Henderson, Nevada, some time back. What do you do with a defunct RV dealership? The answer: Camping World gives way to a fire station. Read more.
Locals riled – An RV park is coming to Navarre Beach, Florida
After years of fighting, it’s all over but the shouting. The fight has been between an RV park developer and a local residents’ association. After court battles, and battles of public opinion, the victory is handed to the developer. An RV park is coming to Navarre Beach, Florida. Continue reading.
BLM’s Wyoming “land grab” hits opposition in Congress
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has come under fire in Wyoming. The agency wants to list 1.8 million acres as “areas of critical environmental concern.” The idea didn’t sit well with Wyoming’s U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman, a Republican. She declared the BLM’s actions as “one of the largest land grabs we’ve ever seen,” and has taken action in the House to block it. Continue reading.
New and improved Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Dump Buddy® will change the way you empty your waste tanks. It securely fastens your waste hose to the waste pipe, preventing a spill. Whether you’re doing a simple dump at the end of a trip or need a secure hookup for a long stay, Dump Buddy is there to assist. Read Tony Barthel’s review of it or click here to find it on Amazon.
Veterans Day
Military veterans impact camping industry
If you compare the numbers, camping veterans make a significant impact in campgrounds today. That may also explain how a large number of campground owners are themselves military veterans. Continue reading.
National Park Service hosts Veterans Day specials on Saturday
The National Park Service (NPS) will host special events today. The specials include free entrance to everyone on Saturday, November 11, to commemorate Veterans Day. For a sampling of special events for Veterans Day, click here.
Veterans get free night of camping in Missouri State Parks
Veterans get a free night of camping in Missouri State Parks if they meet certain conditions. All veterans and active-duty military members who camp at a Missouri State Parks campground Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, will receive a voucher for a free night of camping. … Vets and active duty military folks can also take free tours of Missouri state historic sites Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12. Learn more.
Campground Crowding
RVer pays more than $90,000 (in 7 years) to stay at RV parks and resorts
RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs than has been the recent trend. Has that changed campground crowding? This week, Nanci Dixon shares your stories about having to pay for amenities not used; another RVer giving up RVing for “moteling,” which is cheaper fuel-wise; an insider’s tip about using Harvest Hosts; a great tip about the state park campgrounds in New Mexico; and an RVer who has spent more than $90,000 in 7 years of RVing but says, “My RV life is far less expensive than my sticks-and-brick life and I am enjoying this life more.”
RV Video Tour
Check out what’s new in the 2024 Casita Travel Trailers
By Cheri Sicard
Join Jonathan Willis from Casita Travel Trailers in the video below and check out the changes and innovations to the 2024 Casita Travel Trailers. Since the molds don’t change, it might not seem like anything changes from year to year in these popular lightweight fiberglass travel trailers. But that’s not so, although to be sure the changes might be more subtle than in other brands.
We are now reporting the news daily
Stay up to date with the news! Get the latest news about RVing every weekday afternoon straight to your inbox. We began the weekday emails on November 7. Sign up to receive these timely emails here. (You can easily unsubscribe if you wish.)
Don’t want to sign up? Don’t worry. This newsletter isn’t going anywhere. Continue reading this newsletter every Saturday for a recap of the latest news for RVers.
Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.
More RVing News
California State Parks has announced that D.L. Bliss State Park in the Lake Tahoe Basin will remain closed through the summer of 2024. Contract work to replace aging waterlines at the park is ongoing and expected to be completed next year.
Zion National Park announces seasonal changes. Every year, the National Park Service (NPS) adjusts shuttle schedules and campground availability to reflect the seasons. Here is what you need to know to plan a visit when the winter season gets underway.
A tractor trailer carrying beehives rolled over on CA-190 in Death Valley National Park on November 6. The driver and several emergency responders were stung by bees. Learn more.
If you visited Yellowstone National Park recently, you may have felt overwhelmed by crowds. Even during the “shoulder season,” folks are coming hot and heavy. Yes, Yellowstone visits continue their upward pattern, as October’s numbers bear out.
A hiker’s mishap on a fake trail in British Columbia calls into question internet-provided map data. Past experience has shown you don’t need to be a hiker to get into trouble with a GPS, or internet-provided map data. RVers take note.
It’s bounced between county commissioners and the courts. A detractor says it’s not an RV park—it’s single-family housing. It’s a little RV park that draws plenty of opposition, but it’s still moving ahead in Bonner County, Idaho.
Planning a visit to a major recreation attraction in Arizona and Nevada? Come January 1, the new rule is this: Don’t bring cash to Lake Mead.
Speaking of Lake Mead… Several areas at Lake Mead have been closed due to water contamination. The NPS says they have temporarily shut down those areas showing high levels of fecal bacteria out of concern for public safety.
New York State officials are in the middle of a week-long campaign to cut down on bridge strikes from tall vehicles. Governor Kathy Hochul said the situation is “creating public safety hazards, traffic delays and damage to bridges across the state.”
The Napa County Board of Supervisors has initiated exclusive negotiations for the transformation of the Steele Canyon resort area near Lake Berryessa in Northern California into a Camp Margaritaville Resort, which will include RV accommodations. Read more.
Lazydays has acquired RVzz, an RV dealership located in St. George, Utah. The store has been renamed “Lazydays RV of St. George” and marks the 23rd location in the company’s nationwide network and growing presence in the Southwest. Learn more.
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.
Saturday Giveaway!
How would you like to win the brand-new 2024 National Geographic Road Atlas: Adventure Edition?
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (November 11, 2023) by 7 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
Reader poll
Are you an “RVer” if you live in a park model RV that stays in one place?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Honor our veterans not just today, but every day. This is a simple way to make a veteran feel appreciated.
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of November 6, 2023:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.40
Change from week before: Down 8 cents; Change from year before: Down 40 cents.
Diesel: $4.37
Change from week before: Down 9 cents; Change from year before: Down 97 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Recent Recalls
- Forest River recall: Adrenaline, Work and Play towables recalled for low visibility
- Chinook recalls Bayside motorhomes for backup camera fault
- Forest River recalls some towables for a melting wire issue
EARLY BLACK FRIDAY AND HOLIDAY DEALS on now on Amazon.com!
Upcoming RV shows
Click here for a directory of upcoming shows.
Recipe of the Day
Jean’s Nacho Casserole
by Jean Fisher from O’Fallon, IL
Yum! This nacho casserole is easy and super tasty. Set out your favorite nacho toppings and let the family customize their plate. This is one easy dinner recipe.
[wbcr_snippet id=”337364″ title=”AHM Video Recipe Widget”]
Trivia
Ever wonder why there’s no apostrophe in Veterans Day? It seems like there should be, right? Nope, it’s not “Veteran’s Day” or “Veterans’ Day” because it does not belong (apostrophe indicates possession) to veterans—it honors and celebrates all veterans. No apostrophe needed!
Laugh of the Week
Today in History
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Gail Marsh, Dave Solberg and Cheri Sicard. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Dustin Simpson, Dale Wade, Jan Steele and Tony Barthel. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Artificial Intelligence (AI) contributors: Johnny Robot and Milly MacWilly. Canine mascots: Archie and Astor “the Disaster”
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
RVtravel.com is a participant in many affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of the potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
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The “Mystery product of the day” has the USA and the US flag in reverse. Perhaps not a thoughtful choice of product to honor our Vets. Please consider replacing it with a better product.
I agree. Obviously an “imported” product!
I’ll go one more step and say “Made in China”!!! That’s not a “Hate Speech”, just fact, Admins!
Hi, Jim. I just searched online for a comparable item that was Made in America. Every single one was imported, or I would have switched that, as well. Take care. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Chinese, like most things sold on Amazon.
We apologize, Stephanie. It’s been switched out. Have a great day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
No “Today in History”. There is a space but no video.
Sorry you can’t see the video, Roger. I just double-checked and I can see it. I went in “anonymously” to make sure I wasn’t seeing it just because it was cached in my computer, and I can still see it. It may be a filter or something in your computer blocking it. Here’s what one of our IT folks said one time about a similar situation regarding polls: “Sometimes script blockers and ad blockers interfere with our polls since they are from a 3rd party site. If you have one of these try and turn it off and see if that fixes the issue.” That may be happening here. Good luck! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you Diane, I came back later and it was there. Not great Internet at this campground but we’ve had worse.
Thanks for the update, Roger. I’m glad you were able to get to it.👍 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
Guess NOTHING happened today however many years ago?
When we were in Yellowstone we got a tour guide. We saw things that if we did it self guided would have missed. Zion really needs to get a better handle on their bus system. If we had waited it would have been over an hour wait so we did not do this and went to the ghost town on the outside of town and then left back to Bryce Canyon where we were staying. I have given up camping for a seasonal site because camping is like a box of chocolates. You never know what site you are going to get. And half the time price has gone up by the time you get there. And as for the veteran pic? It reminded me of my uncle. A highly decorated Korean war vet. Thank you for that.