America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1236
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Today’s thought
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” —Thornton Wilder
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cranberry Relish Day!
On this day in history: 1963 – U.S. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated and Texas Governor John Connally is seriously wounded by Lee Harvey Oswald, who also kills Dallas Police officer J. D. Tippit after fleeing the scene. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the 36th President of the United States.
Featured news
After years of operating with thinner-than-usual staffing, the National Park Service has launched a recruitment drive for 500 new law enforcement officers. For anyone interested in National Park Service jobs, this initiative offers a rare opportunity to join the agency and help protect America’s most treasured lands, plus they’re offering a $70,000 hiring bonus.
Grand Design is loudly promoting its new Omega fifth‑wheel frame. Its redesign uses thicker steel, more fasteners, and added structural reinforcements. The rollout lands in the long shadow of Grand Design frame failure issues that have fueled owner complaints, federal scrutiny, and ongoing litigation over the past several years. Will this improve Grand Design’s frame flex issues?
RVers who were outraged last year when photos surfaced of a woman defacing a petroglyph panel in southern Utah now have some closure. Daniela Ganassim Ericksen, 47, of Ivins, Utah, was convicted of the 2024 vandalism that damaged the ancient rock art near the confluence of Buckskin and Wire Pass in Kane County. Learn more.
A long-running dispute over a former golf course in Mississippi’s Jackson County has come to an end, clearing the way for a Gulf Coast RV resort that will become the largest in the state. After two years of challenges, the state’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the county acted within the law when it approved the Ocean Springs Islands RV Resort. Some who formerly opposed the resort have changed their tune after the decision. Read on.
Here we go again… A towering American flag flying above Camping World in Coldwater, Michigan, has sparked new controversy. The city says the company installed the 130-foot pole without a required permit. The move has drawn sharp reactions from residents and renewed tension between the retailer and local officials. Oh, boy…
DURING THIS WEEK OF GIVING, CAN YOU HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS?
If you’re able, please consider donating to your local food bank. Whether you donate money, food, or your time, everything helps. And if you are in need of food assistance, here is a list of food banks near you.
RV review
2026 Entegra Coach Odyssey SE 22CF Class C—packs a lot in a small footprint
By Cheri Sicard
The Entegra Coach Odyssey SE 22CF is a shorter Class C that still feels comfortable inside. It has one small slide, which makes the coach easy to drive and park. The walk-around bed slide, large overhead bunk, and multi-use dinette create flexible sleeping for a family or visiting grandkids, while the Ford chassis and short length help keep driving stress low. Learn more.
The best Amazon Black Friday sales right now for RVers; don’t miss out!
- DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill & Tool Combo Kit. On sale for $169 (usually $249)
- Apple AirTag 4 Pack. On sale for $64.98 (usually $99)
- Amazon Kindle (newest model). On sale for $79.99 (usually $109.99)
- Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. On sale for $74.99 (usually $94.99)
- Shark TurboBlade 2-in-1 Customizable Tower Fan + Heater. On sale for $249.99 (usually $399.99)
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
$120K RV depreciates to $40K—Losing $10K in just two weeks
This week, Nanci Dixon shares more of your comments on increasing costs of RVing and sometimes difficulty getting reservations, others’ solutions to those problems, and a suggestion about renting out rural, vacant lots by their owners to boondock on. One reader is forced to sell their RV at a huge loss due to health problems. We’re wondering how many of you are upside down on your RV loan. Did you have to sell at a loss and then continue to pay on the “phantom RV”? Read and comment here.
News briefs
Nearly 82 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving, up 1.6 million from last year, according to AAA. About 90% of travelers, roughly 73 million people, are expected to drive. AAA predicts that number could rise if more people choose to hit the road instead of flying after the recent wave of flight cancellations.
The busiest days on the roads for Thanksgiving are expected to be Tuesday, Nov. 25; Wednesday, Nov. 26; and Sunday, Nov. 30.
Federal prosecutors in Wyoming are taking marijuana possession on federal lands seriously. This includes national parks. The U.S. Attorney for Wyoming recently announced the office is rescinding more lenient charging guidance and will “rigorously” enforce marijuana rules on federal lands. Learn more.
Fewer Canadian snowbirds are heading to the Sun Belt this winter, according to the Canadian Press, likely due to uncertainty at the border and political tensions. The U.S. Travel Association estimates foreign visitor spending will decline by $5.7 billion this year, driven largely by fewer Canadian visits.
RV travelers on I‑25 now have a new spot to refuel, relax, and recharge. Love’s Travel Stop’s Trinidad, Colorado, RV location has opened. It offers 10 RV hookups, a dump station, and three RV parking spaces. Big rig drivers will also find 65 truck parking spots, while RVers may find six diesel bays, four showers, laundry facilities, and a CAT Scale useful. Learn more.
Another one! Love’s Travel Stops has opened another new location in Sterling, North Dakota, east of Bismarck at 3201 Highway 14, easily accessible on Highways 14 and 83 as well as I-94. It has 6 full-hook RV sites, a dump station, and 3 other dedicated sites for RVs.
As drivers prepare to hit the road for Thanksgiving, gas prices are about the same as last week. The national average price for a gallon of regular went up by a couple of cents to $3.10. Overall demand is low this time of year, which helps keep prices down.
GOBBLE UP: Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner this year will cost a bit less—about $55.18 for a feast for 10, marking the third year in a row of price declines, though still above pre-2022 levels. The biggest drop comes from the turkey: a 16-pound frozen bird averages $21.50, down more than 16% from last year as retailers offer holiday deals. These figures come from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, based on prices checked the first week of November. Here’s the report.
Speaking of Thanksgiving… Wonder what the weather will look like this week? The Weather Channel has the weather forecast across the country through this weekend and next. Click here.
The San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Resort was named KOA’s 2026 Campground of the Year during the company’s annual convention in Raleigh, N.C., this week.
A huge new casino has opened near where California Route 99 and I-5 intersect near Bakersfield, 80 miles north of Los Angeles. With 150,000 square feet of gaming space, the Hard Rock Casino Tejon rivals in size many casinos along the Strip in Las Vegas.
Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) inside Rocky Mountain National Park officially closed to through-travel for the winter season on Friday, Nov. 14. It’s closed on the east side of the park at Many Parks Curve and on the west side at the Colorado River trailhead.
According to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll, one-third of New Jersey voters say New York has the country’s worst drivers in the USA (33%). Slightly more than 1 in 5, however, say that New Jersey drivers are the worst (22%), followed by Pennsylvania (14%), Florida (10%), Massachusetts (5%), California (4%), and Connecticut (2%).
… Speaking of polls, 78 percent of Americans agree that national parks should not remove photos, signs or other materials that tell the factual aspect of America’s history. (YouGov.com survey)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reopened Petersburg Campground, sites 1-27, for year-round use. Hurricane Helene had closed the campground near Augusta, Georgia, in September 2024.
ODD NEWS
One direction of Interstate 270 in Hilliard, Ohio, was closed for more than an hour Monday evening while rescue workers rounded up an escaped cow named Marigold. The bovine had been wandering into traffic.
WHAT THE HECK? Martin Ströby, 42, said his kids inspired him to stuff 81 matches up his nostrils and earn a Guinness World Records title in the process. “After doing the trial run, I discovered I could both stretch my nostrils a lot and also ignore the pain from putting all those matches in there, so I would say I’m a natural,” Ströby said. Youch!
On Wednesday, a North Carolina motorist said a cat dropped by a bald eagle crashed through her windshield on a highway near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bald eagles often carry prey back to nests to feed chicks. The cat was a goner.
An electric mousetrap that works
Keep unwanted rodents out of your RV with the Owltra electronic rodent trap—a clean, humane, and RV-friendly solution that actually works. Powered by just 4 AA batteries, the trap delivers a quick, high-voltage zap for instant elimination, no chemicals or glue. It’s pet-safe. When it’s time to empty, simply pop the magnetic lid and dump—no mess, no touching. Cheri Sicard recommends it here.
Have you seen these stolen RVs?
Stolen RVs reported Nov. 7-14, 2025
Help someone find their “home”! See if you’ve seen any of these recently reported stolen RVs. Click here.
RV and RV-related recalls
- Thor launches two major RV recalls over dangerous solar panel failures
- Huge Trek bicycle and e-bike recall for risk of brake failure
- Winnebago recalls trailers: Cooktop flame may invert
- Grand Design is recalling certain 2022-2023 Solitude and 2023 Momentum fifth wheelers. Loose or missing fasteners on the refrigerator cooling unit can allow excessive movement of the unit, possibly causing the propane line to crack and leak. Info: 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design’s recall number is 910052, which is an expansion of NHTSA recall 24V378.
- Tips, advice and other things you should know about recalls
FACTOID: In 2021, 216.5 million turkeys were raised on turkey farms across the United States. According to the USDA, turkey meat production in the United States in 2021 was 5.558 billion pounds. The top turkey-producing states are as follows: Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa, and California.
Reader poll
How comfortable are you driving at night/in the dark?
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Oh, you’d better get these before you miss out! Don’t wait, or the deal will gobble you up! These are the best ones we’ve seen!
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Trivia
The average turkey consumed on Thanksgiving weighs around 15 pounds, enough meat to feed about 8 people.
Laugh of the week
The perfect scam
Scam Declined: How bank employees stopped a scam
A call from someone claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission sends Linda on a quest to transfer $25,000, believing that she is assisting them in catching a criminal. The caller warns her not to tell anyone what she’s up to, but perceptive bank employees at multiple branches suspect a scam and throw up roadblocks. Meanwhile, they alert Linda’s children, who work quickly to get between their mother and the criminals.
FREE IS GOOD! Plan your next trip to Utah with the free Utah Travel Guide. Several resources available online or by mail.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
I’ll always remember where I was on November 22, 1963. I was working in the Avionics Shop at Naval Air Station North Island. I was working on an AQA-1 which was used antisubmarine aircraft. An announcement was made across the whole base that President Kennedy had been assassinated in Dallas Texas.
President Kennedy was my inspiration to join the Navy 5 days out of High School when during his inauguration speech he said “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
Rest in Peace Mr. President…..
Senior year of High School when Lee Harvey Oswald shot JFK. Then Jack Ruby kills Oswald. What a nightmare. What a way to become an adult.
Same here, Tom. Senior year of high school. I can still picture exactly where I was sitting in my Home Ec. class and looking up at the speaker on the wall when the announcement was made. Devastating. Then my dad (who was always right and never wrong) wanted to take us to the neighborhood theater that evening. I remember we were heading out to the car and I spoke up that I didn’t think it was appropriate to be going to a movie. We all turned around and went back in the house. I think that was probably the only time in my life that he actually listened to me. (I’m still surprised.) Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane
Interesting Factoid… In 2021, 216.5 million turkeys were raised on turkey farms across the United States. Just wondering how they raised a half turkey?
🤣 Well, except that the .5 stands for half a million, not half a turkey. Have a great day, David. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I hope that’s a joke……
The small article on fewer Canadian snowbirds omits the very real reason fewer Canadians are coming down to the States for winter, and that is the cost of living in their country, and the exchange on their dollar being 30% or more. I have a sister living near Fort Erie, Ont., Canada, and a sister-in-law who lives in Hamilton, complaining about those two facts almost every time I talk or visit with one or the other.
30%!? I’m a Canadian preparing to head to Arizona for the winter. The exchange rate is about 1.42, meaning that I have to pay $142.00 CDN to get $100.00 USD. Last winter, our first going to Arizona, it went as high as 1.48.
Born in 51 & I always say the bookends of my youth were JFKs murder & Nixon’s resignation. So much happened in between.
Speaking of national parks unless you are a veteran the price of entry in January goes up. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, an annual pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for non-residents. Non-residents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Everglades and Yosemite, in addition to the standard entrance fee.