Posted by Ashley Gannon on Mar 12, 2010
Get ready. The Rally is headed for the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville July 22-25. One of the RV Nation’s biggest gatherings, The Rally draws more than 10,000 RV enthusiasts for a long weekend of RV exhibits, commercial product booths, educational seminars, contests, fun and first class nightly entertainment. This year’s big acts include legendary comedian Bob Newhart on July 22 and country-music singer Tanya Tucker on July 23.
This year’s Rally will celebrate the centennial anniversary of RVing in America with an Oldest RV at the Rally contest, the winner to receive 100 gallons of fuel. A unique display of vintage RVs will allow visitors to experience the many changes in RV life over the decades. New this year, Trailer Life publisher Bob Livingston and his wife will lead an RV caravan on a special Centennial Caraventure from Elkhart, Indiana to the Rally.
The Rally is a wonderful opportunity to scope out the latest RV models and features and products, get advice form RV experts and rub shoulders with fellow travelers in the RV nation. It’s a great experience for RV newcomers, veteran RVers and folks who are contemplating joining the RV nation but haven’t taken the plunge.
With more than 4,500 RVs descending on Louisville, it’s a good idea to make your Rally reservations early. You can find complete Rally information, including campground locations, on TheRally.com.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Mar 10, 2010
The first promise of spring’s arrival comes with the blooming of wildflowers. In Texas the annual late March blooming of the state’s famous bluebonnets draws RVers from across the country. After the dry heat of summer, the rains of winter turn the dusty soil into a sea of blue as far as the eye can see. Like the migration of the monarchs or the swallows returning to Capistrano, the blooming of the Texas state flower is one of nature’s most pleasurable wonders.
RVers get a front row seat when rare spring wildflowers start to bloom. A stop at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas in Austin will show you which wildflowers to look for and where to get the best views. Brenham, Washington and DeWitt counties also offer wildflower viewing maps and information. Wildflower blooming is expected to peak in mid-April this year.
The bluebonnet isn’t the only wildflower blooming in Texas. Bright red poppies, feathery Indian paintbrush and lovely Drummond phlox wash the state with color. Thank the Texas Department of Transportation for the abundance of wildflowers in the Lone Star state. Its aggressive wildflower planting program along highways and roadsides has been adopted by the state’s citizens who plant wildflowers in their yards and pastures. At peak wildflower season, you can RV from one end of Texas to the other with a constant view of wildflowers dancing in the wind.
Wildflower lovers may also want to stop in Death Valley where rare desert wildflowers have just started to bloom.
Posted by RV Pro on Feb 26, 2010
Step aside Stephen Colbert. We may not be sponsoring an Olympic team this year, but the RV Nation is alive and well and growing stronger every day! RV owners stretch across the depth and breadth of the nation’s demographics. U.S. RV ownership levels have reached record highs in recent years. According to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, one in 12 Americans who own a vehicle also own an RV. The RV Nation is 8 million strong and growing. RV ownership has increased by more than 58% since 1980.
Who owns RVs? According to RVIA, the typical RV owner is 49, married with kids, a homeowner with an annual household income of $68,000. New RV owners aged 35 to 54 are the fastest growing segment of the RV Nation. Affordability, low living/travel expenses, family values, superior comfort and portability are the main draws attracting people to the RV lifestyle.
The recession actually increased RV ownership. RV manufacturers did hit a small bump in the road, but they were among the first to rehire and even increase their work force to keep up with RV demand. Any minor losses in new RV sales were made up in increased used RV sales, particularly on online RV sales sites like RVT.com. RV buyers looking for a cheaper lifestyle or inexpensive way to travel with their families are finding great used RV bargains on RVT.com. Isn’t it time you discovered what your neighbors know and explore the joys of RVing?
Posted by RV Pro on Feb 17, 2010
As anyone who has been watching the Olympics knows, Vancouver doesn’t fit Americans’ typical view of Canada in winter. With temperatures far more moderate than those in many U.S. states, Vancouver isn’t the frozen land of ice and snow most Americans imagine. Caught between towering, snow-capped mountains and a gorgeous island-dotted bay, Vancouver is an amalgam of cosmopolitan sophistication and rugged outdoor wilderness. Temperate winter weather and a favorable exchange rate have many RVers heading for Vancouver instead of the American sun belt in winter.
A country of avid RVers, Canada has always been a welcoming RV destination. RV parks are well maintained and many parks in temperate British Columbia are open year round, particularly at popular destinations like Vancouver Island, Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum. Vancouver Island, dubbed “the island” by locals, attracts a growing number of full-time RVers — both Canadians and Americans – who enjoy the slower pace and quieter island lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle across the water in Vancouver. Outdoor activities, an extensive walking path system, interesting museums and lovely scenic views of the ocean and inland waterway are among the winter delights on Vancouver Island.
For Canadian RVers, wintering in Canada rather than the U.S. offers considerable financial benefits, not only in exchange rates but in medical insurance costs. By wintering in Canada they avoid hefty out-of-country insurance surcharges. For Americans, a winter in Canada is a unique opportunity to make friends with our foreign neighbors and enjoy the outdoors.
Posted by RV Pro on Feb 15, 2010
Michelle Obama launched a national program last week aimed at fighting childhood obesity. About 32% of American children and teens are obese or overweight, according to government statistics. Childhood obesity significantly increases a person’s risk of developing weight-related health problems like diabetes and high cholesterol. People who are overweight as children are more likely to struggle with weight problems as adults. And with more than 25% of U.S. adults already struggling with obesity, what’s good for your kids will be good for you.
For outdoorsman and adventure journalist Eugene Buchanan, the “Aha!” moment came when he read that U.S. children and teens spend an average 44 hours sitting in front of TVs, computers or video games. Building on his own family experiences, Buchanan has written a guide to help parents plan and execute outdoor travels and activities with their children. His new book, Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids, shows parents how to make outdoor activities with their children happen. He provides plenty of helpful tips on how to handle the logistics, avoid the pitfalls, maintain patience and maximize the fun while camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and paddling as a family.
Buchanan’s favorite way to keep his own family active? RV camping. Buchanan uses RVing as a launch platform for many of the outdoor activities he enjoys with his children. He recommends RVing for families inexperienced with the outdoors. An easy and comfortable way to get your kids — and yourself — up off the couch and moving, buying an RV is an investment in family togetherness.
Posted by RV Pro on Feb 10, 2010
What’s your favorite stretch of road? In Overdrive magazine’s 11th annual nationwide poll of long-distance big-rig truckers, the 455-mile long segment of I-40 that traverses Tennessee was voted the best highway segment in the nation. For truckers, time is money so they’re more interested in how quickly they can get from here to there than they are in scenic views. High-quality highway stretches that offer smooth road surfaces, clear roadway markings and easy construction detours qualified highways for high rankings. I-75 and I-10 through Florida came in second and third, respectively in the poll.
Overall, Florida was judged to have the best highways, followed by Texas, then Tennessee. Pennsylvania had the worst roads followed by Michigan with New York and California tying for third. The worst highway? I-10 through Louisiana. Shrinking revenue and state budget cuts hit many state highway departments hard, leaving fewer funds for highway repair and improvement. $21.8 billion in federal stimulus funds apportioned for more than 10,000 transportation and highway projects is expected to turn that around this year.
While a good road is a pleasure to drive when you’re RVing, RV travelers place greater value on scenery. The more leisurely pace of RV travel leaves plenty of time for scenic outlooks and breathtaking views as you drive around a bend. A new crop of recently announced National Scenic Byways gives RVers 42 new travel destinations to plot into their summer travel plans. Happy trails!
Posted by RV Pro on Jan 27, 2010
Gardeners may spend their winters pouring over seed catalogs, but RVers spend their winters pouring over maps and travel brochures. Of course, many RVers plan their next trip while enjoying their current travel destination. But a fair number of RVers tied to school and work schedules store their RVs during the winter and wait until spring to hit the road.
Whether you plan on the go from your RV cockpit or from the comfy confines of your living room sofa, there are a few planning tips guaranteed to make your next RV trip enjoyable:
> Get out the maps. Maps give you an instant bird’s eye view of possible routes making trip planning easier. Use regional multi-state maps to plot main routes, but don’t neglect to check state and local area maps. State and local maps provide greater detail and pinpoint local attractions, scenic byways, parks and campgrounds.
> Use the Internet. The Internet is a great resource for finding areas that promote an activity you’re interested in; for instance, finding bike trails or canoe liveries. You can check out area attractions, including hours and prices and even make reservations and print directions.
> Visitors centers. Always stop at the visitors center when you cross a state line. You’ll find lots of great brochures and money-off coupons for popular attractions. Some visitors centers are staffed and will help you locate activity information and plot directions.
> Word of mouth. Don’t be shy about asking other RVers about what to see and do. You may discover a rare gem.
Posted by RV Pro on Jan 08, 2010
Not all RVers are snowbirds who head south when the first flakes start to fall. Some RV aficionados actually head into the storm when winter arrives. They are the RV families that love the thrill of skiing and snowboarding at breath-taking speeds down snow-covered mountains. When winter weather arrives, these hearty folks load up their RVs in search of fresh powder on snow-covered slopes. Right now that’s not hard to find.
With winter storms ravaging much of the country, snow is in abundance. You don’t have to trek to the Rockies to find decent skiing in the U.S. right now. From coast to coast, U.S. ski areas have good snow cover and are seeing one of their best winters in years. Even relatively flat states like Ohio and Illinois offer fun and a bit of challenge for skiers and boarders. Cross country skiers and snowshoers can find interesting terrain to explore in any part of the country, as can snowmobilers. And you’ll find great toboggan and tubing runs everywhere.
Finding an open RV campground can be a little more challenging in some areas, but even in the Rockies some campgrounds stay open year-round to accommodate winter sports enthusiasts. Of course, the RV lifestyle allows you to be self-sufficient at least for weekend trips into the snow-bound wilderness. Just make sure to exercise common sense, follow safety rules and always let someone back home know your plans. When you RV, nothing holds you back; so get out there and spray a little powder!
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