RV Real Estate:Own It! + Campground Good News/Bad News

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           CAMPGROUND GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

        Wheel Estate Isn't Real Estate.Should You Buy Your Own Lot?
 

RV Life: A LOT to Learn

    Recently a scandal broke when RV lot “owners”  in a commercial campground were left holding the bag when the campground was sold.  They thought they had  paid the original owner for lifetime rights to their campsites. They were wrong. The new owner of the land did not honor that deal.

    As real estate becomes more valuable, you’ll see sticker shock everywhere. A Florida developer is advertising modular homes (not mobiles homes, RV’s or park models) for sale on leased land. Apartment houses are going condo. Nightly, weekly and seasonal rents  are soaring for everything from storage units and garages to lakefront campsites.

        Eviction notices are coming as a shock.  Squatters are moving in. "No Vacancy" and "Campground Full"  signs bloom everywhere. Reservations are hard to get.

 

 
    If high campground rates are getting you down and you’re thinking of investing in RV real estate, how can you make a wise buy in today’s crazy economy?

    When you own your own RV lot you come and go as you please. No reservations, no time limits. Owning an RV lot can be a safe harbor or an albatross, so let’s sort it out.  This isn’t about campground memberships or time shares. We are talking a deeded  purchase of your own patch of ground.

    At its simplest the tract might be country acreage where you can install septic, electric and water. Then you can come “home” and plug in as you please (zoning permitting.) Raw land is likely to grow in value and meanwhile you are free to sell the property,  or continue to use it as an RV lot, or build something else there.
    
            If luxury is your aim you can easily spend $100,000 or more for a small slab  in a five-start RV resort with swimming pools, tennis and golf.  Monthly maintenance fees are additional (and are going up.)  If the RV is your full-time home, you might even invest in lots in two camping resorts noth and south, and  move with the seasons. Another choice is to buy an RV lot at today’s prices as a future RV retirement spot but lease it out until you’re ready to use it.

  

What do zoning laws, HOA and other rules say about additional structures or facilities on your lot? 

 

 

 

     Today’s real estate market is a casino. There’s always risk but also the possibility to profit. As the old saying goes,  “They can print more money but they can’t print more land.” In many popular vacation areas, RV lots are sold out and there’s a waiting list. Worse still, some campgrounds campers and the valuable land is used for high-rise condos. 

 

     Why buy a deeded RV lot in a campground?  (1) Financing is probably available. (2) As a member of the owners’ association you’ll have a vote about costs and management. (3) Unless special circumstances arise, the property can’t be sold out from under you. (4)  If  management has a rental program for your site when you’re out roving, the lot earns money for you.

    Before signing, have a real estate attorney look over the contract in case there are hidden snares. Know exactly what is in deed convenants, ongoing costs, assessment fees,  park rules. Know how rules will affect you now and in the future when, say, you want to install a more permanent structure on the site or whether you must get a new RV after so-many years. Look at the land use plans presently in place to see what might be in store for property adjoining yours.

    Your own due diligence should also include topo maps (does the land flood?). Cost of clearing? Is the plot will be accessible? In all seasons? What about access for your oversize RV?  

     An RV lot purchase can take many forms. Just as in other real estate deals, you’ll see condo lots, co-op parks, long-term leases, rent or lease with option to buy, owner financing, perhaps even short sales and other exotic wrinkles. Know before you buy. 

 

Janet Groene’s Survival Food Handbook is  written for campers and sailors who have limited storage space, yet may face a sudden emergency such as a mechanical breakdown or evacuation. It's a guide to buying, stowing and preparing supermarket staples for boondocking and unexpected glitches. http://amzn.to/1WdYqbe

 

 

 

     CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS


    We troll local real estate news for early clues to where new campsites can be found.  Those listed here are for you to investigate and evaluate. The new may be premature or incomplete.

 * Celebrating a name change with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 24 will be the former Camp Tamarack RV Park in Grand Prairie, Alberta. Now a KOA Journey,  the campground has  easy set up services including good lighting after dark, an upgraded playground, Kamp K9,, horseshoe pits and basketball courts. Nearby are dunes for ATV riders.

    * The National Park Service announces the reopening of  Havasupai Gardens Campground and the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails in Grand Canyon NP on April 15. Closed since late 2023, the areas have new rest houses, water services and many other improvements. More improvements continue and w ill open as they are completed. The water filling stations at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses are projected to be available by mid-May. Check the NP websites for news of ongoing openings that will continue through 2025.

*Just around the corner from  the Music City RV Show at the Wilson County Fair Grounds in Lebanon, Tennessee , the city of Nashville spreads all of its tourist attractions. Dates are June 4-7. You’ll see seas of 2025  RV’s in all sizes and layouts including the latest in luxury diesel pushers.

    * Calaveras County, California  is about to have another of its famous frog jumping contests. The  historic event that has grown from a mere contest to a busy weekend of wine, camping, historic sites and outdoor fun. Dates for the Jumping Frog Jubilee are May 16-19. RV camping is s at the Angels Camp RV Resort,  (209) 736-0404. It’s south of downtown Angels Camp with its boutiques, restaurants, museums, zip lines and more. The RV resort's amenities include a seasonal pool, fire pits, dog park, playground, sand volleyball, horseshoes, kitchen pavilion, meeting room, laundry, propane, dump station, and WiFi..

 * In Strawn, Texas, halfway between Abilene and Fort Worth, the new Palo Pinto Mountains  State Park is taking shape in phases. An opening date hasn’t yet been announced. Centerpiece of the park will be 90-acre Tucker Lake. Features of the 4,800 acre park will include more than 12 miles of bike trails (to grow later to 20 miles),  spacious campsites, a dock, playground and equestrian campsites. RV sites will have water and electric but full hookups will be provided for camp hosts. A dump station will also be provided.

* Save the dates August 29-September 2 be in Mount Pleasant, Iowa for the Midwest Old Threshers Festival. Reserve your RV site early in the 72-acre campground with electric, dump stations and four restrooms/shower houses. The campground store has groceries and ice; a shuttle runs to the main festival area. Bring the kids to see old steam engines, antique cars and tractors, bygone engines and live horses. See live  performers and plenty of old-time music. Learn to square dance. See the parade, cheer at the Horse Pull and feast at food vendors. Go to OldThreshers.org/ Get multi-day earlybird tickets online at a discount.

* Progress is being made in Port Richey, Florida towards a new campground to be built on 16 heavily wooded acres. The land has a natural spring and will be developed with 120 RV sites with an “old Florida” look.  Stay tuned.

    * Faithful regulars at Barnacles Resort & Campground in Aitkin, Minnesota will find a new restaurant there late this month. Now known as the Mudflats Bar & Grill, the restaurant under new owners is a centerpiece of the 97-site campground. All sites have full hookups and about half are lakefront.

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RV Fitness on the Go + This Week's Campsite News

Blog copyright Janet Groene 2024. To support this free service with your voluntary, anonymous  subscription, send $10 every April to janetgroene via Paypal. 

A Perfect Fit

copyright Janet Groene 2024

Is your fitness program giving you fits as an RV traveler? Are you constantly looking for a full-service gym with trainers and state-of-the-art equipment? 

    Listen up! National chains such as Gold's Gym, 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime Fitness and LA Fitness allow travelers to find consistent service, equipment, coaching and programs in hundreds of locations nationwide.  

Here are just a few options for RV women on the go:

BlueCross/BlueShield members get discounts on a choice of more than 9.000 fitness centers through a program known as Blue365. Ask. 

Most upscale camping resorts offer fitness centers but they are all different. If you are committed to one regimen or one brand of fitness machines, it may pay to join a national gym chain that has the same standards at every facility.

Motels and hotels usually have a fitness center, day spa and swimming pool. Many offer a day pass or monthly membership to outsiders. Call ahead to ask about rules and day rates.  

YMCA/YWCA centers throughout North America may offer a guest visit for free or fee. 

Facilities and staffing vary according to location but most offer swimming. Many gyns don’t have a pool.  

Before joining a national chain, make sure you can use your membership card at any member facility. There may be a guest charge or a limit on how often you may be a guest. 

What to look for:

* According to one state’s attorney general, complaints against fitness club contracts are second only to complaints about robot calls. Shop carefully, read the fine print and know what you’re getting into.

* Understand each gym's philosophy. Is your goal overall wellness, strength training, weight loss, mental calm or training for a specific sport? What protocols are available and what certifications do staff have?

* Senior discounts and family memberships can be found. Shop around.  Know not just the cost of membership but what you get, and do not get, for the price. Is the use of some facilities at extra cost?

* How convenient are the gym’s hours and are they the same at every member of the chain?  Some are open 24/7. 

* Beware of automatic renewal clauses on your credit card. Some travelers find they have unwittingly signed up for another year. 

* Is the gym registered with the state consumerism department? Have any complaints been filed with any agency or the BBB? If so, how were they resolved?

* Does the gym require a long-term commitment? 

* Does the gym charge an up-front fee? Service fees, such as registration fees, membership fees, processing or start-up fees, may be required. However, says the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, it must be considered a "reasonable and fair service fee," meaning no more than 10 percent of the contract price.

    * What's the best way to pay?  Setting up an automatic withdrawal from your checking account may result in problems if there is ever a dispute.   Is there a cancellation fee?  Does your state law allow penalty-free cancellation in writing within X days? 

* What state laws are in place to protect customers in case the gym closes, moves or merges with another chain? They vary state to state.

One choice is to create your own fitness regimen,, one you can follow inside the RV,  outdoors,  on the beach or grass, home and away, rain or shine

CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Are new campsites coming to your state or province? Check back here weekly for news in the US and Canada 

 

• * Save the dates August 29-September 2 be in Mount Pleasant,  Iowa for the Midwest Old Threshers Festival. Reserve your RV site early for a spot in the 72-acre campground with electric, dump stations and four restrooms/shower houses. The campground store has groceries and ice; a shuttle runs to the main festival area. Bring the kids to see old steam engines, antique cars and tractors, bygone engines and live horses. See live  performers and plenty of old-time music. Learn to square dance. See the parade, cheer at the Horse Pull and feast at food vendors. Go to OldThreshers.org/ Get multi-day earlybird tickets online at a discount. 
•  
• * In Ottumwa, Iowa, the Ottumwa Park Campground is now open for the season and with a new shower house.  Rates are $20 night, tent or RV. The campground doesn’t accept reservations but you can ask questions by calling (641) -682-1307.  
  

* In Jefferson County, Iowa summer is a-comin’ in.  Jefferson County Park is open but bathrooms may not be ready yet. Mae Coon Access is open for self-contained campers. No facilities are available at Round Prairie Park, but it’s open with picnic tables, fire rings and a pit toilet. A new, 14-site county RV campground is planned to be built off Key Boulevard in Fairfield by next summer.  

* Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina will close its Bear Island campground and shut down  ferry service this summer. No camping reservations will be accepted until an opening date is announced. 

•  
• * Progress is being made in Port Richey, Florida towards a new campground to be built on 16 heavily wooded acres. The land has a natural spring and will be developed with 120 RV sites with an “old Florida” look.  Stay tuned.
•  
•    * Dunnellon, Florida is about to get an RV park named after the 1962  Elvis Presley musical, “Follow That Dream”, which was filmed in this area. The Follow That Dream RV Resort will have 228 sites and luxury amenities.
  

    * Faithful regulars at Barnacles Resort & Campground in Aitkin, Minnesota will fnd a new restaurant opening late this month. Now known as the Mudflats Bar & Grill, the resort's former restaurant, now under new owners,  is a centerpiece of the 97-site campground. All sites have full hookups and about half are lakefront.

                           
*Another Carefree Covered RV Storage just celebrated a grand opening in Surprise, Arizona, the sixth location for this group. In 14 acres, the site offers 632 covered RV parking, 24-hour security, a dog park, Wi-Fi and ice.Visit www.carefreecoveredrvstorage.com/ The brand expects to continue growing in Arizona and Texas. 

 
    * Peach Queen Campground in Jemison, Alabama has new owners. The historic, 82-site campground has full hookups, a dog park, swimming pool and a spring-fed lake. Owned by the same family sine the 1800's and a campground since 1974, the land is now owned by a large real estate group that owns many campgrounds in the Southeast,  Renovations are underway and lakeside cabins are expected to be added in the future.  (334) 514-6659.

 
    * Ririe, Idaho will finally realize its long-anticipated Farmhouse Table restaurant at the 7N Ranch Resort, which has cabins as well as RV sites with full hookups.  An opening is tentatively planned for April 15, but check ahead at (208) 538.5097. As part of the Idaho Falls metro area, the destination restaurant will offer farm-to-table dining. The ranch is known for outdoor sports such as tubing, fishing,  mountain biking,  rock climbing and a driving ranges. 

 
* Mark your calendar for Farmer’s Market days in Opelousas, Louisiana every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning and in  Eunice, Louisiana on the first Saturday of the month.

 
    * After closing for renovations, Knob Noster (Missouri)  State Park will reopen on April 15.  Eight RV sites were upgraded to full hookups, new concrete pads were poured and each of the 25 campsites were spiffed up. Go to mostateparks.com.

 

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RV Drivers & Road Rage + Campground News

 

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CAMPGROUND GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS FEATURE

 

Park It Here!

    The news is full of road rage incidents, many of them in parking lots. This isn’t about illegal overnight parking or squatting.  It's about making your everyday parking safer, swifter and more responsible.  As RV-ers we are special targets everywhere. We are oversize, slow to maneuver and, frankly, we sometimes are thoughtless about  hogging the passing lane.   

          

Can you and your RV and/or toad  be less of a target for road rage?  

    We went to Shawn Conrad, executive director of the International Parking Institute to get insider tips on parking. 

 
                                    
    * Allow extra time for parking. When we feel rushed, stress levels rise and we become more accident prone. 

     * Plan ahead. The website for your destination, such as a mall , stadium or theme park, may may offer parking tips. There may even be a smart phone app that tips you off to available spaces at the mall or event site. Janet adds: parking charges are soaring. It's possible that your campground offers a shuttle to town, the game or the theme park and avoid the hassle of parking there. 

    * It wastes fuel to cruise around, looking for a parking spot. Head for a spot further from the entrance. Added bonus: extra walking helps keep you fit.  

 

     *  Show good will toward fellow drivers. When waiting for a spot, don't block others looking for parking spaces. Make sure you take up only one spot and that your neighbors can open their vehicle doors. When you’re driving an RV, keep in mind that you’re also an ambassador for all RV drivers. Do your best at staying out of the way of faster, more agile vehicles. 

          * When at the wheel or walking to your car, avoid distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, checking shopping lists, or anything that prevents you from being aware of what is happening around you.

    * Watch for children. They can dart out quickly, run behind cars or stand below your line of vision. Mirrors and rear-viewing TV may miss toddlers. 

Respect lines for oversize handicap spots. Drivers need space to extend ramps and deploy wheelchairs. 

 

    
    * Be safe. Park in well-lit areas, close your windows (and RV curtains), and lock your doors including basement doors (except the propane storage door.)  Hide valuables and packages so they can’t be seen from outside. When returning to your car or RV, have your keys/audible alarm out and ready.

 

    * It’s hard to hide a high RV but you may want to jot down your parking location (or enter it in your GPS)  so you won't forget where you parked.

    * Know the exact height of your vehicle in feet and inches. If you’ve added anything on the rooftop, don’t forget that.  Think twice before entering an indoor parking garage. The controlling height for all ramps and floors should be clearly posted. 

Mother's Day is May 12

Does SOMEONE YOU KNOW

LONG TO GO RV ROVING?

   Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Ed. This book is the perfect gift for retirement, get well, Mother's Day, Father's Day or birthday. It covers the full-time RV life from making the decision to taking the exit ramp when and if that time comes. Order at any book store or have Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. Paperback or Kindle, http://amzn.to/29XFEkq
 

      CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/ BAD NEWS

     IS A NEW RV PARK COMING TO YOUR STATE OR PROVINCE?

This is hard news freshly gathered from local sources in the US and Canada such as read estate transfers and zoning hearings. It covers future, proposed and tentative RV slots, not campground reviews. It may be premature or incomplete. Check it out on your own as the story develops.

  * Wrangling continues in Buffalo Lake, Alberta over the proposed 300-site Bar W RV Resort but things are moving in the right direction. The County of Stettler approved the development permit in 2023. Keep your fingers crossed.

* On the west side of The Dalles, Oregon an unfinished campground may see completion if it gets the grant it hopes for. For now the county owns the 159-acre plot, which already has water, electric, sewer and cable TV  hookups. The area near Chenoweth Creek is known for its views of The Dalles, Foley Lakes and the Columbia River. If approved the campground will be completed with showers and other facilities. It’s up to Wasco County.  

* In an area popular for Native American tourism,  animal parks and a large genealogical library, Hugo,  Oklahoma now has a new place for RV travelers. The Hugo RV Park has 29 sites.  Enjoy water sports at Hugo Lake State Park, and don’t miss the train displays at the Depot Museum. Book online  at HugoRVPark.com/

 

 
* Hitch up your mountain bike(s) and come to Georgetown, Kentucky for the the Bluegrass Mountain Racing Cup on May 17. Discover the Skullbuster Trails at the Lytles Fork Recreation Area. Volunteer trail stewards built a network of technical single tracks.  Two styles of racing will run simultaneously, —a six-hour endurance race and a standard cross country race with a set number of laps. Both runs begin at 9 a.m. Food trucks will be on hand after the races. Camping is nearby  at Whispering Woods RV Park and at Kentucky Horse Park, which has both RV and tent sites.  See BluegrassMountainCup.com/

    * Cave Junction, Oregon has a new  KOA with 63 full hook-up sites, a K9 Kamp, and a playground. It’s about 30 minutes SW of Grants Pass, Oregon, and 53 miles NE of  Crescent City., California.  The caves here were discovered  in the 19th century. Now the area is known for the Illinois Folks State Park, which has picnicking, fishing, disc golf and a life jacket lending station.   

 

  * Bask in springtime sunshine at the Life’s Extra Birding Celebration in Marion, Virginia. It’s held at Hungry Mother State Park, May 3-5. Bring the family for programs,  talks and birdwatching.  The park has three campgrounds, some with partial hookups and some with full hook-ups.  To participate in the Celebration, pre-register ($) For information call (276) 781-7400. For camping or cabin reservations go to l resvs@dcr.virginia.gov or call 800-933-PARK (7275).

 

LaMrque Crossroads

 * Near Galveston, La Marque, Texas  is about to explode in size and services with a new, $80 million development. Included in the 62-acre project will be a RV resort, hotel, convention center,  lake, boardwalk,   restaurants, shops and bars. It’s too early to target an opening date but keep your eye on this one as a future RV destination.  

    * RV-ers who love Dark Sky locations find a home in remote Marathon, Texas. The Marathon Motel and RV Resort in the Big Bend Region is in the state’s largest, yet lowest population county.  It’s cupped in surrounding mountains that protect the locale from light pollution. Stay here for the observatory and astronomy as well as for modest rates by the night, week or $500/month. The park has 29 RV sites with electric and sewer. Water is extra. See marathonmotel.com for RV reservations and  details on the dark sky facilities.
 
    * Brush Creek Falls Resort in Princeton, West Virginia is becoming a theme park complete with roller coaster!. The former race track has RV camping, cabins, a gem mine, putt-putt golf and a barn for get-togethers. The Mountain Coaster is slated for an  August opening. . See VisitMercerCounty.com for updates.

    * A former military industrial site in Riverhead, New York is being considered for development as a 10-site RV park. The acreage known as EPCAL, now owned by the city, would be leased for a campground operator for 30 to 50 years. The proposal calls for a year-round campground with hockey rink, hunting areas, showers, tent sites, cabins, clubhouse and a lake.
       
* To open this summer in London, Tennessee is another Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. The new resort on Watts Bar Lake will have two swimming pools and other water features plus an outdoor movie, laser tag, wagon rides, gem mining, dog park, laundry and luxury pull-through RV sites. As soon as reservations open they’ll be at www.wattsbarlakejellystonepark.com.

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RV Red Alert! Buying an Older RV? + New Campground Announcements

 

Blog copyright Janet Groene 2024. Thank you for supporting  this free weekly blog. If you wish, send $10 once a year via PayPal to janetgroene at yahoo.com

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Buying A Retro RV?
8 Hidden Traps to Avoid

    The hunt is on all over the world for vintage travel trailers. Many buyers  want to flip them for a quick profit.  Other buyers want to restore them for use as on-site campers and even as roadworthy RV’s. 

 

Not all parks accept older RV's

    You may get a great buy, but restoring an old trailer or motorhome has hazards to your budget as well as your  life.

 

 

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL.When was the RV built?  In 1989, the U.S. Government banned certain asbestos building products, including flooring felt. However manufacturing, processing, and importing these products was allowed until August of 1990 and they were sold until August, 1992. One common use for asbestos then was in RV floor tiles. Flaking lead paints? Lead paints were in use until 1978. Removing old materials, or continuing to live with them,  could be hazardous to your health. 

 

Flaking paint may be a sign of trouble in the sub surface

COSMETICS aren’t easy to fix if  former owners have slapped on layers paint over a bad surface, or  put new tile over a rotting floor. It can be a huge job to undo these cover-ups before you can do real cosmetic repairs. Some ugly stains and smells, such as black mold, rust, mildew, wood rot, delamination and some types of aluminum corrosion have 

 

a life of their own and continue to grow, creep and destroy.  Vehicles that were flooded by sea water are famous for lifelong electrical problems because salt water corrosion continues to migrate through the wiring.

Wood rot, rust, cracks can lurk under paneling

LEAKS. Dry rot, or wood rot, is a living fungus that travels and destroys, often behind the scenes. Worse still, the  water leaks that feed the fungus may be almost impossible to find. A tiny leak under a window seal may channel water down an exterior wall to a structural member and across to the other side before it exits.  One woman bought a travel trailer, hitched it up, pulled away, and only the hitch came with her. It pulled right out of the rotted frame.

 

 When wood rot is found, dig it out until you come to sound wood, which may be many feet away from the telltale spot. The source of the leak must also be found and fixed. One owner found and traced a small break in the sealant around the rooftop air conditioner. Water entered  under the AC, traveled the length of the roof, then downward and around corners to come out in a rear tire well. The entire RV structure was riddled with rot.   

TERMITES. We’ve all heard about this hapless buyer. Her travel trailer’s inner walls and outer skin looked good. Then the kitchen cupboards fell down because termites had eaten the wooden uprights between the two walls. Roaches and rodents may also have set up lairs deep in the RV.

WIRING in an old trailer  is probably frayed and brittle. It needs to be replaced from stem to stern with new and heavier duty wiring and more outlets for today’s needs. You need proper grounding and exterior lights as required for highway use.
    Have the work done by an electrician who knows both 12-volt and 110-volt  systems as well as RV’s. RV’s move,  vibrate, flex. Wires need proper routing, shielding from chafe and  securing.. This is also the time to do proper new installations for a generator, inverter, solar panels and cables.

Mildew and black mold may be seen or unseen

PLUMBING, usually plastic, may be brittle or worse in an old RV. If it wasn’t properly winterized over the years, there could be cracks.  The RV's tanks, traps, hoses and pipes could be filthy with stagnant water and stubborn growths. Sealants dry out and crack. Joints twist and flex with road motion. Some or all plumbing may need to be replaced.

 

 

 

 PROPANE plumbing is also subject to leaks, which can be deadly. Some early RV’s had gas lights as well as a gas furnace, stove and refrigerator. Remove re-route and replace to assure that the entire system,  including the tanks,  is up to code.

 

  

 

 

 CHASSIS. Metals rust and are subject to metal fatigue and galvanic corrosion. Tires weaken with age and sun damage,  even if it doesn’t show in the tread.  Bolts vibrate and loosen. Welds crack or weaken. If you’ll be taking a vintage RV on the road, have an expert check it out where the rubber meets the road.  That’s literally the BOTTOM LINE. 

Happy Camping

Farley Halladay is a 50-ish widow whose husband died in an unexplained fall from the mainmast of their ketch. She's now in Florida, operating a charterboat booking agency online while caregiving, cooking her favorite galley recipes and solving crimes with the help of her dog, Scuppers, and her wacky friends. If you love cozy mysteries with a salty setting, light up your e-reader tonight with Book 4 of the Yacht Yenta series.

April Avenger is available for Kindle, Nook. Google Play and most other ebook formats.  https://amzn.to/3EKgaoP

 

         CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

This is hard news gathered from local sources in the US and Canada. It may be premature, tentative or incomplete. No endorsement of any park, campground, company or service is implied. Follow up on your own.  

 *New since January in Estacada, Oregon, is the River Mill RV Park, a member of the RV Inn Style Resorts family. Winter rates at the park which is 30 miles southeast of Portland, are $45 nightly or $750 a month. Summer rates go to $65 nightly.  The park offers full hookups, showers, a laundry and a rec center with kitchen. If your RV  was built before 2000, send pictures for approval. The rig must be fully functioning.

* Another campground is closing, thanks to trashy “campers” who left the place in a mess. For two years, overnight camping and campfires will not be permitted at San Carpoforo Creek Beach, Big Sur, California.

 Be at Askew’s Land RV Campgound in Edwards, Mississippi for the Spring Soiree on April 20. Camping folks will pour in from all over to join in for a day of vendors, music, food trucks, crafts, contests and children’s activities. RV and tent sites are available; non-campers pay $5 admission for the day's program, which ends with a sunset concert. 

In Yellowknife, North West Territories, a 22-site RV campground is one step closer to reality. The proposed Kam Lake campground near Grace Lake has passed its first reading at the city council. There’s also talk of creating a 9-hole golf course on this property.


* West of Fort Myers in Alva, Florida, locals are pondering a proposal for a 700-unit RV campground.  The small community on the Caloosahatchee River is known for warm winters and its historic chapel and library.

    * New in Sneedville, Tennessee is Out on the Creek Campground & RV Park. It  has full hookups and now WIFi has been added. (423) 40-3252)  Book a creekside campsite and go kayaking, hiking and bicycling.

    * Newly opened near Fredericksburg, Texas is Skye Texas Hill Country Resort,  (888) 412-7555.  Amenties  include cart rentals, a resort style swimming pool with spa,  free high-speed WiFi, bathhouses, a general store, clubhouse, laundry, ball courts and a pet wash station. Every site has EV charging. Fast charging is available at extra cost. The resort has its own vineyards.


* A new campground is promised in Abilene, Texas, home of the Whiskey Rodeo, historic Lake Fort Phantom Hill and a menu of things to do indoors and outside. The 25-acre site approved for the new RV park will have 40 RV sites, a seven-acre wildflower meadow and a future butterfly reserve.  Keep up with developments at (www.) AbileneVisitors.com/

Mother Day is in May....

MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GIVES MOM DELICIOUS, 

SHORTCUT RECIPES FOR RV OR ANYWHERE

In one,  handsome paperback, Mom can have more than 270 easy recipes and tips to take on the road and use at home too. Order Cooking Aboard Your RV  by Janet Groene, (Ragged Mountain Press) at any book store or have Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/3nNndWY 

 

An RV-ers Guide to Pet Insurance + New RV Parks

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE BREAKING

CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS 

Points to Ponder:
Pet Health Insurance for RV Travelers

Copypright Janet Groene 2024

    As a traveler, you can’t be sure where you’ll be when a health emergency occurs for yourself or your pet. The insurance policy sold by your hometown vet could TOO LOCAL for your needs.

You are seeking the best coverage with the best customer service at the price point that works best for your budget, your travels and your pet.

 

 

     Most insurers offer levels of overage based on three basic price  categories:
    Maximum Coverage, usually $1500 to Unlimited; Reimbursement, usually 70% to 90% and Deductible, commonly $100 to $1,000.

 Within these categories, there may be additional choices such as one deductible for an accident and zero cost for routine checkups. The most common policies are comprehensive, accident-only or preventive only.
   
    * Is there a discount for multiple pets? For a micro-chipped pet? For paying premiums annually rather than monthly?

    * If you are incapacitated and have to put the pet in a kennel, is there coverage for that?

 

    * Are premiums higher for your breed?  For your pet’s age?  Is your breed known to be subject to hereditary or congenital problems?      

             
    * What about long-term care or specialists? Dental care? Vaccines? Special foods? Medications? 

    * Some insurance policies address behavioral problems for pets that require special training or therapy.

    * Liability coverage (your pet injures a person or property) may be included in your pet insurance policy or in other policies you carry. 

    * As a paying customer  you are also concerned with the quality of customer service online, in person by mail and by phone. 

    * While many “how to choose  pet insurance”  reviews and “Five Best Pet Insurance Policies”  are found online, some are posted by insurance companies and slanted to the type of coverage they provide.  Unbiased comparisons are available from sources such as ConsumerReports.org, BestMoney.com and Forbes.com/  You can also check with Better Business Bureaus and individual state insurance fraud bureaus. For details on how to file a complaint see  https://www.peopleclerk.com/post/consumer-report-pet-insurance/ 

USA and Canada:

CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

 This late breaking news is from local media, real estate  journals and zoning requests. It may be premature or incomplete. Check out each tip on your own, then pounce on reservations before word gets out.

* Long closed, the  Mt. Baker RV campground in Cranbrook, British Columbia may reopen as a boondock site for this summer. There will be a washroom and dump station but no individual hookups. Stays will be limited to seven days or less. The future of the campground is still being debated while new water works are being installed. Stay tuned.

* Phoenix RV Park & Storage in Salem, Oregon, has new owners. The park has 107 RV sites with full hookups. The clubhouse has a common kitchen and fitness center. Outside is a playground, dog park and picnic areas. No changes have been announced at this time.

    *Rock the rim at Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy, Florida on April 20 when the ranger-led Rim Ramble Hike focuses on the unique nature of this place.   Site of an enormous sinkhole, this site is biologically, geologically, and historically unique. Sign up to hike the 1.5-mile La Chua Trail. Groups are limited to 25 people (no pets except service animals. Call the ranger station at (352) 466-3397. 

Play to stay a while to discover all this huge park has to offer. It's also on the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail and the Florida Birding Trail.  RV camp sites are back-in. Most have 30-amp service; some have 50 amps. Camping and cabin reservations (800) 326-3521. The park also offers equestrian campsites, which can be reached only on foot, horseback or bicycle.

* Near  Walhalla, North Dakota, Pembina Gorge Recreation Area is becoming a state park. That means a campground will be added! The plan calls for  50 or more RV sites with power and water, restrooms with showers, a playground and possibly a visitor center with learning areas, trails and a nature-themed playground.  Meanwhile the area is open to day visitors, hikers, equestrians and snowmobilers. The new project begins by mid-May. A completion date hasn’t been announced.

    * Ground breaking for the posh  new Locker’s Southern View Luxury Motorcoach Resort is set for early summer near Nashville, Tennessee. The resort will have 285 deeded lots slated for Class A and Super C class motorhomes. As a lot owner, you can design your own patio, outdoor kitchen and other features. Owners can also put their sites in a rental pool. About half the sites will be available for overnighters. 

Luxury amenities will include a clubhouse, swimming pool, hot tub, gym, conference center, library, concierge and laundry. Phase One will open in 2025. Phase Two is expected to have a restaurant and an owners’ restaurant. A shuttle will take guests to Nashville shows and attractions, 25 minutes from the resort. Get on the mail list at https://lsvmotorcoachresort.com/

* RV Travelers will soon have a new place to vacation on the Space Coast. Approved in Sebastian, Florida is the Open Spaces Luxury RV Resort & Tiny Homes. An opening date hasn’t yet been prorjected . The 3.5-acre resort is slated to have 13 RV sites as well as some tiny homes, full hookups, high speed internet, security, showers, laundry and outdoor cooking spaces.

    * In Louisiana, two state park campgrounds are being upgraded to full hookups. They are Fontainbleau and Tickfaw state parks. The project continues through the summer and should be completed in time for fall travelers.

 

* Camp on site at The Caverns in Grundy County, Tennessee during the Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival August 17-18. Hear music above ground and in the caves. Bring your own instrument for open jam sessions. Hear appearances by big-name artists. Attend workshops. Food trucks will be on hand. Campsites are free but oversize vehicles such as RV’s pay $99 for a site without hookups. General admission tickets start at $79 for the two days. Children ages 12 and under are free. (931) 516-9724


* A proposed master plan is in place for a  new look at Flinty Campground in Flin Flon, Manitoba.The home  of the famous Blueberry Jam Music Gathering will double its number of campsites and add new pathways, more outdoor seating and amenities such as mini-golf. Stay tuned.

    * Parking will be free at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas during the massive DFW RV Party, scheduled this year for April 11-14. Seas of  RV’s will fill the playing  field. See trailers  to Texas-size fifth wheels and luxurious Class A pushers. More than an RV show, it’s a barbecue, concert and a massive meet-and-greet with seminars, demo’s and entertainers.  Details at (www.) DFWRVPARTY.com

* Egyptian Hills Resort in Marion, Illinois now flies the KOA flag. The resort has 44 RV sites with full hookups plus world of watersports, live music in season, a snack shop serving pizza and ice cream and a playground. The resort’s location in southern Illinois is directly on the viewing route for the eclipse.

    * New in Toquerville, Utah (near St. George),  Settlers Junction RV Park lies on the scenic Zion byway. Amenities include a swimming pool, ball parks and courts, putting greens, a playground and a business center in the spacious clubhouse. The resort offers direct access to the area’s ATV and UTV trails.
 

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