10 RV TIPS FOR ALLERGY ESCAPE + RV Park News

                             SEASIDE CAMPING BRINGS FRESH AIR TO POLLEN SUFFERERS 

RV TRAVELER: ESCAPE YOUR ALLERGIES

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE BREAKINGNEWS OF NEW AND CHANGING RV PARKS

10 Tips: How RV’s Run from Allergies

Are you on the lam from a pesky allergy that could ruin your stay in the mountains, seashore or  prairies? Thanks to your RV you can out-run some allergies and out-smart others.

 Here are just a few random strategies to keep in mind while planning your next RV trip.

1. Start with the RV itself.  Take an allergy inventory of the RV's  indoor air. Clean filters. Get  HEPA air filters and perhaps even a HEPA air purifier.. Wipe down surfaces with a product such as Clorox PURE allergen buster.  Give the RV plenty of ventilation, especially when it’s new and gassing off volatiles from building and furnishing materials.

    If the RV has ’been closed for a while,  a good scrub down can banish allergens that flourished during storage such as dust, dust mites, fungi, molds and mildew. Launder bedding and towels if they smell funky or just refresh and fluff  them with a run through a hot dryer.

See camp-tested recipes for camping and glamping. Save fuel, water, mess and eat better for less.  https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com 

2. Know your enemy. The more you know about your specific allergy, the better. Pollens are often regional and seasonal. If you know the one pollen that affects you, and when that pollen blooms in a particular area, you can fine-tune travel dates to suit. 

3. Do your driving in early morning and late evening,, when pollution levels are usually lowest.  Park the RV down-wind from sea breezes, which are purer and park away from winds off, say, a smoky factory, farm field or woods. 

4. Shower and shampoo often. Change pillow cases frequently.

5. Consult pollen.com for maps, times of day, wind conditions and the many factors that drive a particular pollen.

6. Would it be a good idea to carry a card listing your food sensitivities for the restaurant chef? Severe food allergies, of course, call for stronger measures such as carrying an Epi-Pen and wearing a medical alert bracelet or device.

Make your own trail mix, sweet or savory, to shave calories, save money, avoid allergens. Easy recipes at https://createagorp.blogspot.com  

7. The most common pollen allergies involve three main plant families. They are  trees in spring, grasses in late spring and summer, and weeds, especially ragweed in late summer and autumn. Your nemesis may be specific such as oak, birch, Bermuda grass, Timothy grass, or ragweed. Keep records of your reactions and see an allergist who can test for specific pollens

8. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, many plants release pollen early in the day. Add in morning’s cooler temperatures and higher humidity and pollen stays closer to the ground.

9. Check the pollen forecast for your destination and plan your itinerary accordingly, especially if you’re thinking of spending a lot of time outdoors.

10. While you may not be allergic to your dog or cat, its fur can be loaded with pollen when it comes into the RV from the outdoors. Try a quick wipe-down with a pet wipe or damp cloth.. 

Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

NEW AND SOON-TO-BE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Introduced last summer in Hallsville,  Texas is  Galilee Oaks RV Park and Campgrounds with 13 spacious, full hook-up RV sites and plans a-plenty for future additions such as a fishing pond,  a lounge for digital nomads and a covered area leading to the bathrooms and laundry. They don’t appear to have a website yet. Email galileeoaksrvpark@gmail.com or phone  (903) 240-9623.

 Now open just outside Hugo Oklahoma,, Hugo RV Park has 29 RV sites with full hookups and Wi-F. The park also has a laundry, general store and mini-storage. Hugo Lake is known for fishing and boating. (580) -919-1503. 

    Roaming Trails RV Retreat is coming to  Burleson, Texas in February: This park will feature 196 generously sized  RV sites and all hookups. The resort will have zero entry pool, clubhouse,  fitness center, laundry, security and lots of Texas fun such as horseback riding  and line dancing. Other luxury Roaming Trails luxury RV resorts are coming to San Antonio and Killeen. See RoamingTrailsRV.com/

New in the Gem State is the St. Maries Riverfront RV Resort on the St. Joe River in St. Maries,  Idaho.  The 42-site resort has modern hookups, a laundry, fishing pier and swimming area. Reserve far ahead for special events such as Paul Bunyan Days over Labor Day and jetboat races in May. Get full details about this historic, scenic area from the Chamber of Commerce, StMariesChamber.org/

By next summer, 135 new RV sites are expected to be available in Anchorage, Alaska with the completion  of the Denali View R-V Resort.  Plans call for trails, a garden with historic markers and a playground. Reservations are not yet open.

George T. Bagby State Park, Georgia has a new, 32-site RV park with full hookups as well as new park features including classrooms, a renovated pool, ball courts, laundry and an amphitheater. The park is on 45,000-acre Lake Eufaula, one of the south’s best birding spots for migrating waterfowl. Check fpr an opening date in the New Year. Georgiastateparks.org/

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CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS

It  takes a scorecard to keep up with all the improvements and additions that are happening at Burlingame State Park, Charlestown, Rhode Island. It’s been difficult  to get reservations because of uncertainties and delays but now is a good time to book for 2026,  when many new campsites and facilities will open. Phase 1 (2023-2025):has been  replacement of outdated facilities in the Mills Camp, Midpark North, and Fish Camp areas. Phase 2 (2026-2027): will bring replacement of facilities in Legiontown, Midpark South, and Main Camp.. Get updates at https://riparks.ri.gov/campgrounds/burlingame-campground/.

Thanks to a $100,000 grant, Poland Creek Campgrounds in  Louisville, Tennessee will have a bright new look in 2026. Improvements will include anew fishing pier, better grading around the campground and general upgrades to the amenities. The campground is SSW of Knoxville on Lake Loudon. It has 34 campsites at present, most of them with electric hookups.. It’s expected that more will be added. (865) 257-6320

In Hibbing, Minnesota, city authorities are funding a new 29-site RV campground for Carey Lake Park. Facilities will include a dump station, showers and access to the beach and a bike trail, all ADA accessible. An opening date for the RV sites  has not been projected. Check for progress at g hibbingmn.gov/ (218) -262-3486

The province of  Alberta is on a campsite growth spree. By the fall of 2027, popular  Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, Alberta is expected to add dozens more campsites. It now has 250 sites, about half of them with electric, The new sites are expected to help meet the growing demand for hookups. Other parks that will be receive new campsites over the next few years  Lesser Slave Lake,  Writing-on-Stone,  Castle Provincial Park, Fish Lake Provincial Recreation Area and Waterton Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area.

EVENTS

Now through mid-March, take in a free  geology program at noon every Sunday at Gingko Petrified State Park Interpretive Center,  Vantage, Washington.  Buried under the park’s landscape are  remnants of an ancient forest, turned to stone by a convergence of geologic events. What were they?  Check ahead for camping information in winter.  (509) 856-2290. 

CLOSURES

In the interest of public safety, Bear Trap Campground in  Cibola National Forest & Grasslands, New Mexico, will remain closed for 2026. Access roads are in poor condition, bathrooms are unacceptable,  flash flooding can occur and the area hasn’t yet recovered from a fire that occurred in 2022. 

See you at the beach!

The latest in the Yacht Yenta cozy mystery e-books brings widow Farley Halladay closer to the answer of her husband's death. 

Read the six cozies in any order as Farley copes, cooks and solves crimes with the help of her wacky cast of characters. You'll laugh at her frailties; cry with her as she grieves. Find it on Google Play and other ebook formats and also on  Kindle,   https://amzn.to/3wcf6ao

RV Life by the Numbers

 Copyright Janet Groene 2025. This site has had more than 265,000 views. To post your ad on all six Groene sites for one low rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

Can you Get a Campsite Reservation in 2026?

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LAEST NEWS ITEMS OF NEW, EXPANDING, OPENING AND CLOSING RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

RV Insurance Too High?

What Can YOU do?

Here are some factoids and statistics. All are subject to challenge but some are sure to make sense to you and your RV life. 

*  California is the state with the most RV thefts. Organized crime is involved in 20% of RV thefts. Within 48 hours the rigs are stripped for parts.  About 20,000 RV’s are stolen in the U.S. yearly.  The recovery rate for RV’s is 30% yet  80% of RV crime cases go unsolved. 

* A visible alarm system reduces the chance of theft by 30%. One source observes that  RV’s are most likely to be stolen in the summer months, holiday seasons and in rural areas

`* If you use a storage unit with surveillance cameras, chances of theft are reduced by 15%. 

* One insurance company reports that windshield/glass damage accounts for a massive 46% of all insurance claims. Keep wiper blades and the windshield clean of grit. Repair tiny nicks before they spread. 

   * Surveillance cameras at storage lots reduce theft by 15%. A GPS tracking system reduces the chance of theft by 40% while a steering wheel lock offers an additional 25% protection.  An RV in an unfenced area is 50% more likely to be stolen than an RV in a fenced area;  60% of thefts are from storage areas. 

*Road accidents are responsible for 19% of one insurer’s  claims. Of these,  24% were from vehicles that were hit while parked, 14% from collisions from ahead and 14% from being hit in the rear. Accidents when reversing were 12% of claims. Incidents when pulling out accounted for 9% of all road accidents. The major cause of accidents is driver error. 

* According to usfa/FEMA.gov/  reporting from 2018-2020, there were an average of 4,200 RV fires resulting in 15 deaths, 125 injuries, and $60.3M loss. 85% of fires were in towables. 

* Although they are classified by the EPA as natural disasters, only 1-15% percent of wildfires occur on their own. The other 85-90 %,are caused by humans and things like unattended camp and debris fires, discarded cigarettes, and arson. 

*Most thefts occur at home, so it’s smart to increase total security of your home and property if your RV is parked there.

* Cooking is the source of only about 8% of RV fires, says the  U.S. Fire Administration. Although it’s a significant problem, engine and electrical fires are more common. 

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    While many books are  written about full-timing (and you should read them all) ours covers the entire lifestyle change, warts and all. It begins with making the decision in the first place, and ends with easing out when and if that time comes. 

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Seasonal campsites are already heavily booked for 2026. So are nightly reservations for peak vacation dates next summer. Keep ahead of the news before it's news by reading our weekly news briefs from local sources, then follow up on your own as the story develops.  No endorsement of any park is implied by this reporter.

NEWS & FUTURE RV PARKS

AND CAMPGROUNDS

Brownstone Country Club, Marion, Arizona, will open as a large,  luxury resort when the  Brownstone Water Park & RV Resort debuts in Summer, 2026.  Play 18 holes of championship golf.  Dine. Cool off in the spectacular  water park. Float the lazy river. Enjoy the luxury RV life. Get in the loop as this new resort comes alive. Contact BrownstoneStayAndPlay.com or call (870) 739-6305

Look for a grand opening in 12 to 18 months when the Ocean Springs (Mississippi) Islands RV Resort shows off its luxury amenities. The waterfront development will have 470 RV sites plus on-site Airstreams and tree houses for nightly rental. The resort will have a clubhouse, swimming pool, a lazy river and more. The land was formerly the Pine Island Golf Course. The resort doesn’t appear to have a website yet, so try the  Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, (228) 875-4424.

Little River RV Park & Campground, Fort Payne, Alabama, has been open for a year but  recently celebrated a new opening to introduce all that has been added. New are  nine more RV sites, glamping, a stocked fishing pod, a clubhouse with game room, two miles of hiking trails, high speed Wi-Fi, a camp store and a dog park. Upgrades and additions are expected to continue at this location near Little River Canyon National Preserve. Go to campatlittleriver.com or call 256-619-2267.

The 32 acres that were once the Rogersville Raceway in Rogersville,, Tennessee is now a new 19-site campground that is on the way to  42 sites.  The Cedar Lane Campground will also have glamping and tree houses. Campers have access to  Cherokee Public Lake nearby, (423) 923-0417 

RV PARK CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS

In Placer County, California, an old family favorite campground is getting a facelift. Cisco Grove Campground near Donner Summit has 144 campsites and renovations in progress for the general store, welcome center, and swimming pool. New are mini golf, pickleball courts, a crafts paviion and a dock for paddle boats. The campground is open all year but services are limited October through May.

CAMPGROUND CLOSURES

The campground at Long Branch State Park, Long Branch, Missouri will be closed throughout 2026 for renovations. Check later for an opening date in 2027. Call (660) 773-5229.to check on access to the park’s wealth of day use facilities. 

Centennial RV Park in Fort McMurray, Alberta is rumored to be closing in May, 2026.  The land has been sold and will become a car dealership. Check it out at 

 +1 780-742-1307

EVENTS FOR RV TRAVELERS

Make sweet treats for Valentines Day not for your sweetie but for the birds. Be at Chewacla State Park in Auburn, Alabama on February 6, 2026 to make heart-shaped treats for wild birds. The park has modern campsites, a large lake, bike lanes and it’s close to the city services of Auburn and Opellika. https://www.alapark.com/parks/chewacla-state-park Separately reserve your campsite and your place at the event. 

Goose Island State Park, Rockport, Texas, invites visitors to a Whooper Walk on January 28 to learn more about the endangered Whooping Crane. Biologists from the International Crane Foundation and a park ranger lead the 9 a.m. hike. Advance registration is required. The park has a variety of campsites with full or partial hookups. The 321-acre park is on the on the Gulf of America and many campsites are on the water or have water views.   https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/state-park-events/  . 

SURVIVAL FOOD HANDBOOK is a guide to survival when you're Out There and out of fresh provisions.  It's written just for RV travelers and campers who have limited storage space.

 Whether it's fridge failure, or you're broke,  or quarantined or weathered in, stuff happens. See provisioning information, lists, tips and recipes made solely with stowed foods from supermarkets (not those expensive  doomsday rations).  Create a three-day standby pantry for travel, home, your  boat, cabin or camper with familiar, affordable staples.

Kindle or paperback, it's a great gift idea for yourself or a friend.  https://amzn.to/3mIfryC 

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RV WINTER CAMPING + LATEST RV PARK NEWS BRIEFS

Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about placing your ad on all Groene food and travel sites email jantgroene@yahoo.com 

For every RV life

THERE IS A SEASON

And for some RV-ers, winter is best of all

Thanks to the sophisticated new reservations systems we can always find just the right RV site for ambience, location, services, facilities and even the shape, size and placement of hookups at the site itself. 

However, there is more you need to know about a destination at this time of year. More and more campgrounds, resorts and RV parks are choosing to stay open through the winter. 

Here’s an idea of what to look for:

* What amenities remain open? When does the outdoor swimming pool close? What about planned activities?  The fitness center? Nearby restaurants and attractions?  Bathrooms and hot showers available?       

           

* What about bottom line costs? Winter may call for high season camping rates in ski country but low season rates in area where winter is not tourism season. But what about the unexpected costs of winter travel? 

  

* You need to know total costs such as installing skirting and other insulation, purchases such as heated hoses, the cost of  electricity for heating and charges for water and honey wagon delivery if the water and sewer hookups are disabled when temperature call below freezing. Is propane delivery available? 

* Can you get there? In snow country it’s likely that some roads will be closed at least some of the time. Is your rig both winterized and suitable for winter driving? 

* Reservation cancellation costs can be high. If you can have to cancel because of closed roads or a weather related problem at the campground, can you get a refund or just credit for a  new date?

* What about staffing and security in winter? 

* Does the place offer safety and comfort for your pet? Facilities for equestrian campers and their mounts? 

* If you rely on solar, how much sunshine can you expect at this locale?

Ready now? Hook up the toy hauler for your snowmobile, mount your ski racks and let’s GO! 

 

DOES THE OPEN ROAD CALL YOUR NAME?

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

 CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEW

These news briefs are from local sources. They may be premature or incomplete from the travel planner's standpoint. It's up to you to follow up for yourself. 

RV Park & Campground Changes, Upgrades, New Owners

A real estate investment group now owns Lake George Riverview Campground in Lake George,  New York. Book a waterfront campsite on the Schroon River. Sites have water, electric, sewer, fire ring, picnic table and free WiFi. The park has a boat launch, swimming pool, sand beach and a pavilion/activities center. As of press time no changes have been announced by the new owners.  (518) 623-9444 (www.) LakeGeorgeRiverview.com/

In Arizona, new owners are in place at the Willcox/Cochise KOA Holliday.  They plan to add 30 new RV sites for long rigs, more sites with Paw Pens, more patio sites, a new playground, horse stalls and a pickleball court. Call (800) -562-5415. 

EVENTS

I loved camping Australia in a rented camper, so this news item is presented for those planning a trip Down Under,  The Bundurra Race Course in New England, New South Wales, Australia.  is again the  home of the historic Bundurra Cup each October. That’s good news for RV travelers. The campground is now upgraded and renewed. Start planning now for the 2026 event.  

Re-sole your dancing shoes in time for the Colorado Square Dance Festival in Greeley, Colorado, June 12-13, 2026. Dry RV camping will be available on site and at least three full-survice campgrounds nearby are available nearby. The University of Northern Colorado Center Ballrooms have a beautiful wood floor. All dancing and activities will take place on one level of the University Center. To register go to https://mapsdc.coloradosquaredancefestival.com/online-registration/

Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Alabama (south of Birmingham)  will hold its annual Appalachian Festival November 5.  Bring the family to discover authentic mountain music, crafts, environment, history and arts. The park has RV sites with partial or full hookups plus a dump station (fee for non-campers), two bath houses, a playground, dog park and two coin-op laundry facilities.  See alaparks.com/

SCUTTLEBUTT

Seasonal closing dates in various national forest campgrounds around Lake Tahoe vary from October 1 to November 30 and can be changed by weather conditions. Check each  ahead.  Those that stay open through the winter include Camp Richardson Resort’s RV campground and  Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground 

A final development plan has been approved for Elmwood RV Park near Abilene in Taylor County, Texas. The city-size development will have 2.300 lots sized 25 X 55 with cement pads plus  a dog park, playground, volleyball and a clubhouse. All RV’s must have their own bathroom and showers.

CAMPGROUND AND RV PARK CLOSURES

The campground at Long Branch State Park,  Macon, Missouri, is set to close for 2026 while renovations and additions are completed. Check occasionally so see when reservations will open for 2027.  Contact 

https://mostateparks.com/campgrounds/long-branch-state-park or call the park office at (660) -773-5229.

We understand that Davidson River Campground near Brevard, North Carolina in Pisgah National Forest will close this November until May, 2026 while it’s being renovated. The area is known for trout fishing, camping, mountain views, leafy forests and rugged trails. Check for reservations at recreation/gov/

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California, which hoped to reopen its campground  this year,  is now expected to remain closed until April 2026. Campers can look forward to a newly renovated and improved campground. Call  (831) 335-4598 to ask when reservations will be available. https://www.parks.ca.gov/

Cameron County (Texas) officials are moving forward with a major utility upgrade at Isla Blanca Park. Because of the project, the park’s interior campground will close on October 1 for approximately one year while crews update aging hookups and systems.  Day use facilities at the park remain open. 

THE IDEAL GIFT FOR ANY RV AGE, GENDER, OCCASION

COOKING ABOARD YOUR RV

    For yourself or a gift,  Janet Groene's timeless RV cookbook is packed with shortcuts, tips and 270 easy, delicious recipes to cook inside the camper or outside on the campfire, camp stove or grill.  

https://amzn.to/3nNndWY 

I'll send you a full page of camp cooking tips, hacks and shortcuts free, lifted randomly from my ever growing list Email me at janetgroene@yahoo.com Put Cooking Tips in the topic line and give me an email address to send them. 

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RV PET MYTHS + Latest RV Park News Breaks

Copyright Janet Groene 2025, all rights reserved. To ask about placing your ad on all Groene sites for one year, one low rate, email janetgroene (at) yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATEST NEWS BREAKS ABOUT RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS 

Don’t believe it! 

8 MADDENING MYTHS ABOUT

RV TRAVEL WITH PETS

1. Pets don’t get motion sickness. (Wrong)

 

They do, according to WebMD. As with traveling children, motion sickness is more common in puppies and young dogs. The pet may drool, vomit or lick its jowls or it may show its discomfort by whining, yawning or being extra active or extra lethargic. 

Stress adds to the change that a pet will get sick,  so make the travel experience as comfortable as possible. My dog Gypsy loves being in the camper, so she joins me there when I’m working inside even if we are not going anywhere. This makes her feel more at home when we are underway. 

If possible the pet should see out the front or at least out of side windows. This helps orient its balance system to the world around it. A crate is a good idea, both to contain the pet and any vomit. Position it if possible to the pet can see the road ahead. Ask your vet about medications.

2. Pets don’t need restraints (Wrong)

Pets have incredibly fast reaction time but no pet is quick enough nor strong enough to withstand  the G faces in a panic stop or crash. It isn’t just the pet’s safety at stake. Even a small cat or dog could become a deadly cannonball when colliding with  a human.

3. Pets don’t need special food, water or medication for travel (May Be Wrong)

Depending on the destination, your vet may recommend shots or pills for snake bite, “kennel cough”, fleas, ticks  or other regional hazards. Some pet owners carry bottled water, or water from home, to avoid upsets from drinking different water in every campground. And it’s always wise to keep a pet on the same food or to introduce a new one gradually. 

4. It’s OK to Let the Dog Piddle as Long as You Pick Up the Poop (Wrong)

Most RV travelers are meticulous about cleaning up dog poop but many will just stand there when the same dog piddles on someone’s tires or hoses.  It’s hard to keep the dog from marking its territory and impossible to keep a male cat from squirting, but please don’t let another “No Pets Allowed” sign go up in another campground due to your pet’s bad manners.

DOES THE OPEN ROAD CALL YOUR NAME?

 Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you.  https://amzn.to/29XFEkq 

 

5. Campground showers are a great place to wash the dog (Wrong)

 Some people go bonkers if they see pet hairs in shower drains and they make sure the manager knows who is responsible.  Many campgrounds now have dog wash stations. Just don't use the campground bathrooms. 

6. My Dog Doesn’t Bark (Oh yeah?) 

I once parked next to a couple whose large dog began barking as soon as they left the RV and didn’t stop until they returned. Find ways to keep your pet comfortable, safe and entertained while you're away. 

7. It’s a Cool Day, So Rover is OK Inside the RV (Maybe Not) 

Even with windows open on a 70-degree day, a pet can suffer heat exhaustion in as little as 30 minutes According to the Humane Society, signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes,  rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.

Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke, say the Society,  if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

8. My Dog Obeys, so Leash Laws Don’t Apply to Me (Tell it to the Judge) 

Dogs can bolt or disobey out of hunting instinct, fear or need of romance. You could lose a pet, or be evicted from a campground for ignoring leash laws. 

 

The latest in the Yacht Yenta cozy mystery e-books brings widow Farley Halladay closer to the answer of her husband's death. 

Read the six cozies in any order as Farley copes, cooks and solves crimes with the help of her wacky cast of characters. You'll laugh at her frailties; cry with her as she grieves. Find it on Google Play and other ebook formats and also on  Kindle,   https://amzn.to/3wcf6ao

Is your state or province in the news this week? 

        ===============================================================

Free Tips for the Camp Cook

I'll send you a full page of camp cooking tips, hacks, shortcuts and wrinkles lifted randomly from my ever growing list Email me at janetgroene@yahoo.com Put Cooking Tips in the topic line and give me an email address to send them. 

                                                        ============

RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS 

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado is adding nine new RV sites with full hookups. Presently there are 61 campsites. The park is open year round but check ahead for availability of sites and hookups. Programs and the archery range are also open all year. (719) 576-2016. cpw.state.co.us

RV@Olympic Park at  Port Angeles, Washington is now open with 98 RV sites, full hookups, Internet,  playground, camp store, laundry, dog park and clubhouse. Long-term stays are available. Rates start at $1,097. Go to  RvatOlympic.com,  (360) 209-8172

New on the Bayou Teche in St. Martinville, Louisiana is Camping on the Bayou. Rigs up to 35 feet can be accommodated and they say alternate accommodations can be arranged for larger rigs. The pet-friendly camp has direct frontage on the bayou, a barbecue pit, basketball, a treehouse hangout and a private pond.   (985) 306-2959

EVENTS

The dates are October 5-November 2 for the Pumpkin Patch filled with real pumpkins at the Moore Haven (Florida)  KOA Holiday, The month holds plenty of activities to generate proceeds that will benefit the  Croskeykidz Summer Camp for kids in Glades County. Get a full rundown on the pumpkins (daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.),  the  Halloween Bash, haunted trails, campsite decorating and other fun at the KOA website. The campground has a heated swimming pool, two pool tables, a camp store, cornhole, fiber optic Internet and cable, five fish ponds, a playground and fully serviced RV sites. 

Held monthly , every Hike With a Ranger is different at Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida. Camp here on October 16 and take the hike to see what’s new in the ecosystem along the 2.5-mile trail. The theme this time is Tails on Trails, and that means you can bring your leashed pet. Be at the Sand Lake parking lot at 9 a.m. In addition to campsite fees, admission to the park is $6. The hike is free but donations to the park are encouraged. The park has 60 campsites with water and electric. Some sites have a sewer and some are ADA accessible with advance reservation.  Campsites are wooded and have a picnic table and fire ring with grill.  FloridaStateParks.org/

Meet a real bison at the annual Guided Bison Saunter on November 6, 7 and 8 at Prairie State Park, Mindenmines, Missouri. Along prairie trails you may also see  buffalo, elk and deer. The park is picnic and public-friendly but campsites are few and basic, so check out nearby RV parks and campgrounds such as the Four Oaks RV Park in Pittsburg or the Joplin KOA. For information on the bison events call (417) 843-6711

Tickets are now on sale for  2026 concerts scheduled at The Palms RV Resort, Yuma, Arizona. , Headliners include a Moody Blues tribute on January 9, a tribute to country stars Luke Bryan and Keith Urban on January 16 and Mick Adams and the Stones playing January 23. The 60-acre resort has a bar, cabanas and more than 400 home or RV sites. Go to YumPalmsRVResort.com/

Save the date. The  2026 Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Telluride, Colorado will be held as usual in the month of June. Headliners, workshops and other details TBA. The iconic festival attracts 15,000 people or more, so start planning early. See https://bluegrass.com › telluride/

SCUTTLEBUTT (check it out) 

It’s reported that Grant Campground in Yellowstone National Park won’t open until June, 2026. 

Word is that North Beach Campground at  Emma Wood State Beach, Ventura, California, is closed through May,  2026 for repairs and construction projects. The group camp remains open. The Emma Wood Group Camp area near Ventura Beach RV Resort is expected to  remain open.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK.

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