SoloWomanRV

Friday, November 6, 2026

RV Pet Hazards & Holidays + RV Park News

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S

JUST-IN NEWS OF NEW AND CHANGING RV PARKS

RV Pets' Holiday Hazards & RV Park News

Celebrity and animal lover Rob Lowe talks about pet nutrition with Dr. Richter

A heap of holiday RV travel fun lies ahead and that means new hazards for our fur babies. My dog Gypsy was excited just to hear the word ”camper” . With excitement in the air and new sounds, scents, lights and environments for traveling pets, new precautions need to be taken.

Thanks to Dr. Gary Richter, DVM, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition, I received these tips on avoiding the special dangers that pets face on RV trips during the noisy, busy, crowded holidays.

Janet Groene: Dr. Richter, what’s different about dangers during holiday travel? Gypsy was always upset by strange travel noises such as firecrackers and flashing light displays.

Temptations are everywhere

Dr. Richter: Holiday travel exposes pets to rich foods (fatty, highly seasoned, etc.) as well as, toxic holiday plants, unfamiliar wildlife, and noises and smells that can trigger anxiety or escape attempts.

Depending on your destination, cold weather, antifreeze, ice-melting salts, or unfamiliar allergens may also pose risks. Bring enough regular food and medication for the trip, keep identification and microchip information current, and locate an emergency veterinarian near each destination before you need one.

Janet Groene: Can you suggest calming techniques for noises and separation anxiety when a pet is left alone in the RV?

Dr. Richter: Start before the trip by practicing very short absences that end while your pet is still comfortable, and use familiar bedding, closed shades, and gentle background noise to create a quiet retreat.

If your pet panics when alone, arrange companionship and speak with your veterinarian beforehand about a treatment plan rather than leaving them to “cry it out.” Any unattended stay also requires reliable temperature control, remote temperature alerts, and someone nearby who can respond immediately if the RV loses power or climate control.

Janet Groene: Incidentally, Doctor, is this a time for new treats and toys, or should owners bring familiar items?

Dr. Richter: Familiar bedding, favorite toys, and your pet’s usual food and treats provide comforting continuity when everything else is changing. Travel is generally a poor time to experiment with rich treats or sudden dietary changes, which can cause digestive upset. A new toy can be fun but introduce it under supervision before leaving your pet alone with it.

Janet Groene: Most of us splurge on restaurants meals during the holiday rush. What do you think about “doggie bag” foods?

Dr. Richter: Restaurant leftovers often contain hidden ingredients such as onions, garlic, or rich sauces, and fatty meals can trigger digestive upset or pancreatitis. Cooked bones, skewers, and food packaging create additional choking or intestinal injury risks, so keep takeout containers and trash securely out of reach. If you want to share, a small amount of plain, fully cooked, boneless, unseasoned lean meat is a better option, provided it fits your pet’s medical and dietary needs.

Janet Groene: We RV travelers look for pet-friendly RV parks and campgrounds. Are there special hazards here?

Dr. Richter: Keep pets away from campfires, smoke, and fire pits even after the flames are out, embers and ashes can cause burns. Also, prevent unsupervised access to pools or hot tubs. Before entering a dog park, check fencing and gates, watch how the dogs interact, and leave if play becomes rough or your dog seems uncomfortable. Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention appropriate for your destination, bring fresh drinking water, and avoid stagnant communal bowls or visibly dirty play areas.

About Dr. Gary Richter, DVM

Dr. Gary Richter is an animal longevity expert and award-winning veterinarian with over 20 years of clinical experience in integrative veterinary. As the founder behind Ultimate Pet Nutrition, Dr. Richter brings an award-winning integrative approach to every formula, ingredient decision and product that carries the Ultimate Pet Nutrition name. His mission? Give your pet the happiest, healthiest life possible, starting with what’s in their bowl.

LIVE THE FULLTIME RV TRAVEL LIFE

We tell the whole story, from making the hard decision to sell everything and go on the road, to a happy ending when we became part-timers again.

We traveled full-time for 10 great years.

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 it's time to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. https://amzn.to/29XFEkq

CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

This late breaking news is from local sources and may be premature or incomplete for travel planning. It's up to you to follow up as the story develops.

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS

SAGLE, IDAHO, the new, 17-site Rest in Peace RV Park is now open with free Wi-Fi, full hookups, laundry, self check-in, private bathrooms with showers, a designated pet area and easy access to Lake Pend Oreille..See RIPRVpark.com/

LABELLE, FLORIDA A year-round, not-yet-named RV park is in the works for a 39-acre piece of land in southern Florida near the Caloosahatchee River. To get details as the story develops, check with Hendry Couty Planning Advisors.

PIKES PEAK, COLORADO will have a new place to camp next year according to the Denver Post. The Rosemont Reservoir is adding a recreation facility with picnic area, boat ramp, bathrooms and campsites. This State Wildlife Area offiers hiking wildlife viewing, huntng and parking areas. Get details at https://cpw.state.co.us › rosemont-reservoir-swa/

GARDEN CITY, ALABAMA Eight RV sites with full hookups will be added to Garden City River Park with a conecting trail to other park features such as a kayak launch.

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS The Falls Ranch RV resort is underway with an eventual 176 RV pads. Look for completion o 176 RV sites by late summer next year.

EVENTS

CASSVILLE, MISSOURI. Learn more about the al-American bird during Bald Eagle Day at Roaring River State Park, Cassville, Missouri. Mark your calendar for January 16,, 3-5 p.m. at the park’s CCC lodge, where there will be eagle crafts,,spotting scopes, binoculars and warm beverages. The event is free and no registration is needed. Dress warmly. Questions about the event? Call the park nature center at (417) 847-3742. The park has year-round campsites with hookups and a camp store. For campsite reservations call (877) 422-6766.

SCUTTLEBUTT

MISSION, TEXAS Now you can park your RV in a fragrant plant nursery that specializes in native Texas plants. Oleander Acres has 300 full hook-up RV sites in a setting of plants, butterflies and fruit trees. The year-round resort has showers, a coin-op laundry, Spanish classes, a craft room, library, pool hall, indoor shuffleboard and holiday events. See oleanderacres.com or call +1 956-585-9093.

Ohio State Parks now offer a year-round 25% discount to military veterans. Camping is said to be included. Check it out.

CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA Luxury patio sites for dog owners are now in service at the Wilmington KOA Holiday. The new sites are big-rig friendly and handy to all of the park’s amenities.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. Many modern upgrades are coming to Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, completing a project that began in 2024. Authorized are additions including pickleball, picnic ground seats, landscaping, restoring the swimming lagoon, upgraded basketball courts, new shade structures in the campground, new fire pits, new stanchions at RV sites and better roads

Friday, October 30, 2026

What's Your RV Plan B?

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S NEWS BREAKS COVERING NEW, CHANGING AND UPCOMING PLACES TO PARK YOUR RV

WHAT'S YOUR RV TRAVEL LIFESAVER?

You've heard about the belt-and-suspenders rules for people who always have a backup, a Plan B, an ace in the hole. I’m that way with RV travel. We all learn new lessons every day.

Let’s share ideas. Here are some of mine.

* Carry a small solar or hand-operated charger for the cell phone. You may be out of range but never out of juice. If you travel with a partner it’s a plus to have mobile phones from different companies. One may be in range when the other is not.

* Bring canned and packaged food for at least one or two complete meals. Store ingredients deep in the pantry and save for emergencies.

Good emergency rations include canned Boston brown bread, canned ham, corned beef, instant pudding, instant potatoes, canned beans, dried eggs, tuna, canned milk. Canned green beans can be served as a vegetable or salad. Canned peaches are a good dessert.

The "doomsday" rations sold for preppers are good to have but many require a heat source and water. I'm talking about ready-to-eat things like Spam and crackers or canned mandarin oranges. They may have a shorter shelf life, so rotate every few months.

What’s your favorite dinner made entirely from the shelf? My shelf recipes are posted each week at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com and https://boatcook.blogspot.com

*Flashlights galore. I carry a tiny Maglite in a pocket day or night.

* CB radio is still handy on the highway, even In areas where there is no phone signal., It can be a lifesaver. Have you looked into new communications devices such as Relay Radio and reliable oldies like ham radio?

* Never be without a pocket snack. Make homemade gorp for the trail, snacks, cocktail hour or eating at the wheel. Mix up a big batch, then package in pocket size portions. See healthful, economical recipes at CreateAGorp.

* An electric hot plate. I love my RV gas stove but the electric hot plate can move outdoors to the campsite’s picnic table. It takes up no more room in the cupboard than an 8-inch casserole. Cook eggs and bacon outdoors on a fine day. Bake an upside-down cake in a heavy skillet. Put the coffee pot on. Make a sauce for meat from the grill.

*A butane buffet burner? It’s a nuisance to carry spare cartridges but you don’t need electric.

* One or two paperbacks. Books are the ultimate boredom buster if the phone or Kindle are down. How about books of hard crosswords or Suduko to pick up when you’re in the waiting room or reading by flashlight in your bunk?

* A small mending kit, duct tape and WD-40. As we fumble-fingered say,, "If one of these three things won’t fix it, it probably can’t be fixed."

AUTUMN YUM FOR YOU, A GIFT LIFE MUST-HAVE FOR YOUR FRIENDS

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 grate. Gifting? Amazon will wrap and ship it for you.

https://amzn.to/3nNndWY

RV PARK AND CAMPGROUND

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Where are all the new RV parks, RV resorts, long term parks, seasonal rentals, free or affordable overnight spots? We gather spot news from local sources about real estate transactions, zoning changes and tourism news that may affectyou as an RV traveler. Grab the news and follow it as the story develops. See the weekly scoop here.

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

LINDEN, TENNESSEE Now open, the new, 448-acre Buffalo River State Park on the free-flowing Buffalo River is the state’s 69th state park. Its $34 million budget provides for the future addition of a visitor center, campground, river access and more. Stay tuned as this story develops. See Tnstateparks.com/

BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA. A new, 54-acre Margaritaville Resort is coming to the Peach State. The uber-luxury Camp Margaritaville Resort Golden Isles has broken ground for a posh resort with 285 premium RV sites and 55 casitas.

POLAND, LOUISIANA. Just south of Alexandria, the new Riviére Rouge RV Park is now open. Surrounded by an oxbow of the Red River, the park offers 18 RV sites, a playground, launch ramp and stocked fishing pond. Camp for nightly or monthly rates. .Details at riviererougela.com/

UPGRADES, ADDITIONS, CHANGES, NEW OWNERS

ROMULUS, NEW YORK. Sampson State Park, a state-owned park with a private company partinership, is adding 68 campsites. The camping season for this year closes soon and will reopen in mid-April, but no information is available on when the new sites, nor reservations for them, will be open. The home of the Sampson Military Museum, the park on Seneca:Lake has Revolutionary War history, boating, fishing, watersports, camping, hiking trails, a playground and a must-see visitor center. (315) 585-6392

BEATTYVILLE, KENTUCKY. The new, nine-hole, par 28 dis golf course is now open at the Firefly Hills RV Resort. (606) 208-0993

SCUTTLEBUTT

BRANSON, MISSOURI Magicland Kampround is now part of the Unhitched RV chain.

ALBERTA, CANADA. The schedule of openiIngs, closings and reservation dates for the many campgrounds in Jasper National Park is a crazy quilt. To see what campgrounds will be open this winter see https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/passez-stay/camping/

ROLAND, ARKANSAS. The Visitor Center at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Arkansas, now has more expanded food and beverage services including whole pizzas or by-the-slice, salads, soft drinks and local craft beer.

EVENTS

FLORENCE, ARIZONA. Next, April 8-11, Country Thunder comes to the Talio Ranch with days of hit singles and bands, good food and beverage and country vibesReserve now for campsites. Each comes with two concert tickets. . Details and tickets at https://www.countrythunder.com/az-tickets

MADISON, WISCONSIN. There’s a passel of county parks to choose from in Dane County to make reservations for 2027. They open November 2 and the best spots will go quickly. Take a look at danecountyparks.com to see details on each park, then call (608) -224-3730 for reservations.

Friday, October 23, 2026

Kid-Safe RV + Latest News on RV Parks

Control the Fire, Control the Kids, Observe Campground Fire Laws

RV Child Safety: A Quick Review

One of my friends is an avid RV-er with a spacious Class A. Her husband doesn’t like to travel so she loads up the grandkids and goes RV adventuring. If you’re lucky enough to have kids on board for travel, or just for a day visit, here are ways to make the rig more kid-safe.

On and off the road, RV safety involves many of the same rules followed at home but there are important differences.

First, the RV is a vehicle. Seat belt and car seat laws apply according to your state. Second, it’s wise to review safety drills and fire escape locations based on the RV's unique design. Third, RV's move. Loads shift. Things can fall from overhead. Unsecured objects become missiles in a panic stop. Secure, secure, secure.

Debra Smiley Holtzman, J.D., M.A. is a nationally recognized child safety expert and the author of the popular child safety book, The Panic-Proof Parent. Published in 2000, it's still available on Amazon. Here are just a few tidbits from the book.

* Check the RV from a child's perspective. Crawl around on your hands and knees. Ask yourself what would look tempting to a toddler, and what’s within reach. Cover unused electrical outlets, even those that aren’t “hot” when you’re not hooked up.

Check floors and carpets for buried dangers like pins or coins.

* Make sure child safety devices are properly installed in the RV and are well maintained. Check them frequently. The use of a child safety device does not mean that the item is completely childproof. Proper supervision is always required, Holtzman says.

* Review safety equipment including a first aid kit stocked for both adults and children, a fire blanket, and fire extinguishers.

* Use child resistant fencing or gates at strategic spots as necessary. Keep constant eye contact and close supervision. Sailors say aye-aye for good reason. Hand over responsibility for the child just as naval officers hand over the watch. The saddest words on earth are, “But I thought she was with you.”

* Ms. Holtzman recommends latches and locks for drawers and cabinets. Like overhead bins on planes, RV cabinets might spill out loose objects when opened. Secure items well.

* Beware of window blind cords and other types of cords, ropes or strings. They can strangle kids

* Keep tools, batteries and machinery locked and out of the reach of children. Lock up poisonous materials, all sharp objects and flammable materials including matches, emergency flares, and lighters

* Use a spill resistant mug and mug holders for hot beverages. You’d never cook underway but even at rest, don’t hold or carry a child while holding hot things. Use the back burners on the stove and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep appliance cords from dangling over the edge of counters where kids could grab them, Holtzman says. .

Crawl around. See what a toddler sees

* Set the RV’s hot water heater no higher than 120 degrees F. to reduce the chance of scalding. Supervision at bath time is important for the child’s safety, and to prevent water waste. If you use campground showers, be doubly careful about water temperatures and supervision.

* Install toilet locks. Unlike an adult, a toddler’s weight is concentrated in the top half of the body. When they lean into a toilet bowl, little ones may lose their balance, fall forward and drown in as little as one inch of water.

See shortcut recipes for the RV, new each week at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com

BE an RV Prepper

Prepare your RV for delays, breakdown, stranding, sudden evacuation, can't find ice, fire ban, run out of propane, supply chain interruptions, civil disturbances. How much food will you need for a week in the woods for two adults and two kids? A month in a remote fish camp? A two-week power outage? See Survival Food Handbook for tips on buying, stowing, and making meals from ordinary supermarket supplies that need no fresh ingredients.

This book was written for campers, RV travelers and boaters who have limited storage space. It's not about having a year's supply of dried food in your RV's basement.

RV PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

These recent news items are from local sources and may be premature or incomplete for travel planning. It's up to you to follow up as the story develops. No endorsement of any place, service nor product is implied.

It's time to look at campsite reservations for hot ticket destinations in 2027. If you always attend a park's First Day Hike, Full Moon Hike or other regular event, reserve a campsite now for these popular dates.

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS

Sweitzer Lake State Park, near Delta, Colorado may soon become an overnight destination, no longer a day use park. It’s already popular with boaters and water skiers. Plans call for doubling the park’s footprint to more than 600 acres and adding a new visitor center,

UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS, CHANGES

By next year, RV travelers will find impressive changes at Susitna Landing State Recreation Site, a river access point in Willow, Alaska. This settlement in the Mat-Su Borough is the starting point for famous dog sled races and is also a major destination for anglers. Upgrades to the park's camping area will include new vault toilets, 61 upgraded campsites and electric hookups at 16 sites, wheelchair access, new docks and some new buildings. Work will continue through next summer.

Howard Praire in Jackson County, Oregon continues to upgrade, thanks to a decade-long $10 million project. More than 200 new concrete picnic tables and steel fire pits are being added to the park, replacing old wooden tables and rusty fire pits. Projects have included new restrooms, improved pavement, a new marina and electrical upgrades at the campgrounds. The county says camping reservations for next year are already available. Reserve at JacksonCountyOR.gov.

SCUTTLEBUTT

In Coos Bay, Oregon, Baypoint Landing is now a member of the Streamside RV Resorts & Campgrounds family.

Near Wilmington in Pender County, North Carolina an empty, 236-site RV park has been approved for construction of a new RV park and campground. No further details are available. County planners believe the location of the park near the Holly Shelter Game land will be a plus for tourists, so things look good for plans to go ahead. For updated news on camping this area check with VisitPender.com/

EVENTS

Tickets are on sale now for the star-studded Concerts Series at The Palms RV Resort in Yuma, Arizona. Here’s just a small sample: Elvis Tribute in January, 2027 and the Beach Boys in February. The luxury RV resort has a world of resort amenities such as heated pools, golf, spa and yoga classes. Go to YumaPalmsResort.com/

In Live Oak, Florida the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park has a full menu of concerts, festivals and special events all year plus camping under live oaks festooned with Spanish moss, kayaking the Suwannee River and a country store. A wee sample: In February, 2027 Suwannee Amp Jam #3 will star Joe Rusoo’s Almost Dead. Go to MusicLivesHere.com/

Friday, October 2, 2026

RV Travel but Live Local + RV sites 2027?

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S JUST-IN LOCAL CAMPGROUND AND RV PARK NEWS INCLUDING DETAILS AND RV PACKAGeS FOR THE GEORGE STRAIT "ONE LAST TIME" BOOTS IN THE PARK CONCERT IN 2027.

Are you an RV traveler or a tourist?

Camp Anywhere; Live Local

Some RV travelers want to feel at home where they park. Others settle in a campsite, put up the Do Not Disturb sign and wish the world away. If you’re in the first category as I am, you want to know what makes each place tick, then leave with a friend or two and lots of good memories.

Here are some ways to connect with your temporary homes.

* Expand the stay by staying longer or by returning a time or two. Give the place a chance. If you like the campground, use it as a base camp for exploring the surrounding region such as the Hocking Hills, the Badlands, the Dalles, the Dells, the Outer Banks, Delmarva or the Texas Hill Country.

* Tourists flock to the town’s famous eatery. Veteran travelers, however, seek out the diner where locals have breakfast. Hear local buzz while having the best food for the best price in town.

Bonus points if you order the local specialty. Try Taylor Ham in New Jersey, Philadelphia Scrapple, Goetta in Ohio, Redeye Gravy in Appalachia, Enchiladas Montadas in New Mexico, a Primanti in Pittsburgh.

* Visit a local church. See my article “People Power, Steeple Power” on the Perceptive Travel website. https://www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0308/groene.html

Buy the local weekly newspaper. Tune in to local radio.

* Don’t miss the Friday Night high school game (or, in some areas, the Friday Night Rodeo or dirt track race.) Scream your head off for the home team.

* Need a laundromat? Go local. Meet other patrons. They’re ordinary folks.

* Check local bulletin boards for news of fund raiser suppers, festivals, memorials, pageants and folk traditions such as an annual Blessing of the Fleet, Dive for the Cross, Blessing of the Animals or Chili Cook-Off. Often these small town events support a worthy cause all year.

* Visit local museums and leave folding money in the donation jar. You will get more than you expect. Many small, local museums are run by dedicated, underpaid, overworked volunteers on shoestring budgets. The collections are always interesting, sometimes world class. The best part is meeting the grateful local staff.

His hometown of Littlefield, Texas, operates the Waylon Jennings RV Park, which offers free overnight campsites. The town also has a museum of the county music star's memorabilia.

Support local fund raisers

* My brother is an avid genealogist, following trails that lead from England to Ohio, New York and Germany. Yet he found a treasure trove of information in a private genealogy library in a tiny rural village in the deep South. If you are interested in family history, check each town's local library or genealogy society.

You may be connected with a place in surprising ways. See next week's post for tips on getting started as a genealogist.

BE an RV Prepper

Stuff happens when you're away from home too. Prepare your RV for delays, breakdown, stranding, sudden evacuation, can't find ice, fire ban, run out of propane, supply chain interruptions, civil disturbances. How much food will you need for a week in the woods for two adults and two kids? A month in a remote fish camp? A two-week power outage? See Survival Food Handbook for tips on buying, stowing, and making meals from ordinary supermarket supplies that need no fresh ingredients.

This book was written for campers, RV travelers and boaters who have limited storage space. It's not about having a year's supply of dried food in your RV's basement.

CAMPGROUNDS AND RV PARKS;

GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

This is timely news from local zoning boards, real estate transfers and events boards. It's premature or incomplete for RV travel planning. Grab the news, verify it and follow it for yourself as the story develops. Locations are in boldface. Dates are in red.

NEW AND FUTURE RV PARKS

In Hewitt, Texas the new South Waco RV Park is now open with Sun Shield or open sites, full hookups, metered electric, gated entry, security, complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry, and a community center. Although it’s expected to be primarily a home for workers paying weekly and monthly rates, the park offers a $55 nightly rate for travelers. Reserve at (254) 314-7001.

A 50--site RV park has been approved for Henry County, Virginia near the Martinsville Speedway. Construction of the park will begin after additional permits are issued. In addition to the Speedway, the area offers travelers attractions such as the Virginia Museum of Natural History, historic sites, restaurant shops, watersports and fishing. See tourismmartinsville.com/

By the end of this month the new Lakers Field Campground, should be open at Logan’s Lake, British Columbia. The 37 dry campsites are handy for travelers who want to be near the Lakers Field ball parks and recreation areas. An additional 10 sites are planned. Phone: (250) .523-6274.

Thanks to a $60 million expansion, up to 70 more campsites will be available in 2027 at Bon Echo and Presqu’ile Provincial Parks in Ontario. Throughout the province's parks, 300 new campsites will be added and 800 existing campsites will be equipped with electric hookups.

CHANGES, RENOVATIONS, NEW OWNERS

A county park in Lorton, Virginia is undergoing a $1.5 million renovation that will bring full hookups to RV sites, electric service and other improvements to other sites and comfort stations. Pohick Bay Regional Park is the home of the annual Bull Run Festival of Lights from November to just after the first of the year. See NovaParks.com/

SCUTTLEBUTT

Volunteer Campground Host applications are now available for summer, 2027 posts in Manitoba. The deadline is October 31, 2026. Cut and paste https://www.manitoba.ca/sd//parks/_resources/en/pdf/campground-host-app.pdf

The popular Kentucky Horse Park campground in Lexington, Kentucky will be getting a major up-do as part of a $5 million renovation of the park. Included will be a new swimming pool and splashpad. Campground work will be completed in phases and should be complete sometime next year,

EVENTS

There’s color in them thar Ohio hills. You don’t have to go to Vermont for a brilliant fall colorama. The Hocking State Forest Fall Color Tour and Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve Annual Fall Foliage Tour will be held October 24-25. Drive or hike various routes where natural resource experts, firefights and forest rangers will be on hand with directions, demonstrations, displays and tours of historic cabins.

For schedules and addresses of both color tours see the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov (https://www.ohiodnr.gov/ For information on local accommodations see explorehickinghills.com. For campground reservations go to ReserveOhio.com/

Blazing desert colors and amazing talents come together outdoors in the Desert Arts Festival on November 27-29 at The River, Rancho Mirage, California. A presentation of more than 100 West Coast Artists, the festival displays ceramics, wall arts, sculpture, photography, jewelry and blown glass. Admission and parking are free.

The Hastings, Florida Fall Harvest Festival fills the historic downtown with food, music, vendor booths, displays, a kids zone and more small town good times. Dates are November 6-7. Farms tours at $100 include bus transportation and lunch. Get details nd tour tickets at (904) 825-1000

SAVE THE DATE

George Strait Schedules Boots in the Park One More Time

George Strait, the King of Country, has announced May 14-16, 2027 as the dates for his major music festival, Boots in the Park. A full lineup will be on stage in Albuquerque, New Mexico.. Many ticket categories are already sold out. For information, tickets and details of RV packages, which are ticketed separately, see https://events.bootsinthepark.com/abq/tickets