RV Clean Hacks + Latest RV Campground News

Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rates to reprint this content email janetgroene@yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S RV CAMPGROUND  GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Listed by state or province

It’s Time to Come Clean

Copyright Janet Groene

If you’re lucky, your RV came with manuals covering everything from cleaning the air filters in the microwave to changing the water filter cartridge under the sink. If not, the manuals are probably found online, on  mattress tags and on hidden labels. 

They matter. For example, my friend’s RV has an costly Italian leather sofa that comes with its own line of cleaning products. It’s a multi-stop process from pre-cleaning to a final protective coat. After five years, my friend says they have been worth every penny. 

Another friend cleaned windows with the wrong window cleaner for that material and fogged them badly. Not all RV windows and coatings are the same. 

Before you tackle that red wine stain on the suede sofa or the  lube job on the worm gear in the awning assembly, take a second look. Get out the original instructions, relax with a cold drink and come up with an attack plan and a shopping list. 

It’s OK if you can’t get to it today. The important thing is to get it right. The wrong product in the wrong place could hurt, not help. 

Worse still, you could void the warranty. 

We often need specific RV products for each type of upholstery, carpeting, the granite counter, dashboard,  wood cabinets,  fiberglass shower enclosure, chrome-plated bath fixtures,  non-porcelain toilet,  composite sink, and so on.  

Know if your wood cabinets are finished in paint, spar varnish or shellac. Is the kitchen counter Corian? Formica? Polished cement? Granite? Marble?   Is the shower door acrylic or glass? 

Are the blind slats vinyl or aluminum? What kind of stain-proofer was originally applied to the carpeting and upholstery? What cleaners are safe for solid brass kitchen faucets?  How do you clean the OEM window film?  

Get out the dirt without damaging the finish

Step One is to get out the dirt without damaging the finish. Step Two is to leave behind as little residue as possible. At best it leaves a dull look. At worst it attracts new soil. Many cleaners leave a residue that is a dust magnet.

Step Three in some cases is to apply a protective coating  to keep the freshly cleaned surface clean longer. The final coat may also contain a UV inhibitor against sun damage or a water proofer, bug repellant or a stain proofer.  

Shop in RV specialty stores for the best product for each job. Here are just a few more random cleaning tips:

* Nylon net, available inexpensively by the yard in fabric shops, is a safe scrubber indoors and out. It’s ideal for getting dried bugs off the RV’s snout. 

. * Have the right brushes and rags on hand. Automotive supply shops have a good selection of brushes in all sizes and shapes to get into tight spaces. All-cotton and 100% linen fabrics ( old diapers, tee shirts, tea towels) make good cleaning rags. Wadded newspaper puts a lint-free shine on glass. Use only plumbing products formulated for marine or RV systems. Delicate RV plumbing, tanks and sensors could be damaged. 

* Buy high-efficiency vacuum cleaner bags and change them often. Change all filters often. They’re in the air conditioner, clothes dryer,  heating system, air purifier and also may be  in the microwave, refrigerator, stove hood, engine room ventilation system and bathroom exhaust vent.  

Often it's best to call a professional

* Sometimes it’s best to call in a professional for, say, floor and upholstery cleaning, detailing automotive materials in the cockpit and re-coating kitchen counters.  

Save time and space with Janet’s shameless cooking shortcuts. See new camping and RV recipes each week at See weekly posts at https://CampAndRVcook.blogspot.com

         

Could YOU Go Full-timing and Make a Living Along the way? We did. 

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 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 the 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 

 

Where to go next? Check road trip ideas at https://janetgroene.blogspot.com/

RV CAMPGROUND  GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Stuff happens, sometimes at the last hour. Before leaving for any campground, check for last-minute closures or changes at the destination or along the way. These news breaks may be premature or incomplete. You do the follow-up. 

Locations by state or province are in big print. Event dates are in red. 

CAMPGROUND/ RV PARK UPGRADES, CHANGES

The Princeton (British Columbia) RV Campground is open for the season with a new look including free WiFi, new and  accessible  washrooms, full hookups and  waterside campsites on the Simikaneen River.  While you’re here don’t miss the 21 bronze sculptures in Princeton, the museum, restaurants and shopping. Outdoors find 160 kilometers of mountain biking trails and plenty of hiking, golfing and kayaking. (250) 295-344. 

 

NEW CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS, RV RESORTS

The massive, $5 million development project at the Yakima (Washington)  State Fairgrounds in  Washington will include a new campground with full hookups and ADA showers and restrooms. Reservations are open at (www.) . fair.bookmysites.com

FUTURE RV PARKS

A federal Superfund Site on the  Keweenaw Waterway in Michigan is being cleaned up and redeveloped as a  25-acre, eco-friendly campground with 89 RV and tent sites, fishing dock, beach and nature boardwallk. Follow up at www.michigan.gov/egle/

Near White Oak, Texas, the old “Buster’s” Longview Country Club has been sold to a New York buyer to become a development for 150 homes and 150 RV sites. To follow this developing story contact the Gregg County Council. 

CAMPGROUND CLOSURES

The campground at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton, California will remain closed through 2025.  The new reopening date is April,  2026. If you have reservations for 2025 your money will be refunded. When it reopens the 107- site campground will be ungraded throughout and will have more ADA facilities.  (831) 335-4598   (Www.)  ReserveCalifornia.com/

RV-friendly EVENTS

August is Perseid meteor shower season at The Cove Palisades State Park, near Bend, Oregon. Make campground reservations now to be here for the program at 9 p.m. on August 10 to review early showers and learn about the meteor showers displays that will become more numberous as the season progresses. Crooked River Campground in the park has a dump station and 91 sites with water and electric. Deschutes River Campground has a dog park and 87 sites with full hookups.

 (Www.)  oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com/ Call for reservations: 800-452-5687 or for park information, (541) 546-3412.    

The three-day Blossoms & Bones Music Festival is scheduled for September 11-13 at the Ghost Ranch, Abiuiu, New Mexico. Dry camping reservations for the festival grounds are on sale now.  The music line-up features Lucy Ducas, Santigold,, Durand Jones and the Indications and many more performers as well as DJ’s, dancing, food and family fun. (Ages 14 and under get in free.) Come rain or shine to enjoy all ranch amenities including a swimming pool and hiking trails. Details at https://ghostranchmusicfest.com/camping-lodging/

Georgia’s 46th Harvest Pioneer Festival comes to General Coffee State Park, Nicholls, Georgia on November 8. See how life was once lived in the Wiregrass Country. Hands-on fun plus food, games, live music, vendors. See blacksmithing, living history actors,  cane grinding, syrup making, quilting and more in a “living history” farm setting. .(912) 384-7082. Admission is $2; parking $5.  The park has 50 campsites with electric. .Reserve early at (www.)ReserveAmerica.com/

 

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LAST WEEK'S BREAKING NEWS

 

Meet an RV Woman+ Latest New Campground News

 Copyright Janet Groene 2025. Thisblog has had more than 255,000 views. To ask about placing your ad on all Groene sites for one low price, email janetgroene (at) yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO LATE BREAKING 

CAMPGROUND GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

BY STATE OR PROVINCE

Lauren Gamble is a seasoned digitaL nomad and RV woman

The Gamble family of three people and one dog has been on the RV road for a little over a year now. They’re learning the ropes as full-timers. At the same time, experienced creators Lauren and Donny Gamble use the Internet to share their adventures and advice. See them on platforms including  Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Start with their website, https://TimeToRV.com/

Say hello to RV woman Lauren Gamble 

“Time to RV originally started as a way to document our family’s full-time RV life, kind of a digital journal,” reports Lauren. “But it’s evolved into something bigger. Now we’re growing the brand into more of a travel media outlet that also features stories from other RVers and travelers. We’re especially excited about an upcoming initiative focused on spotlighting unique rigs, travel stories, and perspectives from across the RV community.

“For the first six months, we traveled week to week to have fun and get a feel for the lifestyle. Then we spent nearly three months back at our home base in Orange Beach, Alabama for (son, age 8) Chase’s baseball season. Now we’re back to summer travels and loving the freedom again.

“We tend to gravitate toward RV resorts that strike a balance between nature and city life—places where we can spend the day exploring local attractions, trying new restaurants, or just relaxing somewhere with a great view. The Florida Keys and southern Utah have been two of our favorite places so far.

“ As for homeschooling, we’re still new to it (about eight months in), and we use a mix of online curriculum and a custom, hands-on approach. We’re still finding our rhythm, but the biggest reward has been watching Chase enjoy his days without the stress and pressure that can come from traditional schooling. It’s a slower, more intentional way of learning, and it fits our lifestyle well.

“Both Donny and I come from online business backgrounds. I’ve spent the past decade doing affiliate marketing, building content brands, and teaching others how to grow audiences organically, especially through YouTube. Donny has specialized in SEO and website-based affiliate marketing for over 12 years. Together, we’ve built and sold businesses, launched digital products, and advised other entrepreneurs. So transitioning into content creation on the road felt like a natural next chapter.

“Right now, our vision for Time to RV is to continue building it into a go-to travel and RV lifestyle publication—a space that blends storytelling, campground reviews, RV tips, and humor. We want it to be helpful, entertaining, and a little unexpected.” 

          

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 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 the 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 

 

Where to go next? Check road trip ideas at https://janetgroene.blogspot.com/

             CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Locations are in Boldface; Dates are in red, 

NEW RV PARKS, RV RESORTS, CAMPGROUNDS

New in Sister Bay, Michigan is the family owned Camp Door County. Rates are from $75 nightly. The 77 sites have full hookups and WiFi . There’s a camp store. Evening beer and wine are available at The Pines.  Go to https://sisterbay.com/stay/camp-door-county/  (920) 854-2812

The official Grand Opening will be July 1 for the Yadkin Valley RV Resort in the heart of Yadkin Valley wine country at Yadkinville, North Carolina.  Check ASAP for introductory rates, which will soon rise. The resort has pull-through and back-in RV sites, a pet park, playground, bounce pad, modern shower and laundry  and  communal gathering place. A new swimming pool will be ready by Spring, 2026. A county park and a YMCA are next door. Go to https://YVRV.com/

NEW FEATURES, NEW OWNERS, UPGRADES

Now open again after a year of upgrades and construction, Lakeview Campground in Sibley State Park Minnesota has upgraded hookups, larger campsites, improved roads and trails and modernized historic buildings. (866) 857-2757.

Hidden Haven in , Erin, Tennessee, has added a new 18-hole mini-golf course designed for all ages, all skill levels. The wooded campground has a camp store, laundry, free WiFi, dog park, community garden,  full hookups and nightly, weekly or monthly rates.  (931) 229-0899.

Shady Oaks Camping Resort, Plattsburgh, New York celebrated its Grand Reopening in May. The 44-acre resort in the Adirondacks has added a new camp store with local foods, The Great Room communal space, full bookups, and a heavy schedule of special events such as movies, parties, theme weekends and live music.  Go to shadyoakscamping.com or call (518) 562-0561.

Now a member of the Open Road Resorts family is the 131-site Bayou Barataria RV Park, Harvey, Louisiana. It’s the seventh RV park to be added to the company’s portfolio of outdoor hospitality locations. New sites are expected to be added, bringing the total to 150. Also to come are a new swimming pool and playground. (504) 656-4122

The 28-acre Vagabond Resort and Campground in Ensign Township, Michigan  has been a family-friendly, family-operated destination for generations. Now new owners have made important improvements with families in mind. The resort has lake frontage, wooded campsites, cabins, a playground and nightly communal campfires. Telephone (906) 474-6122

Soon to be the largest lift-served mountain bike park in the world, The Trails at Mena is under construction at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena, Arkansas. Phase One will be a 1,20-foot drop in elevation in a range of trails from beginners to expert jump lines. Raw, technical and steer terrain will challenge advanced riders. The facility will be open all year and is expected to draw an international who's who of mountain bike enthusiasts. The park has a stately 40-room lodge with restaurant. The 41-site campground offers Class A,B and C hookups. (479) -394-2863

EVENTS

Take the Scenic Lake Tour on July 6,  July 28 and August 9 at Lake Ouachita State Park,  Mountain Pine, Arkansas. The cost is $14 adults and $8 children ages 6-12. A park interpreter will be on board to talk about the lake's many islands, stunning scenery, wildlife, history and geology. Make boat reservations at  (501) 767-9366.  The park has 93 campsites, half of them with full hookups. Make camping reservations at https://reserve.arkansasstateparks.com/

The  free, 17th annual Laurel Hill State Park Bluegrass Festival is scheduled for August 16-17 in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Enjoy nonstop music from seven bands plus artisans, food vendors, period reenactors, children’s activities, a 5K race and wagon rides.  The 4,000-acre  park has 22 campsites, about half of them with water and electric hookups. There's a dump station, campground hosts, hot showers and restrooms  (814) 445-7725.

What's New on the RV Road + RV Campsites NOW

Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rights to reprint this content, or to place your ad on all six Groene sites for one low rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com 

What’s REALLY New for RV-ers

* One of the hottest trends is  “destination” trailers. They’re more portable than park models, perhaps less portable than travel trailers.  Roomy , homey and affordable, they are designed for longer stays yet they remain roadworthy.

Here’s a way to have a fishing camp, ski lodge and summer cabin all in one. Consider the cost of hiring a professional transporter to position the trailer each time you move on. 

* It’s usual now to find as many as six or more price categories in campsites. If you shop for the best price, take a closer look at what you are actually getting for the extra money such as a fenced patio, pull-thru, paved pad,  a waterfront site, mountain view, more hook-ups or a site closer to the swimming pool. Words like  Premium,  First Class or Five Star mean different things to different folks. 

* Take a new look at RV parks’ opening and closing dates for 2026.  Many more are staying open all winter while some seasonal campgrounds are extending their seasons by a month or so.  (Note that all facilities may not be available in the “off” season.) 

* Water features, from splash pads to resort-style pools with cabanas and swim-up bar are everywhere.  

* New costs. Tourism taxes, once charged only at hotels,  are now often  added to local and state sales taxes on campground bills.   Also borrowed from the hotel textbook is “yield management” pricing. Thanks to smart, fast  computers, nightly rates change from minute to minute depending on availability and demand. Stay nimble. 

* New reservations windows. Some reservations are available one year ahead, some six months. If you’re hoping to score a hot spot, know to the minute when reservations open. Then pounce. 

What is the best campground?  These days, “influencers” are everywhere online and in print. Often that means a glowing “news”  story about how Camp Wormwood was just voted “the best” RV resort in Mulekick County. Sez who? 

Who said so and what are their qualifications for deciding what’s best?  Ask questions. Read the park’s own website and claims, not just Facebook or Yelp.  

. 

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 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? There’s a 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; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

This just-in  RV park and campground news from our local sources may be incomplete or premature. Follow up for yourself as the story develops. Locations are in large print. Dates are in red. No endorsement of any service or place is implied. 

NEW AND FUTURE CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS

New in the northeast notch of the Sunshine State west of Jacksonville is the luxury-laden  Island Oaks RV Resort in Glen St. Mary, Florida. The 365-site resort lists full hookups, pickleball, large concrete pads, free WiFi, an arcade, a variety recreation sports courts outdoors, a swimming lake  and a full restaurant with bar. Sign up for the newsletter to keep up with schedules of weekend events. (904) 420-7822.

Thirty-two Ohio state parks now have life jackets on loan in sizes from infant to adult. The loaner stations are at the following parks. 

Northeast Ohio:

 Findley,* Geneva (multiple stations),  Headlands Beach,  Portage Lakes

 Punderson and  Mosquito Lake

Southeast Ohio:

 Barkcamp,  Blue Rock,  Burr Oak (multiple stations),  Dillon,  Forked Run, 

Jesse Owens, Lake Logan (multiple stations),  Lake White,  Muskingum River Parkway,  Strouds Run and  Wolf Run

Central & Southwest Ohio:

 Buckeye Lake (multiple stations), Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake (multiple stations,  Deer Creek, Hueston Woods,  Indian Lake,  Kiser Lake and  Rocky Fork

Northwest Ohio & Islands:

 Catawba Island,  Grand Lake St. Marys (multiple stations),  Harrison Lake.  Kelleys Island,  Lake Milton,  Mary Jane Thurston and  South Bass Island

Six more Love’s Travel Stops, known for their one-stop fueling, feeding, laundry and showers for road warriors,  have added overnight sites for RV’s.  They are Haubstadt, Indiana; Fargo, North Dakota; Oakdale, Wisconsin; Blacksburg, South Carolina; Mt. Vernon, Texas; Richmond, Kentucky and Binghamton, New York. 

New in Pinicon Park, Linn County, Iowa is the Firefly Campground, boasting the county’s only online campground reservations. The park, which also has cabins for rent,  has  32 RV sites with full hookups (two-night minimum). There’s a new shower house and playground too. Go to LinnCountyIowa.gov/Conservation. 

CHANGES, UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS, EXPANSIONS

Come meet the couple who are new owners of Creek Valley Campground, Dubuque, Iowa. They’re doing renovations that include a heated swimming pool, new picnic tables and fire pits at each site, a laundry and upgraded showers/restrooms.  The campground has ball courts and will soon have horseshoe pits. Walking trails can also accommodate golf carts and UTV’s. (563) 580-9453,, CreekValleyCamground.com.

Soon to be the largest lift-served mountain bike park in the world, The Trails at Mena is under construction at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena, Arkansas. Phase One will be a 1,200-foot drop in elevation in a range of trails from beginners to expert jump lines. Raw, technical and steer terrain will challenge advanced riders.

The facility will be open all year and is expected to draw a who’s who of international mountain bike enthusiasts. The park has a stately 40-room lodge with restaurant and a 41-site campground with Class A ,B and C hookups. (479) -394-2863

CAMPGROUND CLOSURES

The RV park within Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, Texas is due to  close indefinitely in October. Its massive upgrading project promises a lot of new, RV-friendly conveniences.  Reservations  aren’t  accepted through the summer of 2026. The rest of the park remains open.

Officials in Ocean Shores, Washington announced that the  Quinault RV Park and Marina is closed indefinitely. With serious erosion problems, the site needs extensive structural changes and for now funds are not available. 

William Watson Lodge Campground, Kananaskis, Alberta,  is closed now through June 22. 

EVENTS, RV's WELCOME

    Stay in your RV during the International Plowing Match, Niagara Region,  to be held in Grassie,  Ontario, September 16-20. The 500 RV sites at the 50-acre  1PM RV Park have water and 30-amp hookups. Nightly entertainment is planned.  To get the $600 special rate package, reservations should be made by July 1. Shuttles will run from the campground to event sites. For information about the IPM CAMPGROUND  call +1 519-767-2928. 

  Camp, jam, eat and shop the vendors at FarmJam 2025 in Colville, Washington. Dates are August 29-31.  This year’s music  lineup includes 49 Winchester, Bayker Blankenship, Sheyna Gee, Scooter Brown, Mark Chesnutt and many more.  To get a ticket package that includes camping,  go to https://farmjam.frontgatetickets.com/

 August 9 is the date for this year’s Forest Festival at Hartwick State Park, Grayling, Michigan.  Learn more about Michigan forests. Visitors get a goody bag. The park  has a modern campground, boating and 21 miles of trails including the paved Old Growth Forest Trail. There’s also  mountain biking, fishing, birding and winter fun such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, hunting and birding. For festival event information call (989) 348-2537. The state park’s number is (989) 348-7068. Reservations https://midnrreservations.com/

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SAMPLES OF PAST POSTS, THEN RETURN NEXT WEEK FOR MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS BREAKS

CONCERT With RV'S WELCOME + NEW CAMPGROUNDS

Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rates to reprint this content, or to place your ad on all six Groene sites for one low rate, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE BREAKING

CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/ BAD NEWS

PLAN A PERFECT CAMPING CONCERT

BY Janet Groene 

copyright Janet Groene 2025

So you're  ticketed for an RV site at a concert  at an open field? . You’ll be staying in your RV but this isn’t a campground. What can you expect?

First of all, you’re here for the concert, the vibes, the round-the-clock hustle. The RV allows you to stay in the middle of the action.  Not that you'll get much sleep. You'll probably have just a patch of grass, close neighbors, no hook-ups and no way to drive in or out until the concert is over.  Generators may be allowed, but quiet hours apply. 

Before any other plans can be made, nail down concert tickets for everyone in your camper.  Your camping package may have included two concert tickets; others in your party must have their own. You also need separate camping reservations and perhaps other reservations such as golf cart rental or meal tickets. 

Start by reading the rules, which are on the website.. They are lengthy,  strict and sometimes a pain in the neck.  Usually the do’s, don’ts and  Q&A go on for  pages.  With luck the website will show a detailed map of the entire venue, showing locations of stages, RV and tent areas,  portable johns, first aid station, ice machines, food truck and vendor areas and VIP areas. Know if you’ll have a designated space or if parking is first-come, first served. It’s likely that camping areas open a day early and stay open a day after the concert. 

Note any unexpected  extra fees such as showers, on-site water or honey wagon delivery, a pet kennel, VIP parties or seating or any special sessions/seminars/workshops.  The event may be totally cashless or cash only. Coin-op services may also be on site. Be prepared with the right payment system(s). 

Once you mail down the right tickets and reservations, make sure you can  fit in. Campsites  may have a size limit and may or may not include space for a car or extra tent. Know what is included in your package.  

    Make travel to and from the concert part of the fun. Acquaint yourself with local culture, scenic treasures, the area's unique music culture, diners, clubs, hangouts. See what else is going on in the area at the same time.  Consider the drive itself,  traffic conditions, weather and the duration of your stay. If you will stay in the area before or after the event, book campground reservations.

Watch the concert’s website for updates such as changes in times or the lineup of artists. An online newsletter is probably available free. 

Once settled in your campsite, do some exploring. Know the route from your campsite to the stages and whether you will be toting chairs or coolers. Some vast venues provide  shuttle buses between camping and performance areas. 

    Soak up the scene, scents and sense of the event and the crowd.  Lots of things will be going on at once. Know what happens when and where. Make the best use of your time.  

Most of all, make this a meaningful trip. Celebrate the harmony of a great concert plus RV travel. 

SPECIAL REPORT: New In-Line Water Filter 

I have always recommended the use of water filters in RV’s and boats. We fill our tanks with different water on every trip. Although the water is  “safe”  according to federal standards, it can have “off” tastes, odors and even colors. They ruin your coffee, rice,  ice cubes, laundry and the way your hair feels after a shampoo. 

Now a new, in-line filter makes it easier than ever to install a slender, effective filter. Best of all at replacement time, the entire assembly is changed with only a few twists of the wrench. Almost anyone can do it. If you’ve every wrangled with installing or replacing bulky filter cartridges, you get the picture.

When I was asked to field-test the new Campbell In-Line Water Filter, I took one look and knew it was a winner. The installation in a cramped, under-sink cabinet was quick and  trouble-free. The unit is even compact enough to use on  pedestal sinks. 

 

As for technical specifications, this model’s MicroGuard technology reduces bacteria and viruses 99.99%, cysts 99.95%, and “forever” chemicals such as PFAS by 95% according to the manufacturer’s internal testing. Heavy metals such as lead, copper and iron are found to be reduced more than 85% by a third party independent laboratory. Best of all, it’s made in the USA. I found the complete assembly in a handy blister pack at Walmart for $110. Prices may vary where you are. 

 

Save travel money by doing your own cooking. See shortcut recipes at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com 

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 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 the 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 GOOD NEWS/ BAD NEWS

This late breaking news is from local news and real estate sources. It is presented to give you an early heads-up so you can follow the story as it develops.

NEW CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS

New in Midland, Texas is Bobbie’s RV Park with 70 RV sites and full hook-ups. WiFi is free and long-term rates are available. Learn more at (https://) Bobbiesrvpark.com/

The new, pet-friendly Indigo Hills & RV Resort in Magnolia, Texas  has opened with extra large RV sites, concrete pads and paved roads. Phone: (713) 887-8123

New Braunfels, Texas now has a new, 100-site RV resort downtown. The new Camp Landa has a heated swimming pool, camp store, WiFi, pickleball, basketball, cornhole, playground  and a swim-up bar serving signature cocktails. Don’t miss the Bavarian pretzels and Bavarian sausages  that recall the area’s German heritage.

CAMPGROUND UPGRADES, CHANGES, NEW OWNERS

The 20-acre Lakeland RV Campground in Milton, Wisconsin has added 18 RV sites, all of them pull-thru. The upscale resort  has frontage on Lake Koshkonong. (608) 868-4700

Shady Oaks Camping Resort in the Adirondacks at Plattsburgh, New York will celebrate a Grand Reopening under new owners on May 30. (518) 562-0561

Now part of the Open Roads Resort family is AB Camping & RV Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The 44-acre  park has 125 RV sites with full hookups and will probably add more. On site is the AB BBQ. (307) 634-7035

New owners are in place at the 35-acre Alana Springs Campground , in Richland Center, Wisconsin. So far they’ve added a new office and remodeled the bathrooms. The park, popular with turkey hunters, has a natural spring and pond. 

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the campgrounds at Oak Mountain State Park, Shelby,  Alabama are open again after major renovations. New are a state-of-the-art camp store, air conditioned family bathhouses,  include a new state-of-the-art campground store, modern interactive playground, a new dog park and new,  ADA accessible tent and RV sites with water and electric.

Now open seven days a week are two Department of Conservation & Recreation campgrounds in western Massachusetts. Tolland State Forest, East Otis,  opens May 8 and Granville State Forest on June 20. Reservations are required. See mass.gov/

Red Barn Campground in Shell Lake, Wisconsin just opened 100 new campsites, some of them pull-thru. Also new are ATV rentals, a water park, more trails, a gaga pit,  petting zoo and an activity center with big screen TV. (608) 647-2600

EVENTS

In the stunning setting of Ash Cave, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra will give a 1 1/2-hour concert on June 15 in Hocking Hills State Park, Bloomingville,  Ohio. Tickets are available from eventbrite.com/ Book camping reservations separately at (740) 385-6842

CLOSURES

Hocking Hills State Park, Bloomingville, Ohio will close a number of campsites this fall for upgrades. Closures begin September 1 and October 1. Check ahead

SCUTTLEBUTT

North Carolina state parks raised rates on May 1. This includes every park  feature from campground sites and fees to launch  ramp fees and  ATV access permits. See a full list of  rate changes at ncparks.gov/fees 

    SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SAMPLES OF PAST POSTS

Questions? Comments? News to share? Email janetgroene@yahoo.com

RV Pets & Toxic Plants + Any New RV Parks?

 Copyright Janet Groene 2025. To ask about rates to reprint this content, or to place an ad on all six Groene sites for one low price, email janetgroene@yahoo.com

 

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S 

CAMPGROUND/RV PARK GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

Keep pets safe from poison plants everywhere you travel

 

 

 

RV PETS AND POISON PLANTS 

 

    It's tough enough to know all the hazards your pets face in your home environment. What about  the strange new plants and poisons found in the places you plan to roam? Desert plants. High altitude plants.  Beach and shore plants.  Tropical woods, leaves, nuts and berries.  And now  marijuana is everywhere. 

Whether you’re at home or away when your pet tangles with a toxic plant, the National Capital Poison Control Center is there for you. Dial (800) 222-1222  and your call will be routed to the nearest poison center. 

I learned firsthand about the group when I thought Gypsy snapped up and swallowed a tiny hearing aid after a guest dropped it.  We knew it contained a battery, and batteries can be toxic. Not only were we given expert advice by Poison Control, they called back the next day to see how our dog was faring. 

Gypsy is fine and we’ll never know what happened to the hearing aid,  but we do know that this non-government, donation-supported group deserves our thanks. To learn more go to poison.org. 

Poison Prevention 

Tips for RV-ers with Pets

* When you visit new regions, do a quick search for local poisonous plants that are new to you and your pet. See your bookseller or online for a book that shows color pictures of dangerous plants and describes their habitat, toxins, treatments. 

* Be aware of seasons. Some plants are a threat  at some times of year such as the sandspur season in Florida. Some are toxic all year but they look different in different seasons. 

* Plants can present many types of hazards, not just if  swallowed.  Rain falling from a malaleuca tree is highly irritating and has been said to cause temporary  blindness.  Burrs can cause impossible tangles in long fur. Thorns and briars tear tender flesh. 

* Plants that are toxic if ingested by pets include oleander, tulips, daffodils, azalea, sago palm, many members of the lily family,  aloe, ivy,  cyclamen, foxglove, dieffenbachia, philodendron, yew, castor bean, mistletoe, cyclamen and marijuana. 

FREEDOM OF THE OPEN ROAD?

 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? There’s a 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 

 

Marijuana can cause depression

* Welcome to a new era of legal marijuana. It's found everywhere,  indoors and out,  from your houseplants to the pantry,  medicine cabinet and patio party. In pets it can cause can cause vomiting, drooling, fast heart rate, seizures, low body temperature, and depression.

* Symptoms of intestinal distress include vomiting, excess salivation/drooling and diarrhea. 

* ASPCA has wise advice on toxic plants. It's found at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/com

* Try to identify the plant that caused your pet’s distress. The vet will be better armed to find a treatment or antidote. If possible take a picture of the plant with your phone and send it to the vet. 

* Your pet could be harmed by a non-poisonous plant if it’s been sprayed with a  herbicide. 

* Before throwing that stick for Rover to fetch, know what kind of wood it is. Woods said to be toxic for pets include cherry, oak, orange, yew, peach, plum, chokecherry, apricot, elderberry and apple. Tropical hardwoods such as. rosewood, padauk, and teak can cause problems.  Sassafras  can cause breathing problems, nausea or even, according to one source, cancer. 

Bottom line: Keep pets under control. Observe what your dog or cat eats or licks. If you know that a toxic substance was ingested, get expert guidance at once. Be prepared to describe any symptoms and surroundings that might give your veterinarian a clue to the cause of the distress. Send a picture. 

 

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 

           CAMPGROUNDS & RV PARKS;

             GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS

This breaking news from our local sources is presented state by state only to give you a heads-up. It's up to you to follow up as the story develops. No endorsement of any park, product or service is implied.

FUTURE PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the development  of a new, 20-site RV park in Blanchard, Idaho. The long approval process finally got the green light. Stay tuned.

CAMPGROUND AND PARK CHANGES, UPDATES

Both the small campground and the Air B&B at the new Greene Hills Camp in Barree, Pennsylvania will now be open all year. Once privately owned,  the camp was sold to a private firm that will offer  RV sites, on-site RV rentals and a wedding venue with swimming pool. Openings will come throughout this spring and summer. Gala events on holiday weekends will feature food trucks, live music, a petting zoo and activities for all ages. Get updates at   (814) 669-4000 or  www.greenehillscampground.com

    Sun Outdoors Chesapeake Bay in Temperanceville, Virginia is now a  KOA Holiday resort.  That means guests can now join the KOA Rewards program. The new name in Tall Pines/Chesapeake Bay KOA. The park has a resort style swimming pool, private beach, full hook-ups, planned activities and more. (757) 824-0777

NEW CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS

    The scenic Hocking Hills of Ohio have a new campground. The Lake Logan KOA Journey, Logan, Ohio  has firewood delivery, pickleball, pizza and wings, basketball courts,  50-amp pull-thru RV sites, a Kamp K9 dog park, a playground and a camp store. Enjoy all that Lake Logan has to offers as well as hiking trails. This KOA is open April through October. Call (740) -385-7120. 

New in Fort Worth, Texas is Gallagher Acres RV Park, an adult park for nightly or long-term stays. The park has a laundry, showers, an exercise room, library and clubhouse, a group kitchen, horseshoes, swimming pool, dog park, cable RV, and more. Go to (www.) GallagherAcresFW.com/

    Lake Powell Gateway RV Resort in Big Water, Utah opened in March with 32 RV campsites and a store selling supplies including fresh eggs from the owner’s own flock. Future hopes are for a mini-golf course, a larger playground,  guest laundry and tent sites. See  (www.) LPGRV.com

Add another Lowe’s Travel Stop to your itinerary.  Now open off I-70 in St. Clairsville, Ohio,  the new oasis has four RV sites with hook-ups,  a dump station, dog park, SpeedCo truck maintenance and 121 truck parking spaces plus a laundry,  showers, EV charging stations,  Wi-Fi and three places to eat.

REOPENGS, IMPROVEMENTS, EXPANSIONS

 Near Glendive, Montana, Makoshika State Park will have 16 new RV sites with full hook-ups. Also added will be some primitive sites, a site for camp hosts, a dinosaur-themed playground and more day use facilities. The park currently has nine RV sites. Access roads can be steep and twisty, so check ahead for conditions as they apply to the size of your rig.

The historic CCC and Hannah campgrounds at Roosevelt State Park, Morton, Mississippi are now open after extensive improvements to campsites and restrooms.  Most of the 109 campsites have full hookups and shade. (601) 732-6316 

 Two Rivers Park in Priest River, Idaho will have new features for RV travelers this summer. Trees are bring removed to make room for a swimming beach, dog park and playing fields .In time the park will have an RV park and marina.  This is a developing story and we have no opening date for the RV park, so stay tuned .  

    SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SAMPLES OF PAST POSTS

See Janet's latest road trip and travel ideas here and there, near and far at https://janetgroene.blogspot.com 

---