Blog copyright Janet Groene 2025.
Planning a lengthy road trip?
LITTLE MISTAKES, BIG CONSEQUENCES
FORGET-ME-KNOTS
Copyright Janet Groene
It's lucky that I checked the expiration date on my driver’s license before leaving on an extended RV trip. I'd thought I had another year to go. To my surprise I found that I had only a few short weeks weeks to see an eye doctor, get all documentation together, make an appointment with the DMV and renew my license driver’s license before leaving.
When it comes to planning an RV road trip, it’s often the little things that trip us up. We may remember all the camping supplies, the trip plans and reservations, but forget to pick up the dry cleaning or renew the dog's rabies certificate.
Here are just a few of the things most often forgotten when leaving for a long trip far from home. What's your list? Please share.
* EXPIRED DOCUMENTS. Check the expiration dates on your driver’s license, RV plate, unpaid bills, pet papers and vaccination records, vehicle and equipment, warranties, booking confirmation deadlines for campsite reservations and, if you’ll be crossing into Canada or Mexico, your passport.
* CHECK all of your CHECKLISTS including a checklist of things that must be taken care of before leaving home.
* CAMPGROUND RULES, check-in and entry times. They are getting tighter these days and are more rigidly enforced.
* ACCESS ROADS. GPS directions may get you to the RV park or campground but you might also need updated information on access roads and traffic conditions on the way.
* ALL KEYS to the RV and any gear, toys and accessories.. Do you need keys to your storage shed at the camp? Your RV’s basement hatches? Passwords?
What did you forget? Please share your stories.
Breaking news just in from our local sources ...
RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS;
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
Destinations are in boldface; dates are in red.
NEW RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS
More than 25,000 miles of rugged trails are going to be part of the new Appalachian Outlaw Trails project that will open in May, 2026 in Belle, West Virginia. Stay tuned as this 100,000-acre dream takes shape with 24 full hook-up RV sites, dispersed camping areas, a welcome center, guard shack and camp store. Eventually the plan calls for 150 RV sites plus cabins, an amphitheater and outfitters for campers, hikers, RV-ers, ATVs, UTVs, OTVs, and single-track vehicles. See AppalachianOutlawTrails.com/
Coming to Mirrilton, Arkansas in about six months will be the Petit Jean Gateway RV Park with 18 RV hookups, and a community coin laundry. We could not find a website yet for the new park.
UPGRADES, CHANGES, NEW OWNERS
In Venice, Florida the former Camp Venice RV Resort is now an environmentally-sensitive county park. It will still offer riverfront campsites while upgraded hookups are added and access to other nearby nature sites such as Snook Haven Park will be provided. The park is on the Myakka River and is also near Sleeping Turtle Reserve. See SarasotaCountyParks.com/
Whitehorse Campground in Whitefish Horse Camp, Oregon is about to achieve a new polish. The county park’s Upper Loop will get expanded campsites, water and electric to some sites and full hookups for others plus a redesigned traffic pattern to accommodate more and larger RV’s. The transformation will come in phases starting with new restrooms in Phase One next year. Get details at the county website, JosephineCounty.gov/ or call (541) 474-5285 (Also see Closures below.)
RV PARK & CAMPGROUND CLOSURES
A 12-month closure is in the works for Isla Blanca Park in South Padre Island, Texas while a $12 million expansion takes place. The 577 RV sites will get more modern hookups and traffic patterns will be improved for larger vehicles. The beach including pavilions, concessions and a boardwalk will remain open. Get dates and details at CameronCountyTX.gov/
Davidson River Campground, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina is closed from now until May, 2026 for repairs and improvements including a new bathhouse. Other campgrounds within the national forest remain open. See PisgahHospitalityPartners.com/
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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
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EVENTS
Don’t miss the Feathered Friends & Fine Art exhibit at the park lodge at Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio. The free exhibit includes more than 30 pieces including paintings, printmaking, music and photography. It’s open now until January 16, 2026. The park’s campground has full and partial hookups but water hookups and some shower houses are closed in winter. At present the park's nature center is also closed for two months of renovations. See Ohio DNR.gov/
SCUTTLEBUTT
City-owned Bergstrom Park in Woodland Park, Colorado has added two small parcels of land that will make way for more RV sites. Check it out for next season at WoodlandPark.gov/
Rockport Recreation Area in Alpena, Michigan is rumored to be getting a 100-site RV campground. Stay tuned at michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/Rockport for developing news at this former limestone quarry. For now it's a popular day park for swimming and boating in season.
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Questions? Comments? Contact janetgroene (at) yahoo.com
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