Friday, February 27, 2026

RV Pay to Play + WHERE ARE ALL THE RV SITES?

Copyright janet groene 2026. To ask about rates to reprint this content email janetgroene@yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE BREAKING NEWS OF NEW, FUTURE, CHANGING AND CLOSING PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS


Do you cut your own hair? Do your own mani-pedi's? File your own taxes? Sometimes to pays to pay a professional. 

When It Pays to Pay a Pro

The name of our game, fellow RV-ers  is INDEPENDENCE. A life of RV travel is the ultimate freedom. However,  most of us have to depend on others for some things,  some of the time. 

The wise woman knows when to hold and when to fold. Here are some of my favorite professional services worth the price. 


Cleaning. Auto detailers and carpet cleaners have products and equipment that are more effective than you can do on your own. Call in a pro once a year or so. 





Financial Planner, Tax Accountant. A certified, fee-only planner makes recommendations based on your best interest, not commissions. There are very good  DIY tax programs but  a professional may be a better choice if you are self-employed or have complicated tax situations that change each year. 






Mail Forwarding. It’s easier and cheaper to have a friend or relative handle your mail  but individuals get sick, go on vacation or get too busy to run to the post office with that Special Delivery letter you need NOW. If all your mail goes to a relative in New York or other high-tax state, their address is your address, and you could be subject to their state taxes too. I recommend getting a full-service mail forwarding service that is on the job 24/7 in a state that does not have a state income tax.

Personal Trainer. There isn't room in  most RV's to exercise and, if you go to  fitness centers in RV parks, the equipment is probably different each time. Have a personal trainer evaluate your condition and design a regimen you can follow anytime, anywhere you go.



Resume Writing. If you work as you go and are  constantly applying for positions in person and online,  invest in a clean, professionally prepared resume. Go to a pro who knows how  to present your skills in a readable format. Then put the master document on your computer. Update and massage it as necessary.


Safe, Secure Storage Facilities. When you store things in a friend’s attic or basement,  conflicts can arise. If there is a robbery, fire or flood, or if  their  cat decides to use your antique rocker for a scratching post, friendships fray. If your friend moves, you have to make other arrangements–often at the worst possible time. A professional storage facility\  offers insured, secure, heated, dehumidified safety for your stored goods. 


Upholstery. I’m a fair seamstress and can do minor upholstering such as chair seats. In the RV however, upholstering requires special skills, materials and equipment. Have a professional do it right, with the best materials. It will pay in looks, comfort, long wear and resale value.



GIVE THE GIFT OF FREEDOM TO a Retiree, Empty Nester, Suddenly Single, New Graduate or Burned Out Colleague

  We full-timed for 10 great years. We describe it, warts and all,  from early beginning to a happy RV  ending when we became part-timers again.  

 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. 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

These hot-off-the-press news breaks may be incomplete or premature for travel planning. They are presented here by location so you can follow up on your own. No endorsement of any park or service is implied.

 

NEW & FUTURE RV PARKS, RESORTS, CAMPGROUNDS

Traditions Motorcoach Park, proposed for Starkville, Mississippi has been given the green light to proceed with development.  The 13-acre plot is expected to hold about 72 RV sites. Stay tuned for this future destination in the heart of Mississippi Blues and Ragtime country.  

Slated to open in May in Satsuma, Louisiana is the Patriots RV Resort with 20 RV sites at first and more to come soon. Race your RC boat in the lake, play pickleball, use the fitness center and laundry, and enjoy no end of activities indoors and out. Details at PatriotsRVResort.com/



    New in Bastrop, Texas is A Place to Call Home, an RV park inviting long-term residents. It's only four miles from downtown and offers a long list of amenities for rigs 0 to 8 feet. Wi-Fi is conplimentary and there are also gas grills, a stocked fishing pond, basketball hoops, a dog park and a pavilion with fire pit. Get details at www.aplacetocallhomervpark.com, 



CHANGES, NEW OWNERS,  UPGRADES


Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, Virginia is ready to reopen the newly renovated Campground Birch. The target date is May 22, but check the website below.  Improvements include 50/3/20 amp electric hookups and water at each campsite. Campers up to 30 feet can be accommodated. The lake, known for fishing and boating, has a marina with services, snacks and boat rentals. See virginiastateparks.gov/claytor-lake, tel. (540) 643-2500.





Newly upgraded, Bishop Lake Campground in  Brighton State Recreation Area, Michigan is slated to open by Memorial Day with additional campsites, 50-amp service and some newly adapted ADA sites. The Area has nine lakes, five campgrounds and a new Brighton Sensory Area for music lovers. Known for boating and fishing, the Area also has disc golf, special events, archery, hiking,and  mountain biking.   https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/brighton

Streamside Parks, a Nashville-based outdoor hospitality company, is on a buying binge. New to the network are Verde River RV Resort in Camp Verde, Arizona; Indian Water RV Resort in Indio, California;  Fayetteville RV Resort and Raleigh Oaks RV Resort in North Carolina;  Twin Grove RV Resort in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania and, Americamps in Ashland, Virginia. Will new owners bring changes? Know before you go. 

More Briefs about changes in owners: Shady Oasis Kampground & RV Park in Victorville , California has a new owner that is planning major upgrades .In the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, the Dallas/Arlington KOA Holiday is now a KCN Campgrounds member. The park has a playground, bicycle rentals, a swimming pool, dog park, Wi-Fi, cable TV and guest gathering spaces. RV Sites have full hook-ups and some KAO Patio sites are available. 1-800-562-3705 .New leadership is on site at the Richmond, Indiana  KOA Holiday. The family-friendl  park has a swimming pool,, stocked fish pond, crafts programs, planned events for al ages(.800) 562-0611. Meet the new owners at the Red Barn Campground in Shell Lake, Wisconsin. The famil park covers 225 acres and has 400 sites, ATV trails and a big barn for gatherings. See redbarncampground.com/



SCUTTLEBUTT

If city officials get their wish in  Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,  the former campground at Point des Chenes  will be redeveloped. Stay tuned.

Traditions Motorcoach Park, proposed for Starkville, Mississippi has been given the green light to proceed with development.  The 13-acre plot is expected to hold about 72 RV sites. Stay tuned for this future destination in the heart of Mississippi Blues and Ragtime country.  


CLOSINGS

Hover Camp (formerly Camp Rendezvous), Swan Valley Idaho is said to be closed all this year for construction. The camp has RV, tent and cabin sites, a fly shop and is famous for fishing the Snake River At press time the website isn’t helpful.  Phone: (208) 483-2267

Lake Tulloch Campground & Marina, Jamestown, California has been closed because of storm damage and funding uncertainties. Check for its current status at (209) 881-0107


EVENTS

This year’s Forest Trail Music Festival will be held August 27-30 in Manistee National Forest, Michigan. Tickets are now available at ForestTrailMusic.org. Camp on site (separate camping pass required)  to hear days of folk, roots, jam-band, and Americana artists in a family-friendly festival setting. Network with creative folks in arts, crafts, culinary arts and performing.  (231) 510 3056


Be at Devils Fork State Park, Salem, South Carolina on March 19 for the annual Oconee Bell Nature Walk. Walk the Oconee Bell Trail with ranger guide to celebrate this early blooming native wildflower.  Cost is $15 per person. Children should be age 10 or older Register with  tlee@scprt.com, (864) 944-2639 Reservations southcarolinaparks.com, (864) 944-2639




E-Book Armchair Adventure 

The latest in the Yacht Yenta cozy mystery e-books series brings sailboat widow Farley Halladay closer to the answer to her husband's unexplained 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 crazy friends and cry with her as she grieves. Find it on Google Play and other ebook formats and also on  Kindle,   https://amzn.to/3wcf6ao


  See travel recipes for camping and RV cooks at https://campandrvcook.blogspot.com 









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RV Pay to Play + WHERE ARE ALL THE RV SITES?

Copyright janet groene 2026. To ask about rates to reprint this content email janetgroene@yahoo.com SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THIS WEEK'S LATE ...