Blog

We know many folks think of New England for their fall foliage road trips, but don’t forget there are many great stops in the south to see nature’s paintbrush while competing with fewer crowds. Consider one of these fabulous destinations in Utah, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina that can be enjoyed in the offseason.

Utah

Mid-September to mid-October (and even into November) is a terrific time to see the splendor of the great Southwest. Not only have the daytime temperatures come back down to a reasonable level, but Utah’s wide array of national forests and parks provide a diverse foliage spectacle.

The range of elevation allows you to visit in early or late fall and still enjoy the breathtaking colors courtesy of the canyon maples, quaking aspens, scrub oaks, and hawthorns to name a few. Utah has so much to offer, it is hard to recommend just one location but if you only have time for one choose Zion National Park.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of visiting Zion National Park, in particular, is the opportunity for great hiking with fewer crowds and more reasonable temperatures. Start with the regularly-scheduled shuttle bus along the six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which travels along the North Fork of the Virgin River through some of the park’s most outstanding scenery.

Even better you can enjoy it through the month of October and into November. If you want to hit the road yourself, try the 54-mile (one way) Zion Park Scenic Byway which will provide you with plenty of opportunities to pull off the road and take all the photos your heart desires.

Stay at the Zion River Resort RV Park & Campground just thirteen miles from Zion National Park. This beautiful facility offers a wonderful place to rest between your sightseeing adventures. When you’re ready to head to the park, they offer a shuttle to Springdale for only $7.

Texas

Texas is such a large, diverse state you could travel around it the entire year and not see all it has to offer. However, this fall I recommend you pay a visit to the Texas Hill Country in the center of the state. Known for narrow canyon walls along the Guadalupe River, visitors can enjoy a wide array of vibrant fall foliage as Mother Nature turns the Sumac’s red, the Cottonwood’s yellow, and the Sycamore’s orange.

Combine these with the Bigtooth Maples at Lost Maples State Natural Area where you can enjoy over 10 miles of hiking trails, including a loop that takes you along the top of a 2,200-foot cliff.

If you’re visiting with the family, you’ll be happy to know that Texas State Parks offer a Junior Ranger Program similar to the National Park Service. Just pick up a Junior Ranger activity journal at the headquarters and complete the required activities for a badge. Lost Maples State Natural Area has the added benefit of a monthly dark sky program when visitors can explore the night sky.

If you’re looking for a fabulous RV resort to call home during your visit, look no farther than Buckhorn Lake Resort in Kerrville, Texas. The drive from Kerrville to Lost Maples is an hour and a half of some of the most scenic byways in the state.

Florida

The sunshine state doesn’t always come to mind when planning a fabulous fall trip, but let me tell you why it should. For starters, fall is when the weather is still warmer than many locations, but the humidity has dropped to a comfortable range. That means you can leave the cooler confines of many states to the north and still enjoy days and nights outdoors with jackets.

A benefit of heading here in the fall is the chance to see manatees. As the water in the Gulf of Mexico cools, these warm-blooded mammals gravitate towards warmer spring-fed waters. Be sure to take the 45-minute riverboat tour along the Wakulla River. It takes visitors on a two-mile loop downstream and back among the bald cypress trees, wading birds and alligators.

Only 15 minutes away is Wildwood Golf & RV Resort. As the name implies, it is home to an 18-hole championship golf course. Even if you’re not a golfer, you will enjoy its proximity to St Mark’s Bike Trail. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy this 16-mile stretch of converted railway that let’s bikers and hikers go from Florida’s capital to the Gulf of Mexico.

Tennessee – North Carolina  

I would obviously be remiss if I covered fall camping in the south without mentioning the Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Beginning in mid to late September, glorious autumn colors develop above 4,000 feet.

This display usually reaches a peak at lower elevations between mid-October and early November. Basically, that means you can experience the reds and yellows of the changing leaves light up the Smokies for an entire month as the change moves down the mountainsides from the highest elevations to the foothills.

Yes, the weather is cooler here. You’ll definitely need a coat at night, but it sure does make for a fabulous campfire! And everyone knows that cool weather makes comfort food even better. Another great benefit of camping in the Smokies in the fall is the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival. This 3-month long celebration of the fall season lasts from early September through the end of November 25.

Pine Mountain RV Park in Pigeon Forge is the perfect base for your Smoky Mountain adventures. Located close to the national park as well as the tourist towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, there are plenty of activities for everyone.

---

What do you think of the suggestions above? Anything you’d like to add? Leave a comment below!

 

Source link

Many times camping trips involve exploring new territory and discovering enticing attractions along the way. Passenger tour trains have that magnetic appeal for many RVers, providing a novel way to see hidden countryside not normally viewed from the road. Railroad passengers learn about local history, culture and the many colorful characters from the communities visited. And Camping World wants to make sure you don’t miss the departing whistle, so we have created a series entitled RVing the Rails. You will find the most popular excursion trains to ride in each state, complete with any specialty trains they might offer.

Today we will explore the most popular trains in Washington:

Yakima Valley Trolleys

Operating on the original 1907 tracks of the Yakima Valley Transportation Company, the trolleys connect the towns of Yakima and Selah, Washington. The Union Pacific purchased the track, with plans to utilize the interurban cars as freight runners to their mainline.

But as personal automobiles became more popular, the need for streetcars waned, and the line was discontinued in 1947. By 1985 Union Pacific abandoned the line, donating the equipment to the city of Yakima. Today, the town has rejuvenated streetcar traffic, giving new generations insight into transportation innovations of the past.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Yakima Valley Trolleys run on overhead wire electrical lines by power provided from the original stone powerhouse and substation. Two streetcars travel the five miles from Yakima over the Naches River and through the Selah Gap before returning.

Seating Options

There is no assigned seating on the trolleys. All tickets are round-trip fares.

Riding Options

There are two options for a trolley ride:

• Selah Line – Transportation from Yakima to Selah and back is offered with this ticket.
• Pine Street Line – Ride up and down Pine Street, hopping on and off the trolley at your leisure. The ticket is good for the entire day.

Specialty Trains

• Halloween Trolley – A spooky trip on the Halloween Trolley will scare any ghost or goblin!
• Trolley Mysteries – Take a mysterious trolley to the Yakima Valley Museum for an evening of wine and beer tastings, music and a silent auction.
• Santa Claus Trolley – Don’t disappoint Old Saint Nick by missing his official ride for the season!

Length of Season

Running on weekends from Memorial Day through the end of September, the Yakima Valley Trolleys leave at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm.

Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum

Built along tracks from the original Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Railway, this train was put together piece by piece. The inspiration for today’s railroad was a 1916 steam locomotive that had been in a Chehalis city park.

Restoration on the engine took two years, giving local volunteers time to find passenger cars and gain use of the old rails from Chehalis to just past Milburn for coach and dinner excursions.

Railway and Locomotive Types

The Chehalis Centralia restored a steam engine that had been in a city park on display for thirty years, then added authentic 1920s passenger cars to run on standard gauge rails.

The train runs through hills and over wooden trestles along the Chehalis River for approximately 10 miles.

Seating Options

Seating on the regular trains is open, without assignment. Passengers are encouraged to explore any or all of the cars and can sit where they like.

Dinner trains have assigned seating at tables of four. The railroad also offers an upgrade ticket to ride in the cab of the locomotive with the train engineer.

Riding Options

The railway offers two round-trip rides through the farmland of the Chehalis Valley:

• Coach Train Rides – Enjoy a slightly shorter excursion along the Chehalis River.
• Dinner Train Rides – Four-course meals are served in a dining car as passengers enjoy the surrounding countryside.

Specialty Trains

• Murder Mystery – Become a sleuth on this evening dinner train, solving a murder case while enjoy a hearty meal.
• Sweetheart’s Train – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic evening train ride through the Chehalis Valley while dining on a scrumptious four-course meal.
• Eggspress Train – Bring your own Easter basket for a Spring train ride and egg hunt. A visit from the Easter Bunny is guaranteed!
• Pumpkin Train – Enjoy an Autumn ride on the steam train to a pumpkin patch, where kids can select their own pumpkin for carving.
• Polar Express – Take the kids on a magical train ride to the North Pole while the story of the Polar Express is read. All will enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as Santa visits with starry-eyed children.

Length of Season

The railroad season runs on weekends from May through October, with both coach trains and dinner trains. Specialty trains run on specific dates throughout the year, so please check the calendar to schedule your excursion.

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad

The rail lines in northern Clark County, Washington were first built in the 1880s but went through numerous ownership changes. From the Vancouver, Klickitat and Yakima Railroad to the Northern Pacific, today’s train had many names over the years, but initially was created to service the lumber industry.

Passengers caught a ride when they could find a seat in engine, caboose or on freight cars during the heydays of logging. But eventually the railroad became less and less important and parts of the line were abandoned. By 1998, a group of local volunteers began restoring the rails and equipment, and the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad began excursion service in 2001.

Railway and Locomotive Types

Diesel locomotives push (and pull) the train on standard gauge tracks from Yacolt to Lucia and back. The rolling stock consists of several cabooses, a Pullman car, and an open-air car. A steam locomotive is also utilized for special occasions and weekend traffic.

Seating Options

Open seating on the train gives all passengers the chance to enjoy enclosed coach travel as well as open-air cars on warm summer days.

Riding Options

The railroad offers two types of trips, both along the same tracks. They run on separate schedules, so be sure to check the train calendar to see which is available on your day of travel.

• Diesel Trains
• Steam Locomotive Trains

The schedule provides a nice selection of dinner and wine trains available, as well.

Specialty Trains

• Robbery Train – Don’t bring too many valuables on the train, as thieves have been known to “hold up” the Iron Horse on some of its excursions.
• Headless Horseman Train – Enjoy the spookiest of adventures as passengers travel the Chelatchie Prairie with a headless horseman.
• Christmas Tree Special – Bring the family to ride the train to a Christmas tree farm, select the perfect evergreen and bring it back on the train!

Length of Season

The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad runs on weekends from May through December. Check the train schedule to find the excursion that best meets your needs.

---

Join the thousands of RVers that have a love affair with trains and ride the rails on your next camping trip. Check out the other excursion trains available on a state-by-state basis in our series, RVing the Rails.

Source link

In this episode, Sam interviews Ian and Jordan Knoll, Real Estate Investors from Grand Rapids, Michigan who have been married for five years. They are hitting the road in their 1989 Toyota Itasca Spirit with their Chihuahua, Bella, and heading for Mexico! Ian and Jordan have a love for travel and adventure and are excited to embrace full-time RV life. Check them out on Instagram @jordanandiantravel.

Tune in to hear Ian and Jordan share what it’s been like to prepare for this lifestyle, how they’ve built a real estate portfolio to fund their travels, and what they hope to see and experience on the road!

What we talk about in this episode:

• 1:00 – Preparing to hit the road and building real estate portfolio
• 8:30 – Choosing a rig and planning travel
• 17:00 – Advice for RV life
• 23:00 – Stories about preparing to hit the road
• 26:30 – Last minute preparations

Advice from Jordan and Ian

There are so many great resources on the internet for full-time RVing! Look for these types of resources:

• Amazing guides on Pinterest (like on the Camping World Pinterest!)
• Travel podcasts and blogs
• Full-time RV YouTube channels
• RVing Facebook groups

Communicate with your partner every step of the way. You’re in this journey together.

** Subscribe to Stories from the Road on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Play **

Source link

When it comes to maintaining a motorhome’s engine, most people focus on oil changes—making sure they’re done on schedule.

Changing your engine air filter on a regular basis is just as important. Here’s why.

The Engine Air Filter Is the Number One Defense Against Dust & Dirt

Modern motorhome engines, just like automobile engines, are built with very specific tolerances. Any dirt or dust introduced into the system, no matter how minimal, is going to lower the performance of your engine.

Dirt in an engine is extremely abrasive. The tolerances referenced above mean each component of an engine is engineered and manufactured with precision accuracy, so each piece fits and moves perfectly within the system.

Engine air filters have a limit to how much dirt and dust they can filter. As they get older and more clogged, more dirt is going to get through to sensitive engine parts.

When dirt is introduced, the seal and fit of engine components degrade more and more, decreasing the power and efficiency of your engine.

Engines on Less Developed Roads Need More Filtration

It’s one thing for an engine to be running down the interstate for hundreds of miles at a time. It’s a different situation in the places some people try to get with their motorhomes.

You may be looking for open land and fresh air at your destination, but the journey can be harmful to your engine.

Whether it’s a local campground with unpaved sites, boondocking on public lands, or trekking deep into state parks, kicking up the dirt around you will introduce more contaminants close to your engine air intake.

Without a clean engine air filter, that dirt and dust won’t just end up on your hiking boots. It’ll make its way into sensitive engine compartments.

A Clogged Engine Air Filter = Reduced Performance in Every Way

So what do we mean by “reduced performance?” This can manifest itself in several ways.

Lower Fuel Efficiency

Fuel is one of the top expenses when it comes to RVing, and in the most basic sense, fuel + air is what moves your motorhome down the road.

When airflow to the engine is reduced by a clogged air filter, there’s simply no way it’s running as efficiently as possible. When it needs to work harder, you’re just burning more fuel.

Slower Acceleration

While we’re not expecting to go 0-60 like a sports car, slower acceleration can be not only frustrating but dangerous.

A clogged air filter can cause an engine and motorhome to feel sluggish—slow to respond to the gas pedal.

Anyone who’s driven an RV knows how much extra time and space you need to pull into traffic. The worst-case scenario here is that you start pulling out of a parking lot and the motorhome just doesn’t respond as quickly as you expect, disrupting cars on the main road and putting you in danger of a collision.

Less Towing Power

Many motorhome owners tow another vehicle, or “toad,” so they can leave their RV at the campground and easily get around. Some tow boats, 4x4s, or equipment for other outdoor activities.

As we know by this point, a clogged air filter means a less efficient engine—something you’ll definitely feel when you need more torque to pull that second vehicle along.

This is only made worse if you’re traveling in the mountains with lots of uphill pulls to get to your eventual destination.

---

Your motorhome’s engine air filter is an often-overlooked component that needs to be replaced on a regular schedule. Keep it clean and you’ll have no problem getting your RV anywhere you want to go.

Source link

People in all stages of life are jumping into the RV lifestyle. Still, one of the most common times people get into RVing is after retirement.

RVing is the perfect way to see the country, visit family, and relax through your retirement years.

Retirees often choose a Class A motorhome to be their home base on these adventures. Here are a few reasons why.

Class A Motorhomes Offer Spacious Layouts

After decades in a traditional home, it can be difficult to adjust to the size of a smaller travel trailer or Class B motorhome.

Class As are the largest motorhome class, with large living spaces and loads of storage in the “basement” areas.

This also means there’s a lot of room for friends or grandchildren to come along. Even in floor plans that are geared toward couples, there’s plenty of room to find some sleeping space for others.

What grandchild wouldn’t want to sleep on the “magic” bed that drops down over the cab?

It’s Easier to Maneuver a Motorhome Than to Tow

While they may seem intimidating, learning to drive a motorhome, even a Class A, is easier than learning to handle a large travel trailer or fifth wheel.

There’s no dealing with pivot points or turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction that you would expect. Driving a motorhome comes much more naturally than towing.

Even when you’re bringing along a toad, you’re typically only moving forward while the toad is attached. Once you get to your destination and need to finesse the motorhome into your campsite or driveway, you’ll unhitch the toad before backing up.

Large Tanks for More Camping Versatility

Class A motorhomes have the largest tanks of any motorhome. This means you can spend more time away from freshwater or sewer service.

One of the perks of RVing during retirement is the ability to travel slowly. The large tanks will let you take a couple extra days to get to your destination and explore along the way.

It’s also helpful when you’re “mooch docking” in a friend or child’s driveway.

While they can run electrical and maybe a freshwater line out to your motorhome, very few will have a sewer port for you to empty your black and gray water tanks. Spend more time with the grandchildren instead of driving over to a dump station.

Other Benefits of Class A Motorhomes

Panoramic Sightlines

The massive windshield lets you take in everything you want to see while traveling the country. There’s nothing quite like traveling in the front seats of a Class A with an unobstructed view of the landscape around you.

Luxurious Finishes and Tech

Class As are going to have the high-end finishes you’d expect in a motorhome at this price point. You’ll often get residential-grade furniture, plumbing fixtures, and cabinetry.

As far as tech, you’ll often get smartphone control of all your systems, automatic leveling jacks, and other features to make your RV experience as easy and stress-free as possible.

Solid Build Quality

The all-in-one nature of Class A motorhomes results in a solid build quality that you’ll feel as you drive down the road.

You’ll notice a lot less road noise and less chassis shake with a Class A as compared to a Class C, which is built on a van chassis.

---

Class A motorhomes make a fantastic and popular choice for retired couples looking to hit the road and travel the country.

Ready to start your RV search? Check out our wide selection of Class A motorhomes!

Source link

The holidays are fast approcahing and that means a number of things. Chief among them for many people is that you’ll be doing some gift giving to your friends, family, and significant others. Another important part of this season is football games. And where there is football there are tailgaters.

Chances are, someone in your friend or family group is a tailgater, and why not get that person something that they will truly use? With that in mind, here are some of the best gift options out there for the tailgater in your life.

Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill

Get one of the best names in the grilling industry for your tailgater! this Weber Q 1200 Portable Gas Grill has everything you could need for a fun day spent outdoors with friends and family tailgating it up. The grill features 189-square-inch cast iron grate and it has a built-in thermometer so you can make sure you’re cooking at precisely the right temperature. Making great food at the game has never been easier.

Check it out at Camping World

Coleman RoadTrip Classic Grill

If the Weber grill shown above just isn’t quite what you’re looking for, turn to this Coleman RoadTrip Classic Grill. It’s a camping favorite that also happens to work wonderfully for tailgating. The grill features a large 285-square-inch cooking area and 20,000 BTUs of cooking power. It also comes with a five-year limited warranty.

Check it out at Camping World

Perma Chill 50 Quart Cooler

You have to have a way to store your food and beverages at the game, and the Perma Chill 50 Quart Cooler is the perfect way to do just that. With 12.5 gallons of space, you should have all the room you need and this cooler will keep ice frozen for up to seven days, which is way more than anyone ever will need tailgating.

Check it out at Camping World

Adventurer Director’s Chair

Looking for a good basic chair for tailgating purposes? The Adventurer Director’s Chair is one of the best. It’s built strong and offers a comfortable design. it also has a small side table and cup holder. This makes it perfect for enjoying some hamburgers and a cold beverage while you’re hanging out at the game.

Check it out at Camping World

XL Deluxe Zero Gravity Recliner

Some folks who tailgate like to move around a lot and others like to lounge. Honestly, I fit in the latter category. I’m all for having fun, but I’ll be more comfortable in a recliner than a typical chair. That’s why the XL Deluxe Ze3ro Gravity Recliner would be my go-to pick for tailgating.

Check it out at Camping World

Black Sierra Doublewide Padded Sofa

A doublewide sofa is perfect for tailgating. Few tailgate alone and that means you either have to buy a couple of chairs or you should get one of these sofas. It will comfortably seat two people and on either side is a cup holder. It also folds up and can be put away easily when the day is done.

Check it out at Camping World

Football Bean Bag Toss Set

No day spent tailgating would be complete without a bean bag toss set or a cornhole set, as I like to call it. This football Bean Bag Toss Set in particular is perfect for tailgating because of its design that looks like a football field. The bean bags, too, keep with the football theme, looking like actual footballs.

Check it out at Camping World

American Football Field Outdoor Mat

While stepping out of your RV or vehicle onto the grass is fine most of the time, having a mat or rug outside can help keep you from getting your RV or vehicle dirty. That’s where an outdoor mat like this American Football Field one will come in handy. The design is simple and it’ll get the job done.

Check it out at Camping World

Portable Picnic Table with Benches

You need to have at least one table while tailgating. This Portable Picnic Table with Benches is a super smart choice. It gives you seating and a table to work with. The benches fold up and under the table when not in use so everything is extremely compact.

Check it out at Camping World

Original Quik-Fold Table

Is the picnic table shown above a little too big for you? If so, the Original Quick-Fold Table is a good alternative. It can be used as an end table, a table for eating at, or a good little table next to the grill. It’s the table’s versatility that makes it so special and worthy of the tailgater in your life.

Check it out at Camping World

---

What do you want to get the tailgater in your life? Leave a comment below!

Source link