Sam brings Ian Baker back on the podcast to chat about various types of RVs and answer the most important question… “What type of RV should you buy?”. Tune in to hear the difference between the classes of motorhomes and the pros and cons of towables vs. non-towables. Plus, learn what to look for in used or new RVs!
If you’re looking for an easy recipe to grill, this mustard and seasoning salt pork tenderloin is always a crowd-pleaser. And, the best part is it’s simple to make with only three ingredients.
Pork tenderloin is different than a pork loin – the tenderloin is a long, thin cut of meat from a different part of the animal. Make sure you’ve grabbed a tenderloin for this recipe, as loins take much longer to cook and are better for roasting. For this quick grilling recipe, the tenderloin cut is perfect.
This recipe calls for an easy rub of mustard and seasoning salt. You can use yellow or brown mustard, both give the meat a great taste with the brown mustard being a bit subtler. So use whatever you have on hand.
Image by the author
This recipe calls for an easy rub of mustard and seasoning salt. You can use yellow or brown mustard, both give the meat a great taste with the brown mustard being a bit subtler. So use whatever you have on hand.
Ingredients:
2 Pork tenderloins
Yellow or brown mustard
Seasoning salt such as Lawry’s or Johnny Salt
Equipment:
Grill
Knife
Tongs
Instructions:
Rinse tenderloins and pat dry. Trim and remove any excess fat or silver skin. Smear with a good coating of mustard and sprinkle with the seasoning salt on all sides.
Image by the author
Heat the grill to medium-high with direct and indirect grilling surfaces. On a charcoal grill, this means setting up the briquettes on one half of the grill. For gas, simply turn on the burners on half the grill, and leave the other half off.
Place tenderloins on the grill over direct heat and close the lid. Grill pork on direct heat for five minutes. Flip the tenderloins and grill the other side over direct heat with the lid closed for another five minutes.
Image by the author
Move the pork to indirect heat and grill for another 10-15 minutes, again with the lid closed, until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
Image by the author
Remove from the grill and allow to rest for five minutes. The pork will continue to cook and the internal temperature should rise to 145-150 degrees F for medium doneness. We recommend using a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to confirm that the correct internal temperature has been reached. You’ll see the temperature rise in the five minutes or so after removing the meat from the grill.
Then slice and serve! It’s great on its own, or with your favorite BBQ or dipping sauce.
Note: the FDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F for safety.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Leave a comment below!
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. 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 start with the most popular trains in Ohio:
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Photo Credit: NPS
Built in 1880 to transport coal and passengers, this railway became part of the B&O Railroad and the Chessie Line, before interest in creating a scenic excursion on the existing rails became a reality in 1972.
Running from Independence to Akron along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, the railroad now takes riders through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where visitors can experience reclaimed wetland habitats, forests and rolling hills. Passengers can board or disembark at three stations to explore the park, or ride a specialty train throughout the season.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The Cuyahoga runs on standard gauge rails with diesel engines. Its passenger cars vary from comfortable enclosed coach cars to elegant lounge, café, dome, and dining cars, outfitted to enhance the golden age of transportation.
Seating Options
The railroad offers several classes of service to its passengers:
Coach All Day Pass – Get on and off the train throughout the day, exploring the national park at your leisure. These tickets have general unassigned seating.
Table Top – Assigned seating with tables in a dining car.
First Class – Assigned seating with padded chairs and tables in first class enclosed car.
Executive Class – Assigned seating in a lounge car, with complimentary muffin and beverage.
Upper Dome – Assigned seating in a dome observation car, with padded seats and tables.
Check the train schedule to select dates, times and classes of service available to fit your travel schedule.
Riding Options
Photo Credit: Cards84664 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has a wide variety of rail cars in which to enjoy your excursion:
Enclosed Coach Car – Seating is unassigned in a passenger car with sections of four seats – two facing each other.
Vintage Dining Car – Four-top seating is assigned in a restored enclosed car.
Dome Observation Car – Assigned seats in a panoramic glass-enclosed observation car, with seats configured in groups of four with a table between.
Specialty Trains
Polar Express – Wear your pajamas and join the fun on the Polar Express train, running from November 8 through December 21. Cookies and cocoa warm up the occasion as the train makes its way into North Pole Village, where caroling elves greet children and the young at heart. Santa even makes an appearance.
Murder Mystery Train – Special Friday night trains cater to the detective in you, with a murder mystery that must be solved before the ride is over. Wear period costumes, indulge in appetizers and dig up clues to find a culprit as the railroad leads passengers down the tracks on this two-hour excursion.
Ales on Rails – Enjoy five beer samples paired with appetizers as you learn about the brews’ body, aroma, and finish. Available to those 21 and over, passengers will take home great memories and a commemorative tasting glass.
Dinner Train – Fall and Summer dinner trains on Friday evenings include a two-hour train ride with an elegant four-course meal and complimentary bar service.
Length of Season
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs year-round, but specialty rides have specific dates of service. Explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park by train, or bring your bicycle and utilize their “Bike Aboard” option, with several stops to carry you and your two-wheeler down the line.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad
Photo Credit: JP Mueller (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Begun as the Mineral Railroad in 1864, these tracks were initially laid the bring salt and coal from Athens to Columbus, Ohio, with a cannon on board to announce the train’s arrival into each city.
By 1899, the line had attained the name of Hocking Valley Railway, transporting cargo and commuters, but the Great Depression brought an end to passenger travel along those rails. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that volunteers began to resurrect the railroad, creating today’s weekend trains that run between Nelsonville and Haydenville, from Memorial Day through the end of October. There are also several special event trains that run on specific dates.
Railway and Locomotive Types
These standard gauge tracks support diesel engines with a variety of cars, dependent upon the season and the event. A couple of days each year the Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad hosts a Steam Day, where passengers ride behind a restored 1920 coal-fired steam locomotive. This treat sells out quickly, so check the schedule and grab your tickets early!
Seating Options
Photo Credit: Jaknouse (CC BY-SA 3.0)
All seating is unassigned, with space available in heated, enclosed coaches, and in summer several cars have air conditioning, while others have windows that can be opened.
Riding Options
Most cars are enclosed with general seating, but some specialty trains include double-decker cars or cabooses. Select the car you are most comfortable in and enjoy the ride through Hocking River country to see the river locks.
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: Don O’Brien (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Easter Bunny Train & Egg Hunt – Enjoy a two-hour round-trip outing to the Easter Bunny’s secret hidden egg location, where children hunt for eggs that contain prizes. Only two Bunny Trains are on the schedule, so hop on over to the website to get your tickets!
Ohio’s Friendliest Train Robbery – Get robbed by train bandits along the tracks on this special train. These robbers are looking for loot when they stop the train, so be prepared with some “fake” bills!
All Caboose Train – On August 31 a collection of privately-owned cabooses is assembled on the train, with each passenger given the opportunity to disembark and photograph the “caboose train” as it rolls down the rails.
Trunk or Treat Train – Dress your kids in their scariest costumes to collect treats as the train winds its way through spooky Hocking Valley.
New Year’s Eve Train & Fireworks – Take a ride through the evening countryside, stopping at the stroke of midnight to enjoy fireworks from the train.
Length of Season
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad is run by an all-volunteer group, with trains scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October. Specialty trains have specific dates running from April to the end of the year.
Cincinnati Dinner Train
Photo Credit: CincinnatiDinnerTrain.com
This unique railway has been in existence for 10 years, capturing passengers’ attention with a twist on Date Night. Ride in one of four authentic 1949 dining cars along the Ohio River while indulging in a scrumptious four-course meal, complete with live musical entertainment.
Riders are encouraged to dress in period clothing, as an event photographer snaps candid images of everyone onboard. The entire trip is 25 miles, completed in three hours with passengers limited to those over 12 years old. It’s the perfect recipe for some time with loved ones in a unique atmosphere.
Railway and Locomotive Types
The Cincinnati Dinner Train runs on standard gauge rails with a diesel engine powering the train. The dining cars are all circa the 1940s, with a kitchen car used to provide hot-from-the-oven meals onboard.
Seating Options
Photo Credit: CincinnatiDinnerTrain.com
Staff assigns seating after the reservations have been made on the dinner train. All cars are climate-controlled dining cars with tables for four, although there are a few two-person tables. Tickets are all the same price and children under 12 are only allowed on chartered cars.
Riding Options
The dinner train consists of a four-course dinner, served in authentic 1940s dining cars during a three hour narrated train ride. All cars offer the same amenities, so there are no varying classes of service available. Check out their schedule for dates of service.
Besides the Saturday evening dinner trains, passengers have the following optional opportunities:
Locomotive Cab Ride – A seat is available every Saturday evening in the diesel locomotive. One lucky rail fan can eat dinner with his or her friends and family on the way out of the depot, then ride with the train’s engineer in the cab all the way back. The ticket includes a Cincinnati Dinner Train cap to commemorate the occasion.
Private Cars – Procure one, two, three or all four dining cars for your own private event. Each car can handle from 12 to 60 passengers, and ticket prices include dinners, taxes and gratuities. And if you anticipate a very large event, rent the entire train!
Specialty Trains
Photo Credit: CincinnatiDinnerTrain.com
1949 Train – The September 7th dinner train hearkens back to the late 1940s. Dinner is served in the authentic 1949 dining cars, with retro entertainment by the Queen City Sisters singing hit songs from that time frame. Guests are encouraged to don costumes reminiscent of the Big Band era, with a photographer on hand to capture the essence of historical fashion.
Labor Day Fireworks Train – Enjoy dinner on the September 1st evening train as it heads downtown, where Cincinnati celebrates the end of Summer with a blast!
Length of Season
The Cincinnati Dinner Train runs every Saturday (except Thanksgiving weekend) from March through December. The dress is business casual and no jeans, shorts or flip-flops are allowed.
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 on Fridays.
An escape to “The Islands” is on the wishlist of many a traveler, and the Virgin Islands are usually at the top of that list. So, it shouldn’t surprise us that the National Park Service has one of the most coveted vacation spots on its roster: The U.S. Virgin Islands National Park covers about 60% of St. John’s Island, one of the US Virgin Islands.
Imagine relaxing on immaculate white sand beaches, snorkeling through protected coral reefs and meandering through hundreds of years of history all in one place. Here visitors can explore the same coves where pirates hid their bounty and Christopher Columbus greeted Native Americans in 1493.
Relish the sounds of the Caribbean surf lapping the sand or hike through tropical forests to discover the magnetic pull of island life.
History of Virgin Islands National Park
The first residents of the Virgin Islands were hunter-gathers from South America. They date back to 840 BC, but within 1,600 years villages had been established in almost all the beaches on St. John. By the time Christopher Columbus arrived here in 1493 Taino Indians had settled on the island, and with Columbus came Europeans, who began battling over ownership of the islands.
Merely 100 years later, pirates discovered the seclusion and safety of this region, using it to hide out as they plundered treasure from Spanish ships. Blackbeard himself sailed this waters, using the hidden ports to lie in wait for unsuspecting ships carrying expensive cargo.
Members of the Danish West India and Guinea Company were the first to settle on the Island of St. John in the 1700s, establishing sugar cane plantations, which required large numbers of laborers. The planters initially used the indigenous tribes as slave labor, then began importing Africans from the Portuguese-dominated slave trade.
It didn’t take long for the number of slaves to become five times greater than the number of Danish settlers and a serious uprising occurred, putting the control of the island in slave hands for nearly six months. However, rather than return to captivity and slavery, more than two dozen Africans took their own lives before French forces could get to them.
Finally ending the practice of slavery in 1848, the sugar cane plantations soon reaped what they had sewn. They began to fail, as they had been dependent upon the free labor.
In need of a naval base during the first World War, the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917. Wealthy investors began buying land and rehabilitating many of the plantation houses, creating resorts. Laurence Rockefeller owned a large swath of St. John and in 1956 deeded the property over to the National Park Service, with the agreement it would be protected from further development.
Today Virgin Islands National Park encompasses more than 14,000 acres full of forests, pristine beaches and aqua blue waters full of coral reefs and colorful sea life.
Why Can’t You Visit Virgin Islands National Park in Your RV?
Photo Credit: Carolyn Rogers NPS
The park is on an island that requires first a plane ride and then a boat ride to get there. So, RV to Miami, find a place to park it for a while and enjoy a quick holiday in a resort or at the campground on the island (with tents and linens included).
Your motorhome will be waiting for you when you get back from a relaxing getaway at Virgin Islands National Park.
Places to Go
Here is a list of the places you need to check out when you visit the island.
Cinnamon Bay
This is the longest beach on the island, perfect for sailing and windsurfing, and snorkeling gear is available for rent here, as well.
Trunk Bay
This beach even comes with its own lifeguards, so enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the sun and surf.
Visitor Center
Located in Cruz Bay, the visitor center provides brochures, maps, and information about the park, as well as schedules for ranger-led tours and hikes.
Things to Do
Here are some of the activities you can and should do while enjoying your stay at the park.
Hiking
There are several hikes on both the North and South Shores of the island, varying in length from 15 minutes to two hours. Here are a few of the 20 trails through the park:
Cinnamon Bay Resort has a campground that includes bare sites for those with their own tents, and platform tents, which come with tent, camp mattresses and linens. There are also several cottages that can be rented.
Birdwatching
The forests on St. Johns Island have a wide diversity of birds, including hummingbirds, cuckoos and warblers.
Beach Combing
The simple pleasure of a walk along the beach collecting shells or building a sandcastle is easy to do here, with so many quiet beaches to choose from.
When to Visit Virgin Islands National Park
When is there a bad time to visit a Caribbean island? Many travelers love to visit in the winter, substituting sunny warm beaches for the cold and snow of the northern states, so December through March is usually the busy season for Virgin Islands National Park.
The park is open year-round, and as long as there is water for cooling off, even summers are a delightful time to enjoy sunsets on the beach and snorkeling among the coral reefs.
One caveat—watch the weather reports if planning a trip to the island between August and October, as that is prime hurricane season.
Where You Can Stay
Obviously, there are no RV campgrounds or dispersed sites on St. John’s Island. Since arrival to the island requires an airplane flight, travelers are reminded to leave their motorhome or travel trailer on the mainland.
However, camping by tent is allowed on the island at the Cinnamon Bay Resort, and cottage rentals are available there, as well. If looking for an RV campground on the mainland to utilize before and after your trip to St. John, here are a few suggestions in the Miami area:
Getting to and Around Virgin Islands National Park
Photo Credit: Mattes
Getting to Virgin Islands National Park is a three-part process. Visitors must fly into St. Thomas, as the Island of St. John has no airports. Once landed, rent a car or take a taxi to the east end of St. Thomas Island and the town of Redhook. Take a car barge or people ferry to St. John’s Island. From the ferry terminal, it is a short walk to the National Park visitor center.
There are two roads on St. John and both are best traversed by car, as they are steep and winding. Vehicles are required to stay within parking areas and will be ticketed if parked outside of designated regions or on fragile vegetation.
Island Lure
A visit to Virgin Islands National Park is more like a getaway, where travelers immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the Caribbean while absorbing the tumultuous history and wonderful mixture of cultures and inhabitants that exist there today.
It is a place for exploration, relaxation, and anticipation of what tomorrow will bring to this island oasis. Visitors are guaranteed to leave with an overwhelming desire to return time and time again.
Do you want to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park? Why or why not? Leave a comment below!
Your RV kitchen is small. Maybe not abysmally small, but probably smaller than your kitchen at home. You need kitchen tools that are efficient in size and utility, with multi-purpose functions.
You need kitchen tools that can be easily stored in your small cabinets, and that won’t break if you hit a bump in the road. You need tools that will allow you to spend more time doing what you love while traveling, without sacrificing the qualities of a formerly-laborious, delicious meal.
Illustration by Whitney Cleveland.
Lacking space or time is no longer a problem for campers who love to cook—or for those who simply wish to eat well while on the road. A plenitude of kitchen tools and utensils exist that provide all-of-the-above qualities, and that won’t put a major dent in your travel expenses.
Kitchen Appliances and Utensils
Here’s a look at some kitchen appliances and utensils that can make a huge difference inside your RV. If you don’t have at least some of these, it’s time to upgrade.
A Combo Mixer for Smoothies and Food Processing
Image from Camping World
A fraction of the size of standard blenders, this combo mixer is perfect for your RV. Chop, grind, blend, mix, or whip up your next meal. The mixer can be used for whisking omelets, blending single-serving smoothies, grinding coffee beans, chopping salsa, preparing frozen cocktails and fresh sorbets, and so much more.
Eating fresh has never been so easy, with the added benefit of avoiding all of the yucky preservatives and additives in canned/prepared food from the store.
An Air Fryer for Healthier Dishes
Image from Camping World
Fried foods are freaking delicious. The caveat is that they’re incredibly messy to prepare, and unhealthy to eat regularly. Reduce clean-up, cook-time, calories, and saturated fats by treating yourself to an air fryer like the one shown above.
From $40 to $200, an air fryer won’t break your budget. The equivalent size to a toaster oven, the fryer won’t take up too much space in your rig’s kitchen. If you love fried foods, this healthier alternative would be a great addition to your home away from home.
Many recipes for the air fryer don’t use any oil at all, while oven-roasting uses about the same. Fry chicken, vegetables, and potatoes together for an easy, healthy meal. Canned chickpeas are excellent when air-fried with olive oil. Prepared frozen foods can be tossed in the fryer for a quick snack.
An Instant Pot for Easy Cooking
An Instant Pot will replace many kitchen tools and appliances in your kitchen. It can work as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, steamer, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and can even saute. Save space in your rig, and save time cooking, by using an Instant Pot.
The high temperatures and sealed environment of an Instant Pot produces savory results by locking in moisture, reducing your need for cooking oils and other saturated fats. Expect cooking time to be cut in half (or more) for most dishes.
Try Sous Vide
The Sous Vide style of cooking involves a few simple steps: seal your food in a bag, then submerge it in a water bath to cook it to a precise temperature.
Typically, you’ll finish prepping by grilling, searing, or broiling to add a crispy exterior layer. Sous Vide-prepared foods are exquisitely moist and flavorful. Pork belly, steaks, and lamb are especially delicious when cooked via Sous Vide, then seared for a short time as a final step.
Look for Reusable and Foldable Utensils
Anything you can reuse is a good idea at the campground. Definitely keep an eye out for tools and utensils you can use again and again. Here are a couple of ideas:
Soda Caps Keep the Fizz In
Image from Camping World
This cap will keep your canned beverage as bubbly as it was when you opened it: a great option for carbonated mixers and sodas. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to finish a full can after opening it, then this is a great help.
Reusable Coffee Brewing Dripper
Image from Camping World
This collapsible and reusable coffee drip brewer is made of silicone and can help save space while still getting you your daily cup of coffee. You’ll won’t need filters for this either as it offers a screen system in the bottom.
This drip brewer will also work for teas and other hot beverages, making it a super handy item to have in your kitchen.
Foldable Kettle for Simplicity and Space Savings
Image from Camping World
Made of lightweight (but strong) food-grade quality silicone, you can boil water in a few minutes in a foldable kettle. Most foldable kettles collapse into half for storage, and can be squished between other cooking tools in your cabinets when not in use.
Find Ways to Make the Most of Your Space
In addition to finding reusable items, you want to look for things that make it easy for your to make the most of your small kitchen space. Here are some fantastic options for your rig’s galley.
Racks for Storage Areas
image from Camping World
A rack for your kitchen is the perfect multi-purpose tool. Use it to make extra space in your cooler or freezer, for dish-drying in the sink, or for additional cabinet storage.
Slide Out Spice Rack For Easy Access
This slide-out spice rackwill keep your spice jars right where you left them, through even the bumpiest of terrains. The rack can hang from a shelf, slide out of a cabinet, or stand independently on a counter. It can be mounted with double-sided tape or can be screwed in.
An Under-the-Cabinet Hammock for Fruit
Image from Camping World
This under-the-cabinet fruit hammock can attach anywhere you can screw-in two small hooks, keeping produce within your reach, but out of your way.
Adjustable Cargo Net for Odds and Ends
An adjustable cargo net is a useful device for just about anywhere in your RV, but it can be handy in certain storage areas of your kitchen. If you have some items you’re not sure what to do with, consider a cargo net for them.
Non-Slip Cabinet Liners Holding Things in Place
Simply line your cabinets with these non-slip liners and you’ll never have kitchen tools or appliances tumbling out of your cabinets again. These can be super helpful when transporting your RV from place to place if you keep the cabinets full.
In the end, its important to think about your kitchen space in your RV and how the items, appliances, and utensils fit into that space. There are plenty of new and improved options out there. The ones called out above should help you make the most of your kitchen space.
How do you make the most of your RV’s kitchen area? Leave a comment below!
Most RV’s come with air conditioning units installed. If your RV doesn’t then you’ll need to find another way to stay cool. Also, if you do have an AC, but are boondocking and don’t want your AC using up tons of energy, then you’ll need to find alternative ways to keep from cooking yourself inside your RV.
Here are some tips and tricks you can use to stay cool in your camper without cranking up the air conditioning unit.
Think About Where You Park
Shade is key to staying cool when you’re in an RV. Even if you have to park or get a campsite in an area that isn’t your first preference, you might find that it’s better than that super sunny spot by the lake or beach. If you can, try to find a large tree to park near. This will help keep the temperature down in your RV.
Also, think about where wind or a breeze is blowing. You’ll want to park where you can catch moving air. This might mean you park your RV away from others or near an open area. See if you can survey the campground before you choose your campsite or think about looking at a Google Map view online to find a good spot to go.
Open Up Windows and Think About Ventilation
First thing’s first, screen doors and windows are your friend. Use them. Opening up your RV will only help let hot air out and keep your RV well ventilated. On super hot days, this might not be enough, but it should help otherwise.
As I said above, you should think ahead about ventilation. This is important for choosing the right campsite, but it’s also helpful to think about when positioning your RV in a specific campground. You may want to orient your rig differently depending on which way the breeze is blowing. At some campgrounds you don’t have much of a choice, but it’s always worth thinking about.
Use LED Lights Inside Your RV
Image by EllenM from Getty
This is a small thing, but it can make a big difference. Those incandescent light bulbs in your rig actually waste a lot of energy producing heat. By switching to LED light bulbs, you should not only cut down on the amount of energy used, but you should also cut down on the amount of heat created inside your RV. When you’re trying to stay cool, even little things like this can help a lot.
Cook Outside
This one’s kind of a no brainer. When you cook inside you rig, you create a lot of heat. It can take a long time for that heat to dissipate once you’re done cooking. Instead of heating up the inside of your RV by cooking in your kitchen, fire up the grill and cook outside.
If you don’t have a grill, consider cooking over an open campfire. This is a great thing to do with a family, and honestly pretty easy to do. There are also plenty of recipes out there designed specifically for cooking over a campfire.
Use a Fan or Two
Image by Kirill_Savenko from Getty
Fans don’t use as much energy as your AC unit and can help move air around the inside of your RV, helping to keep you cool. I highly suggest having at least one fan in your RV if you don’t want to use your AC unit. It will help keep you comfortable, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep.
