Starling Travel

The Long Long Honeymoon had a wonderful experience camping in the snow. Here is the video they made about it.

I particularly like seeing how they back into the camping site. It looks so easy and efficient. I’ve seen hundreds of campers trying to back into their sites at campgrounds all over this nation and it is NEVER this easy and efficient. Either clever editing has occurred or they are SO used to camping life that it is down to a science for them.

Most of the time, a big camper like their Airstream would still be pulling in and out, inches at a time, while we hand roll our tent camper into its spot. We can get our little tent trailer into its spot, hooked up and set up before most big trailers can park. It’s a lot more heavy labor to do it than positioning a huge vehicle, but it certainly takes less time.

Last year, we camped in freezing weather that surprised the camping folks in Las Vegas and Arizona. The RV resort in Vegas was SO surprised that they didn’t turn off their water features, which froze solid overnight.

We were able to stay warm all night with two electric heaters, even though temperatures dipped down to the upper teens. It appears they were camping in the national park, however, so there are no electrical hookups to run electric heaters. They had to stock up on their propane.

The next time you feel trapped at home because it’s too cold to go camping, remember this. You can have an inexpensive and beautiful get-away as long as you’re willing to prepare for the cold.

When we went to visit Craters of the Moon a couple of weekends ago, we stayed at the Craters of the Moon KOA in Arco, ID. Arco was the first city in the world to be powered by atomic power and the nuclear plant that powered it is still there to this day (with MANY improvements, I’m sure). The city was so blissful that we were reluctant to leave. (Continue Reading…)

From the satellite view of the park, Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho looks like a scorched blotch on the earth.

And it is… (Continue Reading…)

On our drive to Mt. Hood, Oregon, we stopped in Boise to gas up the car. On the way back to the freeway, we noticed the huge plume of smoke coming from the RV park, so we went to investigate. We were horrified to see that a trailer was on fire in the RV park. The fire department was already on the scene, so we stayed a safe distance away and took some video footage.

In an instant, your vacation can go from happy to horrific. Here are some safety tips from RVTravel.com to keep this from happening to you.

• RVTravel.com – RV fire safety facts that could save your life

Here is a summary of their list:

• Check radiator and antifreeze hoses for leaks.

• Check fuel lines and connections for leaks.

• Regularly clean build up of grease, oil, and road dust on the engine.

• Check tires for inflation and brakes for leaking brake fluid.

• Damp charcoal (as well as rags soiled with car wax and other flammable liquids) can spontaneously combust.

• A hot exhaust pipe or catalytic converter can ignite dry grass.

• Shut the propane off at the tank while driving.

• Check the flue for birds nests before starting your refrigerator on propane.

• Keep flame, cigarettes, and sparks away from batteries and check them monthly.

• Check all 12-volt connections before and after every trip.

• Properly clean up any fuel leaks or spills immediately.

• Never leave a stove unattended or use it to heat your coach.

• Keep all towels, curtains and paper towels as far from the stove as possible.

• Develop an two escape plans (one in the front and one from the rear of the coach) before a fire occurs.

• Review with everyone the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” rule so they know what to do when clothing is on fire.

• Make sure everyone knows how to open the front door.

• Choose a meetup area outside of the trailer so everyone can be accounted for.

• Show everyone how to unhook electricity and how to close propane valves.

• Practice unhooking your tow vehicle as quickly as possible to avoid spreading the fire to other vehicles.

• You should have three fire extinguishers for your coach—one in the galley, one in the bedroom, and one outside of the coach in an unlocked compartment or in your tow vehicle. Inspect them monthly.

• Place a CO/Smoke Detector in the coach. Know what it sounds like and check it regularly.

• Save lives first and property second. Get yourself and your family to safety before attempting to extinguish a fire. Only if you can do so without endangering yourself or others should you use firefighting aids on hand.

• It’s crucial to know your location so firefighters can find you.

• If you have a quick-disconnect fitting on your water hookup, these hoses can be unhooked instantly to fight a fire. If a nearby coach is burning and you cannot move your coach but can safely stay close enough to keep it hosed down, you may be able to save your own vehicle.

Don’t let a RV fire happen to you. Take these safety tips from RVTravel.com seriously and make the necessary precautions.

For More Information:

• Camper’s Corner – RV Fire Safety