Podcast appearances and mentions of mike wendland

In the recent episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl of Insider Perks, a discussion unfolds about the RV industry with notable guests including Phil Ingrassia (President of RVDA), Eleanore Hamm (President of RVDA of Canada), Shane Devenish (Executive Director at CRVA), and special guest Mike Wendland from RV Lifestyle.Mike Wendland, with his extensive experience in the RV lifestyle, shares his journey from starting a blog to expanding into a comprehensive multi-platform presence. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to changes in audience behavior and platform algorithms, highlighting the need for content diversification. Wendland's perspective is particularly valuable, given his direct engagement with a broad RV audience through various digital channels.The conversation then shifts to the broader challenges facing the RV industry. One significant issue discussed is the quality of RVs, particularly those manufactured during the COVID-19 pandemic years (2020 and 2021). Wendland notes an improvement in quality post-2021 but maintains that quality remains a concern. This point underscores the industry's need to maintain high standards to ensure consumer satisfaction and industry growth.Another critical topic is the state of campgrounds, both private and public. The panel agrees that the quality of campgrounds plays a crucial role in the overall RV experience. Brian Searl acknowledges the existence of both good and bad campgrounds, indicating that the impression they leave on RVers can significantly impact the industry's perception.The discussion also delves into the challenges of RV servicing and the supply of parts. Eleanore Hamm from RVDA of Canada addresses the difficulty dealers face in finding enough qualified technicians. This shortage, coupled with supply chain issues, has led to extended repair times, affecting the overall RV experience. Phil Ingrassia adds that the industry is focusing on reducing repair event cycle times, a critical factor for customer satisfaction.Mike Wendland brings up the seasonal nature of the RV business, particularly in regions north of the Mason-Dixon line. He notes the challenges dealers face in maintaining staff for peak seasons and suggests that more publicity about employment opportunities as RV technicians could help alleviate some of these issues. He also mentions innovative training programs, including those reaching out to prisons, as a way to address the technician shortage.A significant part of the discussion revolves around attracting new demographics to the RV lifestyle. The panel recognizes the importance of engaging younger generations and urban dwellers, who might not traditionally consider RV activities. Wendland and others emphasize the need for early exposure to outdoor activities and the industry's efforts to make RVing more accessible and appealing.Shane Devenish highlights the importance of addressing current problems while also creating a pipeline for future RV buyers. This dual focus is essential for the long-term success of the industry, balancing immediate needs with strategic future planning.Mike Wendland also touches on the impact of remote work on the RV industry. He notes the improvement in campground internet access, which has facilitated remote work from RVs. Wendland suggests that advocating for remote work can help sustain and grow the RV industry, as it allows more people to integrate RVing into their lifestyles.In his closing remarks, Brian Searl reiterates the value of diverse perspectives in understanding and addressing the challenges facing the RV industry. He acknowledges his own strong opinions but emphasizes the importance of

A lot of people enjoy the lifestyle of traveling all the time. The RV lifestyle could be enticing but somehow overwhelming. Mike Wendland from the RV Lifestyle channel will help us understand how it's possible to travel the North American continent while making a comfortable living in it.  In today's podcast, Grant and Mike Wendland share his RV lifestyle, the adventures they have experienced, and how it all started for Mike's YouTube channel.   Mike's YouTube channel, RV Lifestyle started in 2012 together with his beautiful wife Jennifer Wendland. Mike and Jennifer are both journalists who started traveling as a hobby and made it their lifestyle. The RV Lifestyle has over 170K subscribers with more than 32 million total views. Check out the Episode Highlights03:21     How RV Lifestyle channel started05:23     Focus on your passion to find your niche09:42     The transition to RV Lifestyle across North America14:06     How YouTube shorts affected RV Lifestyle's content17:23     The workflow and employees behind the RV Lifestyle channel22:58     The advantage of hiring people for your channel32:25     How Mike's journalism background helps him with his channel37:05     How Mike reach out to Sponsors45:03     The next project for Mike48:58     Mike's advice and thoughts to content creatorsLinks/ Resources MentionedCheck out RV Lifestyle's WebsiteFollow RV Lifestyle's InstagramFollow RV Lifestyle's FacebookRV Lifestyle's YouTube channelSubscribe to the Video Creatr Youtube channelCheck out these awesome channels and gain more inspiration.Check out Grant and Augie's Channels below:Grant BallTreesicleAugie JohnstonVidchopsBaller Boot Camp

Grant Park Capital has made big moves in the community of Baltic including creating a housing development, only the third one in 60 years, and donating the land for a brand new high school. Hear from Brian Hefty, CEO of Hefty Seed Co, and Mike Wendland who have both been instrumental in these projects and in the community of Baltic throughout the years. Learn more about SMGA: https://www.siouxmetro.com/

What in the world does a RV Broker do anyway and why should I use one? Listen in to my interview with Mike on his show as we discuss these topics and many more (including spiffs)!

Many RVers wonder whether an Extended RV Warranty is worth the investment of protecting what already is the most expensive investment they will ever make besides their sticks and bricks home - the RV. The answer is dependent on a number of factors that we consider in Episode 344 of the RV Podcast. But for those who plan to keep their RV for many years, an extended RV warranty provides something hard to measure: The peace of mind of knowing that pretty much whatever happens, whenever it happens, they're covered. Listen to the entire podcast in the player below. Scroll to about 25 minutes in to hear the interview. And keep reading below for a transcript of the interview Here's a transcript of my Interview with Staci Ritchie Roman of Wholesale Warranties What is an Extended RV Warranty? Mike Wendland:           Well, joining us now to sort out this whole issue of extended RV warranties is our friend Staci Ritchie Roman from Wholesale Warranties. And Staci, first of all, welcome to the podcast. It's always great to have you on. I think you've been on, a couple years ago we had you. Staci Ritchie Roman:      Yeah, thank you so much for having us on again. Mike Wendland:           It's such a crazy time in the RV business. Let's start off with the real basic discussion. What is an extended RV warranty? Staci Ritchie Roman:      Sure. So what most of us know as an extended RV warranty is actually an RV extended service contract, and what it is, is a policy that will step in to pay for repairs to some of the most common mechanical failures your RV is going to face. And so that ranges, everything from a diesel engine down to a microwave, and pretty much everything mechanical and electrical in between. Do you need an Extended RV Warranty for a new RV? Mike Wendland:           Well, then what about when someone buys a new RV? Do they need an extended warranty for a new RV? Staci Ritchie Roman:      Yeah, so it kind of comes down to personal preference, but we'll tell you what we think. So your RV comes with a manufacturer's warranty and that definitely takes precedence. So if you have a manufacturer warranty, you're going to go there first. Those don't always cover everything, and things start to drop off after a couple of years. The great thing about an extended warranty is you can lock in several years of coverage all at once, and the best rate you're ever going to get, the best price you're ever going to get for an extended warranty, is when it's brand new because the extended warranty companies know that they're probably not going to be paying too many claims right off the bat. So the longest term, the best price you're ever going to get is to buy right when your rig is brand new. And there are some added benefits that come with the extended warranty that you'll be able to use as well, during that first year of manufacturer coverage. What are the added benefits of an Extended RV Warranty The most common times major breakdowns occur on an RV  Source: Wholesale Warranties Mike Wendland:           What are some of those added benefits that you can use? Staci Ritchie Roman:      Sure. So there are additional things like roadside assistance on some of the policies. So it kind of varies policy to policy, and so as a broker, we have several different options available, and that's something that you'll want to discuss with your warranty specialists. But some of these policies do come with added benefits and coverages that maybe the manufacturer coverage didn't come with, so appliances and things like that. Every rig is different, and the manufacturer warranties that come with them are different, as well. Mike Wendland:           And that leads me to a question. You talked about being a broker. When you buy a new RV, they try and get you to sign up right there at the dealership. Is that necessarily the best place to do it? Staci Ritchie Roman:      You know, you have options.

Roger Golden is eBike boondocking his way across the United States, living, in his words, "home free, not homeless." He has a great story and some boondocking tips we can all take to heart. Out on the road I recently met into Roger, a "home-free" American with a dream to travel around the USA and raise awareness for Ostomates through his nomad lifestyle. I met Roger in a park off US 98 in Fort Walton Beach, FL a few weeks ago. When I checked in with him tonight as I wrote this post, he was in Texas, still headed west. Roger is on an eBike boondocking cross country trip, towing a customized trailer with two solar panels Roger rides a converted 26" mountain/eBike, pulling a trailer that houses his 200 Watts of solar power and a place to store his gear. He doesn't travel alone though... his cat Phideaux comes along on every trip. Roger's store of ebike boondocking is featured in Episode 342 of the RV Podcast. You can hear the whole podcast in the player below. Or scroll down for a video version of the interview, and a transcript of our conversation You can learn more about Roger, and follow him as he continues his mission here: https://www.facebook.com/diginomad3  Here's my video interview: Here's an edited transcript of our interview: Roger's story of eBike boondocking Mike Wendland:           Meet Roger. He is on an e-bike and he is on his way across the country from Florida to California, boondocking all the way. He wants you to know that he is not homeless, he's home-free. Having sold off his sticks and bricks home, he is towing a small homemade trailer with solar panels that charge the battery for his e-bike, his laptop, and cell phone. He is not alone. He travels with a very cool cat and he is the ultimate boondocker who's doing this for the adventure, despite some very serious health issues. Roger:              This will be my second trip across the country. My first trip was from Washington state to Florida, now I'm going from Florida to California. In 2019 we went from Jackson... That was the first trip my cat was with me, we went from Jacksonville, Florida to Calais, Maine at the border, turned around, and came back. I got about as far as Washington DC and started having problems. Roger is doing this eBike boondocking adventure despite a major health challenge Mike Wendland:           Chest problems? Roger:              No intestinal problems. I got as far as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I couldn't do it anymore. I called a friend in Jacksonville to come pick me up. That's the first time I've ever had to give up on a trip. I got back down to Jacksonville and I had surgery and I woke up and there were intestines sticking out of my belly. They told me I had to give up my biking lifestyle.                         He said, "You can't do that anymore." I told him, "That's not an option. That's what I do." So here I am doing the impossible with a cat, 200 watts, a solar panel and electric bike. Mike Wendland:           I want to just look at this. I ask you because we see down here, in Florida, there's probably a lot of homeless people. I said, "Are you homeless?" You had a great phrase for it. Don't call him homeless! Roger:              I am home free. There's a difference between being homeless and home free. A lot of times homeless people are at the mercy of their environment. I'm experienced in my environment. For a lot of homeless people, they don't have a choice in the matter, it was something that happened to them. In my case, I gave it all up to get rid of all of the time that I waste to give money to somebody else. Mike Wendland:           What do you mean by that? Roger:              We spend most of the waking hours of our adult lives working so that we can give our money to somebody else. Mike Wendland:           Taxes. Roger:              Taxes. Mike Wendland:           Mortgages. Credit Cards? Roger:              Mortgages,

We have found the best weather app for RV travel. It takes the National Weather Service's weather forecast showing RVers the weather along their route at the time they reach each point. It allows comparison of different routes, creating stops, interactively changing departure time, and other features that help RVers plan trips around the weather. You can easily switch between routes, adjust your leave time, add stops - all so you can find the safest way with the best weather to get to your destination. Drive Weather is all about decision-making in regards to the weather. Like a pilot before taking off in an airplane and checking the expected weather en route, the app takes just a few seconds to get “briefed” on the safest route and safest time to leave. We interviewed the developer of this awesome app on Episode 350 of the RV Podcast. You can listen to the entire RV Podcast episode in the player below. Or keep scrolling down for an edited transcript of our interview. Best weather app for Rv travel? Here is the interview with Paxton Calvanese, the developer of the Drive Weather app: Mike Wendland:           Well, the developer of road trip weather, Paxton Calvanese joins us right now on the RV podcast phone line. And Paxton, you have a really neat app. I'm very impressed. Paxton Calvanese:        Thank you. Thank you. Mike Wendland:           Let's tell everybody a little bit about what it does and how it is different than the standard weather apps out there. Give us the 10th, you are a pilot, so this is an easy one for you. Give us the 10,000-foot overview of how it came to be and what this app does and why it's of particular interest to RVers. Paxton Calvanese:        Okay. I'll be happy to. So I'll tell you what it does right off the bat. It essentially shows you all the weather at each point of your routes when you would get there. And so, and that's kind of the heart of what it does. It presents the weather very clearly in a way that you can make a quick decision. And so going back to, I developed a pilot app a few years prior to this one where, and I'm a private pilot. And I'm in Chicago and I would fly up to the Rocky Mountains and in a small airplane, you're very susceptible to the weather. And actually, a lot of pilots end up in a lot of trouble and end up in fatal accidents because of the weather. And I didn't want to be one of those guys. So I would spend a lot of time evaluating the weather as it relates to flights. And with aviation weather, there's a lot to look at. And it would take me about 15 to 20 minutes to do a full weather planning before I would fly. And that's a lot of time. And it wasn't particularly difficult, but it was very tedious and time-consuming, and a lot of mathematics and a lot of opportunities for errors. And so I was a software developer for way too many years consulting in Chicago. And then I finally kind of got out of that and I was learning how to fly. And I kind of saw this opportunity where nobody had made this, put these, really put all the weather together in one app or one presentation. And so I did that and it worked pretty good. It basically took that 15-minute process down to like literally seconds, because I could just look at everything at once. And the app would calculate when I would be at each point in my trip. So, go ahead. Mike Wendland:           Yeah, so I'm leaving for a trip. And let's say, actually, I'm going to use this on a trip I'm doing myself. But let's say we, so we enter in where we are now, our current city where we want to go. Paxton Calvanese:        Yes. Mike Wendland:           And as I look at this app and then but we should tell everybody this app is for both Google and or for both Android and the iOS platforms. Paxton Calvanese:        Right. Mike Wendland:           And I look at it and then I plug in where I want to go. Paxton Calvanese:        Right.

Frustrated about how to get a camping reservation this summer? We can help with some insider tips on using campground reservation technology. We know. There are a lot of people trying to book camping reservations this summer. Demand has never been higher. It seems like the entire country - frustrated after a long year of COVID-19 travel restrictions - is anxious to hit the road in their RV and find the perfect camping spot. But campgrounds across America are reporting record demand. In the most popular destinations - around national parks, for instance - finding an open spot will not be as easy as it was pre-COVID. Mark Koep, the CEO of CampgroundViews.com, is our special guest on Episode #339 of the RV Podcast. He offers up lots of insider tips for us on how to get a camping reservation this summer. You can listen to the podcast in the player below. Or keep scrolling down for a video version - in which he demonstrates just how to use the Internet to get a camping reservation. There's also a full transcript of the interview, so keep reading! How to Get a Camping Reservation: Tips from Mark Koep First, here's a video of the interview in which Mark demonstrates how to get a camping reservation this summer:  Here's an edited transcript of the Interview: Mike Wendland:           To help us get into the right possible groove for finding those difficult-to-locate open campsites is our friend Mark Koep, of CampgroundViews.com. First of all. Hi Mark. How are ya? Mark Koep:                   Hey, Mike, doing good. How are you doing? Mike Wendland:          The camping season is here. People are out moving about and I thought, there's no one better suited to help us learn how to navigate the challenges of finding open reservations than my friend Mark Koep. So Mark, let's talk about your site for starters. I know we have a big surprise that we'll have coming up in a few minutes, but first of all, a lot of people are in the planning mode right now and they hear all these stories, "We can't find a spot. We can't find a spot." How can we help them with finding a spot? And maybe we can actually bring up your site and show them.  How to get a Camping Reservation: Get Creative Mark Koep:                   Yeah, Mike, it's going to be a busy camping season, flat out. We did a survey last week of 2000 campground owners. And 50% of them said that their advanced bookings are up significantly over average, everybody's just going camping. But Mike you've been camping long enough. I've been camping long enough to know that this is true. You can find a campsite anywhere you go as long as you're willing to travel a little bit to go do it. And the best example- Mike Wendland:           And do a little research. Mark Koep:                   Exactly.  Mike Wendland:            I'm looking at your site.  Walk us through. We see a map, what are we looking at? How to get a Camping Reservation: Widen your search area Mark Koep of CampgroundViews.com tells us how to get a camping reservation this summer Mark Koep:                   The first example I'm going to pull up is Yosemite Valley. And the reason I do this is that there are only four or five campgrounds on the Valley floor in Yosemite. And everybody will say Yosemite is full. But if you notice my default radius is set to 50 miles and Mike, how many campgrounds are there within 50 miles of Yellowstone National or Yosemite national park? Mike Wendland:           Probably 75, a hundred? Mark Koep:                   107 campgrounds within 50 miles of Yosemite Valley floor. So within that, you can figure the average campground has 60 sites in it. That means there are 6,000 campsites within 50 miles of Yosemite National Park. I guarantee you can find a campsite any night of the year, as long as you're willing to do a little bit of research and go find them. How to get a Camping Reservation: Alter your expectations ...

Here are 17 insider RV Campground tips to score and enjoy that perfect spot this summer. If you are a new RV owner on your maiden voyage you will want to pay particular attention! Our guest in this week's Episode 334 of the RV Podcast is a campground owner and she has some great info for both new RVers and veteran campers. Her candid suggestions are a great resource and you may want to bookmark this article or share it with a friend. She is Marcia Neese and, with her husband, Jim, she runs a brand new campground in a very popular location in North Carolina. The first thing we want to make clear in this article is that, just like it is a seller's market in the RV industry where the demand is so strong that new RVs take a year to 18 months to get, it is a renter's market in the campground industry, whether that recreational vehicle campground is a state park or any of the thousands of private RV parks across North America. RV Campgrounds are selling out very fast We have some RV Campground Tips for finding a place to camp this summer It makes no difference if you have a travel trailer, a Class B, C, or A motorhome, a fifth wheel, or even a pop-up, RV campgrounds are filled right now for most weekends and holidays during the summer months And down south or in the Southwest, it's already the same in the winter months of 2021-21. Your fellow campers may have already beaten you to getting an RV camp site. And that's true whether its with campgrounds in National Parks, State Parks or privately owned campgrounds. Don't panic, though, because we have RV tips that will help. Below is an edited transcript of our interview with Marcia. Although we talk a lot about those RVers who are on their first RV trip, her advice applies to everyone who enjoys RV life. So listen up! We are sure you'll find a great idea or two! Marcia and Jim of RiverWalk offer us lots of helpful RV campground tips Marcia and Jim Neese opened RiverWalk RV Park in Jonesville, N.C. on June 11, 2020, just as the rest of the world was literally shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To their surprise, even with social distancing and travel restrictions in many place, their 51-site campground on a wooded 11-acre site along the Yadkin River was completely booked every single weekend from the day they opened until even now. Here are highlights and tips from our conversation.  Mike Wendland:          Joining us now from North Carolina, from Jonesville on the beautiful Yadkin River, is Marcia Neese. She is the owner, with her husband, of the beautiful RV Riverwalk Park, the RiverWalk RV Park. I guess you're right between Jonesville and Elkin, right? Marcia Neese:              Yes, yeah. Hello, hello everyone. We are. It's a very fine line there. The river is the only thing separating us so we're just a couple of minutes from Elkin and located... The park is in Jonesville. Mike Wendland:          Now your park is described as a sort of "boutique" RV park. What does that mean in terms of the RV lifestyle? What is a boutique RV park? Marcia Neese:              Yeah, it is a different term as it relates to the RV lifestyle. My husband and I, we're always trying to think outside of the box. We're RVers and we've created our park for other RVers. As we were building it, we were trying to understand exactly where it fit in. Was it a premiere park? Was it a corporate-type park? We're on 11 acres. We have 51 spacious sites. And the area that we're in is very quaint and boutique-ish as well. We came up with that we're a boutique size park. We have just enough for everyone, but not too much to where you're overwhelmed when you come. I like to use the word quaint again, but we feel that we offer a quaint environment. Mike Wendland:          We'll talk a little bit about some of that in a couple of minutes, but the first thing is you opened this park right in the middle of the COVID shut down.

The best way to make normally yucky-tasting campground water taste good and run clear is by using an RV water filter system that fits inline, right between the water spigot and tour RV's after intake connection.  But note this: All inline RV water filter system inline cartridges are not alike! Here's a player to listen to the full podcast. The interview of the week segment about the RV water filter system is about 29:08 in.  This week on the RV Podcast, we learn about the new RV water filter system we are now using when we fill our RV fresh water tanks or when we connect to a campground spigot. It's from a company called Clear20 and this week on the RV Podcast we interview the company's CEO about a two-stage RV water filter system they sell that consists of an inline water filter and a the Dirtguard pre-filter device that takes out the sediment and particulates before they go through the inline filter. Together this RV water filter system transforms your inline water filter into a two-stage filtration approach.  This makes the water taste good and ensures that you have the cleanest possible water.  How is the bright green RV water filter system by Clear2o different than than the normal blue or gray inline filters you pick up from Walmart or a camping store? Three ways: Flitration medium, filtration efficiency and price. First off, let me note that I have no financial interest or sponsorship relationship with this company. I sought out the interview with the Clear2o CEO  after being fed up with bad-tasting campground water and doing some research that led me to get both the Clear20 inline filter and the Dirtguard pre-filter.   Both units sell for $34.95.  The Camco inline filters we had been using cost $17 or so on Amazon, or two for $30. So the Cler2o inline filter is about twice as much. The DirtGuard pre filter is $39. That's the price difference. The filtration medium difference is the way the water is filtered. The cheaper and more common inline RV water filter uses powdered charcoal. The Clear2o RV water filter system uses solid charcoal.  And that leads to the efficiency of the filtering. The cheap carbon powder filters screen out particulates and sediment down to about 20 microns. The solid Clear2o inline RV water filter system screens those particulates down to 1 micron. It makes the star cleaner, clearer and it taste better. See why I got this Clear2o RV water filter system? Here's a link to the Clear2o inline filter- https://amzn.to/2YEZ1JX Here's a link to the Clear2o DirtGuard pre-filter - https://amzn.to/3fywywn Here's a transcript of the interview I did for Episode 299 of the RV Podcast with Keith Bernard, CEO of Clear2o on what to now about an RV water filter system:   Mike Wendland:           Well, to find out more about an RV water filter system to make that RV drinking water taste a little better and be a little healthier, I'm excited to have on the other end of the phone Keith Bernard, he is the CEO of Clear20, and I just came across this process, this product really this week. I should tell you we have no commercial relationship with these guys. This is just a really cool product that I think will benefit us and hence you guys, too, out there in the listening audience. So first of all, welcome to the program, Keith, thanks for making time for us. Keith Bernard:              Thanks very much. I'm glad to be here. Mike Wendland:           Let's talk in general about an RV water filter system. I mentioned at the top of this, on how hard it was for us to drink the water that was coming out of the campground spigot. Even though I use one of those little inline filters, I always have one of those, it just didn't taste very good. So maybe you could help us all understand it. What are some of the issues involved with campground water from that little spigot that they provided at the campsite? Keith Bernard:              Yeah, absolutely. Well,

This week we interview the newly named CEO of Kampgrounds of America about the changing demographics of camping in America. Toby O’Rourke shares with us highlights of the company’s latest study and reveals that millennials now make up 35% of all the active campers in the U.S. She also talks about how her company is continuing to grow and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Plus an update from Mike and Jen on their new RV, their travel schedule for the next month and an off the beaten path report from the Burketts. Show Notes for Episode #234 March 20, 2019 of The RV Podcast: Mike and Jennifer talk about their recent activities and whereabouts This is a photo of us taken Monday, after signing on the dotted line and buying a 2019 Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX. We're giving it a shakedown trip now. RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK Two Canadian national parks install country's first electric vehicle charging stations Two Canadian national parks in British Columbia are the first in the country to install electric vehicle charging stations. Glacier National Park and Yoho National Park are both along the Trans-Canada Highway and are part of a national goal of improving electric travel.  Improvements to cell coverage debated at Grand Teton National Park: Would it take away from wilderness experience? The debate about whether to improve cell service at Grand Teton National Park was in the news last week. Proponents argue it would help retain workers and assist in emergencies, while those against say excellent cell service takes something away from the wilderness experience. Great whale watching opportunities along Oregon coast in upcoming week If you're planning to be anywhere near the Oregon coast between March 23-31, you might want to check out some of the many whale watching sites. The gray whales are making their way from Mexico to Alaska, and will be swimming by, and many special view sites are set up to see the giant mammals that week. Fire at Forest River factory in Elkhart, Indiana, leaves production of some towables in question A fire last week completely destroyed the factory in Elkhart, IN, where the Forest River Vibe and Vibe Extreme are built. Officials were still trying to determine what caused the blaze as of this writing, along with what will become of the towable trailers and jobs of those who built them.  This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes,an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping  RV INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK  This week we interview with Tony O’Rourke, the new CEO of Kampgrounds of America: Mike Wendland:           Well first of all, congratulations. Toby O'Rourke:             Thank you. Mike Wendland:           I think we first started interviewing you when you were doing marketing, digital marketing, and then of course President and now CEO President and the Chief everything of Kampgrounds of America. So congratulations Toby. Toby O'Rourke:             Thank you, I appreciate that. Mike Wendland:           You know one of the things that you do [inaudible 00:00:20] is you do the annual camping report every year. Toby O'Rourke:             We do. Mike Wendland:           And I know it's a little early, it hasn't been completed yet, but can you give us any sneak peaks of what the data is showing for 2019 compared to previous years? Toby O'Rourke:             Yeah, so now we've been doing the North American Camping Report for five years, which is great to look at it as a body of work that shows the trends over the past five years. And there's several key trends, things we've talked about before, but we definitely are seeing a lot of people camp, and people are camping more frequently. That's my favorite part of the data, is we're seeing 72% increase over these past five years in the amount of people that are camping at least 3 times a year,

Digital Nomad Mastery Podcast about Road Treking and The RV Podcast with Mike Wendland http://www.roadtreking.com/ https://www.facebook.com/mwendland Thank you for watching our video. GET EMAIL UPDATES on our website: http://www.DaddyBlogger.com LIKE us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/daddyblogger SUBSCRIBE to us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/tokyoricky FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tokyoricky

For the first time ever, investigative reporter Mike Wendland shares the story of his conversion. When one woman dares to send a letter to his television station quoting the Bible, his not-so-kind response sends him down a rabbit hole of transformation no one ever could have predicted. Don't miss this episode where Mike reveals what it's like to be a renowned, award-winning reporter (18 Emmy Awards) dealing with death, deceit and corruption on a daily basis.  He shares his thoughts on the state of the media today, what we as consumers can do to influence the media for good, and posits opportunities to develop media outlets created for and by Believers. Mike Wendland is the Family Motorcoach Association's Roving Reporter, author of the Open Mike Column in Motor Coaching Magazine, creator of daily inspirations at MikesDailySoap.com, and the NBC-TV Newschannel technology correspondent for all 215 NBC-TV stations. You can find Mike online at: Mike's Daily Soap:  http://mikesdailysoap.com Roadtreking Travel Blog:  http://roadtreking.com PC Mike Tech Blog:  http://pcmike.com What We Cover in This Episode: How Mike survived the “dark, egocentric world” of journalism. How God gives us passions and gifts that we can use in our careers and why you should do something you love. The media has been a mess, never as bad as now, and what you can do about it. How the darkness, evil and corruption of the world lead to cynicism, pride and using others as a means to your own end. The temptation of prizes, awards, honors and scooping the competition. Why he lied about reading the Bible. What happened when he decided to take a 12-week “Survey of the Old Testament” course with his wife (with the subtle intention to prove it wasn’t true). Why, as a believer, he could no longer “hold his head up” and remain part of the media. How he transitioned from telling terrible stories to telling “good” stories on his blog. What we should do as consumers of media today. Most reporters care about evil, corruptions and want to make a difference and to do good, but… How this generation of journalists has been taught to think a certain way and how that affects the presentation of the media today, often making evil look good and good appear evil. How to be aware of the mainstream media bias and anger and how to keep a balance by reading conservative media too. Why Mike would never, as a Christian, send his child to a public university. As consumers, what we can do to have a good, positive influence on the media today. The opportunity we all have to develop an alternate media that represents and preserves Christian values. How “Christianese” can be the most destructive language we’ve even heard and how to promote Christian values in ways others can understand and digest. What it means to be an “ipastor” running and “icampus”. Staying connected to God while you’re on the road. The funny thing Mike Huckabee does to serve in his church. Why it’s important to learn to do your own Bible study that is independent of anything else. How to use social media to challenge bad stories and point out good stories. How the song “Amazing Grace” saved a woman from death and led to the eventual conversion of her attacker. (After the end of the show during the “after party” so keep listening.) References: Jimmy Hoffa’s 1975 disappearance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Hoffa Walter Martin’s The Kingdom of Cults: http://amzn.to/2pVyGFU James Dobson’s Focus on the Family:  http://www.focusonthefamily.com Chuck Colson’s Born Again:  http://amzn.to/2pVzGJV C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, chapter 5 on Pride:  http://amzn.to/2qPlkeb Romans 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." (NIV) Wall Street Journal:  https://www.wsj.com/ New York Times:  https://www.

This week on WPblab we're at a new time 7-8pm Pacific and will be talking with David Blackmon about his Divi Chat podcast and how he used his show to build community around Divi page builder and Elegant Themes.David Blackmon – Divi Chat http://divi.chat/How to start a WordPress podcastStarted in a Facebook group, many folks helping one another in there talking about WordPress and DiviDecided to have a meetup and 15-20 people showed up from around the world!  Nick – founder of ElegantThemes – came down with his team and hung out as well.David had a great love for podcasts and saw the potential in it – great medium, easily consumable, a great marketing vehicle to get a message outWas originally going to start his own podcast, but when he met  up with a bunch of his online WordPress and Divi friends in person, he decided to start a show similar to WP Watercooler, but about the Divi platform  (Using YouTube Live – also uploads the audio to iTunes)Google Spreadsheet with topics listed for upcoming episodes – 30 to 90 days outGetting guests can be tricky, especially if you like to plan ahead – be prepared for cancellationshttp://roadtreking.com/category/podcasts/ – Mike Wendland (great example of a well put together podcast)His new show: wpthepodcast.comPodcasts are a great way to meet and get connected with the larger community, make new friends and network – often get recognized by your voice in a crowd!MacCast – Adam Christianson – has a very distinctive voice! Met many people because they recognized his voice from his podcast.Soundcloud is another good site to upload your podcast audio to and get greater reachSome very ‘Festive’ episodes with Google’s effects, ie. Party Hats etc. Had lots of laughs, but probably lost some of the audience in the audio version because they couldn’t see what was happening on screen – have to remember the audio audience when doing your podcastYouTube is great because it shows you the exact viewcount of who saw the video when it aired.  You can also see comments, interactions, and how much they saw of each episodeIf you aren’t doing closed captioning, you may miss out on some of the people trying to watch the podcast video  www.Rev.com – transcription, captions and translationsFacebook live is useful because it will alert people when something goes Live … people may not be looking for it, but it pops up and they go “Hey, I’m gonna watch this!”Know where your ‘community’ watches you from … if most of your people find you and watch you via facebook, focus your efforts there …. If most follow you and interact via YouTube, focus there insteadFacebook – comments matter – make sure you are engaging.  Not just liking.  “You have to use words to build relationships” – Bridget  … Sharing is important and helpful too, but it’s still not engagement – you still need to comment to build those relationships.If you genuinely want to build engagement on Facebook, you need to spend at least an hour a day commenting and replying to comments – furthering the conversation & relationship!www.yt2fb.com “Make your YouTube Video look BIG and AWESOME on Facebook” -makes YouTube videos look semi-native when posted to FacebookWhen you are starting a podcast, people are expecting perfection from the get-go … you should take some time to record “Episode Zero” – you know you are going to throw it away, but it gives you a chance to do a run through and feel out what works and what doesn’t and possibly shift direction if needed... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week on WPblab we're at a new time 7-8pm Pacific and will be talking with David Blackmon about his Divi Chat podcast and how he used his show to build community around Divi page builder and Elegant Themes.David Blackmon – Divi Chat http://divi.chat/How to start a WordPress podcastStarted in a Facebook group, many folks helping one another in there talking about WordPress and DiviDecided to have a meetup and 15-20 people showed up from around the world!  Nick – founder of ElegantThemes – came down with his team and hung out as well.David had a great love for podcasts and saw the potential in it – great medium, easily consumable, a great marketing vehicle to get a message outWas originally going to start his own podcast, but when he met  up with a bunch of his online WordPress and Divi friends in person, he decided to start a show similar to WP Watercooler, but about the Divi platform  (Using YouTube Live – also uploads the audio to iTunes)Google Spreadsheet with topics listed for upcoming episodes – 30 to 90 days outGetting guests can be tricky, especially if you like to plan ahead – be prepared for cancellationshttp://roadtreking.com/category/podcasts/ – Mike Wendland (great example of a well put together podcast)His new show: wpthepodcast.comPodcasts are a great way to meet and get connected with the larger community, make new friends and network – often get recognized by your voice in a crowd!MacCast – Adam Christianson – has a very distinctive voice! Met many people because they recognized his voice from his podcast.Soundcloud is another good site to upload your podcast audio to and get greater reachSome very ‘Festive’ episodes with Google’s effects, ie. Party Hats etc. Had lots of laughs, but probably lost some of the audience in the audio version because they couldn’t see what was happening on screen – have to remember the audio audience when doing your podcastYouTube is great because it shows you the exact viewcount of who saw the video when it aired.  You can also see comments, interactions, and how much they saw of each episodeIf you aren’t doing closed captioning, you may miss out on some of the people trying to watch the podcast video  www.Rev.com – transcription, captions and translationsFacebook live is useful because it will alert people when something goes Live … people may not be looking for it, but it pops up and they go “Hey, I’m gonna watch this!”Know where your ‘community’ watches you from … if most of your people find you and watch you via facebook, focus your efforts there …. If most follow you and interact via YouTube, focus there insteadFacebook – comments matter – make sure you are engaging.  Not just liking.  “You have to use words to build relationships” – Bridget  … Sharing is important and helpful too, but it’s still not engagement – you still need to comment to build those relationships.If you genuinely want to build engagement on Facebook, you need to spend at least an hour a day commenting and replying to comments – furthering the conversation & relationship!www.yt2fb.com “Make your YouTube Video look BIG and AWESOME on Facebook” -makes YouTube videos look semi-native when posted to FacebookWhen you are starting a podcast, people are expecting perfection from the get-go … you should take some time to record “Episode Zero” – you know you are going to throw it away, but it gives you a chance to do a run through and feel out what works and what doesn’t and possibly shift direction if neededhttp://wpmedia.pro/http://wpmedia.pro/the-10-commandments-of-podcasting-that-work/https://omnystudio.com/ On demand audio publishing platform –  podcast hosting and toolsEnhanced podcasts – post-production is about 30 minutes on averageDavid – cofounder Aspen Grove Studios http://www.aspengrovestudios.comThank you for helping us with the show notes this week:Cheryl LaPrade – @YayCheryl on TwitterSherie LaPrade – @HeySherie on TwitterThe post EP68 – Podcasting to build WordPress Community w/ David Blackmon appeared first on WPwatercooler. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we'll look at efforts to reintroduce grizzly bears to the north Cascades of Washington State. The plan may include some Canadian bears to help repopulate an area that has excellent habitat for bears. We'll also look way back into the earliest history of bison on the North American landscapes. With this summer looking to be the busiest ever, I'm promoting a new Rocky Mountain Pledge to help visitors enjoy the mountain landscapes in a safe and sensitive way. Finally, we'll look at the challenges of human use in designated wildlife corridors. Story 1 - North Cascades Grizzly Reintroduction The long history of grizzly bears has seen them removed from most of their historic range. Today they are limited to only the wildest of western landscapes. Once they ranged across most of western and northern Canada and south as far as Mexico. As people began to migrate westward, the grizzly bear was a natural competitor for many of the resources that these early pioneers sought. For this reason, like the buffalo, they were gradually wiped from the map of most of the United States and many areas of Canada. Like Banff is doing with bison, other landscapes are hoping to do with grizzly bears, in particular, the north Cascades ecosystem in northern Washington State. Like the south coast of British Columbia, grizzlies have been largely squeezed and hunted to the extent that there are only a few bears in this particular landscape. Today, there may be less than 10 bears wandering the north Cascades - a landscape that could easily support a few hundred bears. There is a growing movement to reintroduce grizzlies to the north Cascades. Now while we proudly boast about reintroducing buffalo, we need to realize that grizzlies ain't no buffalo. Compared to grizzlies, bison are a piece of cake. They are incredibly adaptable ecosystem engineers. Like beaver, they change the landscape to benefit their expansion. Grizzly bears are local specialists. You've heard me time and again talking about the importance of knowing the seasonal food preferences of bears in order to stay safe in bear country. Unfortunately, every bear population has a different list of seasonal foods. Bears in Banff have never tasted a salmon. Each bear must spend years with its mother learning how to survive in the landscape that it calls home. You can't just airlift a bear from one landscape and hope that it can survive in another - especially when it doesn't know what the locally available foods are. To be successful, the north Cascades need to find bears with a familiar palate, bears that are familiar enough with the local flora and fauna so that they will be able to adapt to a terrain largely devoid of competing bears. If you can find the right bear and put it into the perfect landscape, then you may have a winning combination. Wells Gray Provincial Park in southern British Columbia might be able to assist in such a reintroduction program. Its population was listed as 317 bears in 2012. The plan would involve removing just a few young bears to seed the reintroduction. Over the next five to ten years, 25 bears could be reintroduced from more than one seed population. The plan can only move forward if the local populations can sustain the loss of some of their young bears. Populations in decline or in a precarious balance, obviously would not be able to become donors. The north Cascades are in the midst of a huge public consultation at the moment…and even though this is taking place in the U.S., Canadian comments are also welcome - after all, Canadian bears are likely to be included in any successful reintroduction program. The public comment period is open until April 28, 2017.You can add your voice to the discussion here: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=327&projectID=44144&documentID=77025 The history of the north Cascade grizzly has been a difficult one. During the period of 1827 to 1859, 3,788 grizzly hides were loaded onto Hudson Bay Company ships from trading posts in the area. No bear population can survive such an onslaught. It would feel really great to help grizzly bears begin to march south again as opposed to having their range continually squeezed further to the north. What do you think? Story 2 - Bison vs wooly Mammoths Bison wandered the Canadian landscape for thousands of years. They helped to define the great plains as one of the chief ecological engineers helping to keep forests at bay and support huge populations of insects, and in turn, insect-eating birds. It's easy to toss out numbers like 'thousands', but just how many thousands of years? Just when did bison first appear on the North American landscape and how did their arrival impact the plants and animals that preceded them? New research by University of Alberta biologist Duane Froese and Professor Beth Shapiro of the US Santa Cruz Genomics institute have pushed those boundaries back by a factor of 10. Scientists have long debated the tenure of bison on the North American Landscape. Bison fossils from across the continent have often suggested different histories. One thing scientists do agree on is that the original migration of bison to the continent was from the north. This study looked at the oldest bison fossils known in order to try to narrow down the period in which they first thundered onto the North American landscape. It is still believed that they crossed the land bridge across the Bering Strait, but when? During ice ages, the bridge formed when ocean levels dropped due to great extents of water being locked up as ice. As glaciers shrank, so did the bridge disappear as rising ocean levels submerged its ephemeral passageway. By looking at the very oldest fossil sites in the Yukon Territories, they looked at the mitochondrial DNA found in these fossils. This DNA is usually inherited from the female and allows scientists to trace a long maternal lineage. This study pushes the tenure of bison back…way back to 130,000 years ago and possibly as far as 195,000 years. These were not the bison we know today but were the ancestors that would gradually become the bison that Banff is so proud to have reintroduced recently.  Bison would have taken the landscape by storm. They discovered a place already populated with wooly mammoths, camels, sabre tooth cats, and wild horses. Bison don't simply move in, they re-engineer the ecology of their adopted homes. Before long, they became one of the principal grazers of the Great Plains and were well-established thousands of years before the first humans set foot on the North American continent. Story 3 - The Rocky Mountain Pledge I was listening to the Roadtreking podcast recently and host Mike Wendland did a story about the Yellowstone Pledge. The story really struck a chord with me. As a naturalist and guide, I've watched and reported on, the challenges inherent in increasing numbers of visitors heading to the Canadian Rockies every year. When I heard about the Yellowstone Challenge, I thought, why not adopt a great idea and see if we could help it to adapt to a wider geographic area. So here's my pitch! Yellowstone, like the mountain west, has become number one Americans bucket list of travel destinations. Surprisingly, the same site that introduced me to the Yellowstone Challenge has a picture of Moraine Lake on their home page today with the headline: "Why Canada needs to be on your 2017 RV Travel Bucket List". Like Yellowstone, we run the risk of becoming a victim of our own success. 2017 is Canada's 150th birthday and we are all proud as a nation, especially during some of the turbulent times that are taking place in other parts of the world. As a Canadian, I'm very proud to showcase the Rockies to visitors every year. However, like Yellowstone, we struggle to create an atmosphere that will encourage visitors to feel the same way we do about the importance of keeping the wild in wildlife, and of protecting the landscapes that will be the focus of so many selfies in the upcoming months. Yellowstone developed the Yellowstone Pledge. It is a series of promises that it's asking visitors to take to help make sure that their visit will combine amazing experiences with minimal impact.  Let's jump right into it - here's my suggestion for the Rocky Mountain Pledge To be a steward and help protect myself and the park, I pledge to: Practice safe selfies by never approaching animals to take a picture. Park in designated areas and avoid blocking traffic. Make sure my actions do not add additional stress or danger to the wildlife I am lucky enough to view Stay with my car if I’m stuck in a wildlife jam. Follow speed limits and pull over to let cars pass. Travel safely in bear country by carrying bear spray, making noise, and hiking in groups. Keep my food away from animals. Recycle what I can and put my garbage in bear-proof containers. Report resource violations by calling 911 or talking to a member of the park staff.   You can read more about the Yellowstone Pledge by visiting: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/yellowstonepledge.htm Like any pledge, it's critical that we ALL take the pledge and share it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and our other social networks with the hashtag #RockyMountainPledge. Maybe we can help to create a movement that can translate to some of the many visitors that come to the mountains every summer. This year we will see record numbers of travelers that have never experienced a landscape like the one that surrounds us. Don't judge them by the looks of wonder that will be all over their face. Rather, we need to help educate them. Everyone in the mountains needs to be a part of the message this year. We need to spread the Rocky Mountain Pledge far and wide and help visitors to understand how these 9 simple pledges will help to ensure that their grandchildren's grandchildren will be able to share the same experience when Canada celebrates its 300th birthday. I for one will take the pledge…will you? Story 4 - Humans in the Corridors A recent study by Alberta Environment & Parks looked at current wildlife corridors in and around Canmore and they came up with some disturbing stats: humans represent 94% of the use of wildlife corridors. Researchers Melanie Percy and John Paczkowski collected 1.5 million images from wildlife cameras. These were broken down into 178,000 separate events and of those, wildlife accounted for barely 6%. Even more disturbingly, 56% of the total events included humans with dogs. Of those, 60% of the dogs were off-leash. Let me say that again…60% of the people with dogs in the designated wildlife corridors had those dogs off-leash. The town of Canmore works in conjunction with the province on wildlife corridors in and around the town and while they have developed some recommendations around wildlife corridors, clearly something has to be done. While wildlife are becoming more and more limited in their movements within the Bow Valley, these designated corridors need to be protected for their movement - and not for illegal off-leash dogs. For too long in the Canmore area, dog owners have rarely been charged for having their dogs off-leash. Perhaps utilizing wildlife cameras in known corridors can help file more charges against flagrant violations of laws relating to dogs on leashes. At the same time, we need to make sure these wildlife corridors are clearly marked so there can be no doubt when people begin to stray off designated trails and into wildlife corridors. Banff National Park has excellent signage where designated trails intersect with critical corridors. Great examples are along the Sulphur Mountain Road and around Johnson Lake. It is very difficult to 'accidentally' wander into closed areas and so it becomes much easier for Wardens to lay charges to violators. Banff also uses automated cameras for protecting sensitive sites like the restricted area around the middle hot spring along Sulphur Mountain Road. As developments like Silver tip, Three Sisters, and Smith Creek move forward, every corridor in this valley will become increasingly precious to animals trying to move through the area. The corridors in and around Canmore offer critical connections between Banff National Park to the west and Kananaskis Country to the east. Towns like Canmore become roadblocks to the movement of these animals. As humans, we tend to build towns at crossroads.  At Canmore, we have the confluence of numerous valleys offering access to Spray Valley Provincial Park, Wind Valley, Cougar Creek, Slogan Pass and others. We need to make sure that connecting corridors remain viable so that animals can continue to move freely within the valley.

For over 40 years Mike was one of the world’s most traveled journalist. He has won over 18 Emmy awards, honors from the Associated Press, he has reported all over the world and has a longtime running segment on NBC-TV since 1994 titled PC Mike which gets distributed to over 215 stations each week. 5 years ago he hit the road full-time with his wife Jennifer and started Roadtreking to document his travels across North America. As of today, it’s become one of the most popular RV blogs on the internet. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rve/message

This is the 100th episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast and in it, Mike and Jennifer reflect on what they've learned in putting the hour-long program together each week. Jennifer shares a secret – namely, that she didn't think it would last or be popular.  [spp-timestamp time="1:30"] As we look ahead to the next 100 episodes we feel very blessed in traveling North America by RV, seeing so much and meeting such interesting people. Click the player to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details and resources and click the player below to start listening. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Michgan Governor Honors Roadtreking Podcast Besides well-wishes from listeners, we were very honored to receive a special tribute from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. honoring us for the 100th Episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast. Here's an excerpt from  the document: "Through an informative and entertaining production, Mike and his wife Jennifer show the world the wit, wisdom and sense of adventure that many Michiganders share. Throughout history, our state's residents have led the nation in ingenuity, entrepreneurship and determination to succeed. With production of the 100th episode of Roadtreking, Mike has shown that steadfast commitment to success. "In special tribute, therefore, this document is signed and dedicated to Mike Wendland as a symbol of appreciation for his work in journalism, and on the Roadtreking podcast as a true representative of the Pure Michigan spirit." Signed, Rick Snyder Governor Jennifer and I were so honored to receive this and also want to thank Ari Adler, the governor's director of communication and a fellow Roadtreker, for making Gov. Snyder aware of the program. But to all of you who listen each week and have been so kind to us.... we are humbled and blessed that you choose to "put us in your ears" each week! JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK It's the time of year that stargazers have been waiting for: the Perseid meteor shower. On the night of August 11th and the morning of August 12th, hundreds of tiny meteors will dart through Earth's night sky, putting on a spectacular light show for late-night viewers. And those who stay up for the shower this year may be rewarded with a particularly special cosmic performance. Experts suspect there will be even more shooting stars than average in this year's shower. [spp-timestamp time="10:37"] If you want to catch the Perseid meteor shower, the best time to start watching is after midnight local time. If you aren't able to watch on the 11th, the shower may still be visible on the night of August 12th and the morning of the 13th. And remember, to see lights in the sky, you'll want to get away from lights on Earth. To learn more about the Perseids and other summer meteor showers, we'll ut a link to Space.com's Best Summer Meteor Showers Guide on our shownotes page at Roadtreking-dot-com-forward slash-100. The tip of the week is brought to you by Good Sam, the world's most popular RV organization, now celebrating its 50th year. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: We had two questions this week from listeners about the Roadtrek Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL, the RV Mike and Jennifer use.[spp-timestamp time="16:15"] David wanted to know if there was a way to increase counter space, something Mike and Jennifer discouraged because it would do away with what they think is extremely useful – the large pantry in the CS.[spp-timestamp time="17:08"] And Listener Daryl likes the idea of an undermounted air conditioner, as Mike and Jennifer have, but he is concerned about getting it serviced. [spp-timestamp time="21:14"] Mike and Jennifer note how the new undermounts from ProAir come on easy to access drawers that sort of drop down for easy access. And they share how impressed with were by ProAir, the maker of the undermount on their RV. In email this week,

I recently received an email from Mike Wendland that said… “I bought your equipment package, worked through many of your tutorials and have listened to most, if not all of the Podcast Answer Man episodes. I also follow the Pursuing a Balanced Life podcast. I wanted to write you and let you know that my […] I have other podcasts that might be of interest to you. See my list of shows at http://CliffRavenscraft.com/podcast Let's Work Together! Would you like to connect with me through one-on-one coaching or through one of my paid mastermind groups? If so, visit my WORK WITH ME PAGE and submit an application today.

With the peak summer travel season behind us, thoughts for many begin to turn toward snowbird season. But RVing for an extended period so far from home during the long winter months isn't all sun and sand, especially if you don't prepare properly. Take it from Tim and Carol Mallon, the couple from Canada behind the Snowbird Tails from the Trail blog at  http://snowbirdtailsfromthetrails.blogspot.com/ Tim and Carol Mallon The duo knows how to snowbird right and join Roadtreking's Mike Wendland for episode 53 of the Roadtreking podcast to give you everything you need to know about being an RVing snowbird. Among other things, they discuss: How to mark out a route for snowbirding How to set a snowbirding budget How boondocking can save money Stretching your food budget by eating local and fresh food Why preparing your own food is not only financially sound but is good for you You should treat yourselves to night out and a movie Take advantage of local museums and parks Spend your first season finding the region of the country you like the best Also in this episode, we have all the regular features including listener feedback and questions, Jennifer's Tip of the Week, an amazing RV bucket destination, and a lot more. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #53 Sept. 16, 2015 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Checking in from Florida's Emerald Coast Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show talking about their busy week that COULD include a trip to America's Largest RV Show - or Jennifer sitting in a courthouse. They also talk about how a pothole slowed them down during their most recent trip. [spp-timestamp time="2:42"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Go Gear Pop-up Trash Can Jennifer's Tip of the Week this week centers on one of the least expensive, yet most handy accessories an RV can have: a pop-up trash bag. For just $9 on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1M6YovE) you will get the perfect trash bag made of nylon and easily washable. We put it behind the driver's seat and find it's a perfect spot for it. [spp-timestamp time="10:09"] Listener Question: What Can You Tell Me About Alternative RV Power Systems? A listener named Julian from Iowa asks about alternative RV power systems, specifically, the Tesla Powerwall, a residential home system that charges using power generated from energy collected and stored by solar panels or taken from the old-fashioned electricity grid during off-peak hours (when rates are lower). Mike offers that RV technology is more complicated and has already moved far beyond the Tesla system. He further refers to a Roadtreking podcast from earlier this year on the subject of unplugged RVing at: roadtreking.com/41 [spp-timestamp time="11:59"] Listener Feedback: Geocaching and RVing is Great! Julian also shares his enthusiasm for geocaching, which was the subject of a recent Roadtreking blog post that can be found at https://rvlifestyle.com/great-hobby-for-rvers-geocaching/ Listener Question: Vandals Broke My Roadtrek Window. How Can I Fix It? A listener named Carol shares that someone vandalized her Roadtrek Popular 210 RV and broke out a window. She needs help repairing it and Mike offers some suggestions, including possibly heading to her local dealers, Intermountain RV Sales in Colorado Springs, Colorado at http://www.intermountaincoach.com/ [spp-timestamp time="17:54"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. They've been in the RV business for 45 years and nobody knows more about small motorhomes that the Van City  crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV,

The great thing about living the RV lifestyle is the freedom it affords - and that includes the freedom to hit the open road alone. It's a trend that is growing. Take Sherry Targum, president, Roadtrek International chapter of the Family Motorcoach Association. She decided long ago to hit the road alone (well, she had some cats, too) and hasn't looked back. She joins Mike Wendland for episode 46 of the Roadtreking podcast to share what she has learned about successfully solo RVing. Among other things, they discuss: The joys of solo RVing If RVers need to do anything differently than when traveling with a partner How to get used to traveling alone How to travel safely when solo RVing The many ways to still be social while solo RVing Also in this episode, Jennifer's Tip of the Week on storage, listener questions about solar panels and other RV parts, RV news, an RV destination in Colorado you need on your bucket list, and a lot more! [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #46 July 29, 2015, of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Thank You For the Support Jennifer and Mike open the show by talking about the loss of Tai, their dog who died last week as a result of complications caused by a serious medical condition, and thanking everyone for the tremendously overwhelming support received in light of the sad news. [spp-timestamp time="2:59"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Simple Storage Solution In our RV, we have one simple rule. A place for everything, and everything has a place. So this week, I want to share that “place” with you, specifically, a very inexpensive and handy storage solution for miscellaneous things in form of a self-adhering mesh net storage organizer. http://amzn.to/1KvbPri We have several of these in our RV. They are made of nylon and about seven inches wide, by five inches high. They attach to any solid service with special double-sided adhesive tape, so you don't have to drill a hole. They stretch and we use them to hold items such as cell phones, chargers, keys, medicines, maps, and notebooks. They only cost $5.89 on Amazon and we have three of them in various places in our Roadtrek RV. One by my side of the bed, one by Mike's and one on the galley wall. [spp-timestamp time="5:23"] Listener Question: How Tough are Solar Panels? A listener who is considering buying an RV has several questions, but his main inquiry is with regards to solar panels and specifically, how durable they are and how they function when forced to deal with everything from hail and snow to rocks. Jennifer and Mike address the questions and provide details about how today's solar panels are able to withstand being pushed to extreme limits. [spp-timestamp time="6:42"] Listener Question: How Can I Find RV Parts for My Roadtrek? Another Roadtreking listener asks about finding a place to find RV parts for his Roadtrek near him in Houston. We share how to find Roadtrek dealers across North America at http://roadtrek.com/locators. In Houston, Mike recommends DeMontrond RV, 14101 North Freeway, Houston, Texas, or Camping World of Houston. [spp-timestamp time="14:32"] Listener Question: Can You Tell Me About Registering My RV in Another State? And listener Gwen Harris - who sings a special song she wrote just for Roadtreking - asks about the benefits of registering an RV in another state. Mike gives an explanation and refers to a story he did previously on the subject at https://rvlifestyle.com/montana-llc-titling-rv/ [spp-timestamp time="15:42"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dean of Class B RVs. Nobody knows more about small motorhomes that Ray and his crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse ...

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in making sure our RVs are in tip-top shape before hitting the road that thinking about our own health care once we're actually on the road falls by the wayside. That is, until it's too late. That's why for this episode of the Roadtreking podcast, we talk with expert Margo Armstrong, blogger at MovingOnWithMargo.com and author of "Healthcare and the RV Lifestyle." Margo and Mike talk tips for on-the-road health care in a discussion that aims to at the very least get you thinking about healthcare before you get on the road - and at the very most could help avoid a serious health disaster. Among other things, they talk about: What kind of medical records you should keep and be carrying while RVing? How to find good health care on the road What kind of research you can do online to find the right health care Why it really matters what, where, and when you eat How keeping an up-to-date calendar can help keep you healthy A test that all RVers should have have How to handle medications on the road Also in this episode of Roadtreking, we talk about a beer-drinking bear (an old story), an expansion of a beautiful campground in Florida, a new feature from Jennifer, listener questions about solar power, a traveling tech tip to make managing streaming media easier, an off the beaten path report from Colorado, and more! [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #45 July 22, 2015, of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Camco Adjustable Broom and Dustpan This new feature for the Roadtreking podcast will feature a weekly tip from Mike Wendland's wife (and lifelong travelling companion), Jennifer. Sometimes Jennifer will just pass along something she's learned or seen that makes the RV lifestyle a little more fun or easy. Sometimes it might be a recipe. Or sometimes, like in this episode, Jennifer will talk about a product or accessory that other RVers may benefit from. Today's product is the Camco Adjustable Broom and Dustpan - http://amzn.to/1OuXKca [spp-timestamp time="2:58"] Listener Question: Should We Believe the Hype Over Solar Power for RVing? Listener Johnna asks about about growing use of solar power in RVing. Mike and Jennifer respond by talking about solar power for RVing, including how big the market is now and what is driving its growth. [spp-timestamp time="5:28"] Listener Question: How Long can You Run Your Air Conditioning and Refrigerator? Another Roadtreking listener asks about running the air conditioner and the refrigerator, specifically how long both can run together. [spp-timestamp time="13:38"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dean of Class B RVs. Nobody knows more about small motorhomes that Ray and his crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV, you can take delivery and set out for home. Dan the Van Man gives the week's specials on the podcast. [spp-player] RV News of the Week: Beer Bear, Florida RV Park Expands, Forest River Hit with $35M Fine Beer-Guzzling Black Bear: Another story about bears that is funny, but also illustrates the need to keep food (and beer) locked away when camping in bear country - and also that taste and beer brand loyalty isn't just a human trait. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="20:09"] Please note, NBC and the Associated Press ran this story this week. Turns out, it is an old story, first published in 2004. It wasn't corrected until after we had recorded the podcast. Still... it's pretty funny.

For many, RVing, camping, and campfires go together like graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, but there is growing concern that the fires may be getting out of control - even when safely confined to a fire pit. Most recently, for example, Chuck Woodbury, founder and publisher, RV Travel, opined that it's time for some campgrounds to establish so-called "No Campfire Zones." He wrote his editorial, of course, after spending a few nights at a packed KOA where his neighbor's fire pit was less than 10 feet from his RV. Chuck joins the Roadtreking podcast this week to discuss the subject of campfires with Mike, where they talk about the idea of having campfire bans in certain situations. [spp-timestamp time="41:14"] Also in this episode, we talk finding travel companions, how to screen campgrounds, and what happens when you become ill on the road along with RV news this week, tech tips, a destination of the week and more. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #44 July 15, 2015, of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Back from Maine, Checking In From Home The show begins with Jennifer and Mike Wendland bringing you up to speed on their recent travels and where they are headed next. [spp-timestamp time="3:01"] Listener Question: How Can I Find an RV Travel Companion? Listener Bobbi asks about finding someone travel with in an RV. Mike suggests it is, in fact, better to travel with someone. Jennifer and Mike offer several links for connecting with others looking for RV travel companions, including: TripTogether.com is a site for those looking to travel with others in general. Women on the Road is another site for women travelers who are looking for and prefer female traveling companions. Sisters on the Fly - an organization featured in episode 37 of the Roadtreking podcast - is a group of women who RV together and live by three rules while RVing: no men, no kids, no dogs. Roadtreking International Chapter of the Family Motorcoach Association has a group of Roadtrek Solo Trekkers that also may be worth checking out. [spp-timestamp time="4:16"] Listener Question: Can You Help Me Find More Campground Reviews? A listener asks about finding good campgrounds to find out what others have to say about them, though cautions against visiting someplace based strictly on reviews. Mike shares some resources like: AllStays: This is Mike's favorite with more than 29,0000 campgrounds - from independent and KOA to local county and city parks. RV Park Reviews: A great website that includes a clickable map and allows for searching by state Yelp: Just search for campgrounds near a specific location and a lot of great info and reviews will pop up Roadtreking.com: Go to the Roadtreking homepage and simply do a search for "campgrounds" [spp-timestamp time="8:11"] Listener Question: What If I Get Sick While RVing Far From Home? A listener asks about getting sick on the road and what happens when far from home. Jennifer shares some insight based on her recent experiences, noting that good care is easy to find. [spp-timestamp time="15:16"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dean of Class B RVs. Nobody knows more about small motorhomes that Ray and his crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV, you can take delivery and set out for home. Dan the Van Man gives the week's specials on the podcast. [spp-player] RV News of the Week: Campsite Hoarder, Minnesota Storms, Roadtrek's New Power System

For many, it's important to stay connected - even when we are in our RV in the middle of nowhere and there is no WiFi or a phone signal to take us online. Enter satellite Internet. It allows you to stay connected from just about anywhere you have access to the sky - with a catch or two that you need to consider. In this episode, Mike Wendland talks about the new satellite Internet system he has with the Zenmaster of full-time RVing - Campskunk. Among other things, Mike and Campskunk talk about: What is involved in getting a satellite system for the Internet for an RV If satellite Internet is easy to set up and use If satellite Internet delivers the same speed you get with a home network What doesn't work well with satellite Internet The costs of satellite Internet equipment How much access to monthly satellite Internet services can cost For photos and more how-to info on how we hooked up my system. go to https://rvlifestyle.com/adding-satellite-internet-to-an-rv/ Also in this episode, Mike is joined by his wife, Jennifer, to answer listener questions, he talks about Acadia National Park in Maine and why it should be on your RV bucket destination list, tells you about three great apps to edit photos on your smartphone or tablet, and a lot more! [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #43 July 8, 2015, of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Checking In From Maine The show begins with Jennifer and Mike Wendland checking in from Rockport, Maine, with an update on their current trip and a preview of things to come for the rest of the episode. [spp-timestamp time="2:10"] Listener Question: How Can I Find Parts for My RV Awning? Listener Bob asks about his RV awning and how to find parts for it. With not a ton of details to go on, Mike provides some possible ways to find the parts. [spp-timestamp time="5:34"] Listener Question: What Can You Tell Me About Battery Life in a Small RV? Listener Terry says she is considering purchase of a Roadtrek Zion and has a question about battery life. [spp-timestamp time="8:30"] Listener Question: Does My Refrigerator Always Have to Be Perfectly Level? Listener Marty asks about the importance of keeping a refrigerator level while RVing in his new unit, like when stopping for shopping or dinner. It used to be critical on older units. But most new RVs, being perfectly level is no longer a requirement. [spp-timestamp time="10:53"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dean of Class B RVs. Nobody knows more about small motorhomes that Ray and his crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV, you can take delivery and set out for home. Dan the Van Man gives the week's specials on the podcast. [spp-player] RV News of the Week: Maine National Park Battle, Two RV-Related Deaths Voters Block Proposed 150,000-Acre Park in Maine: Controversy over a proposed national park in Maine's North Woods continues after voters in adjoining communities rejected referendums that would have been a major step in creating the 150,000-acre park. Those in favor said it would have provided a much-needed boost to the area's economy, while those opposed don't like the idea of so much involvement from the federal government in managing what happens in their area. Proponents say the votes are a setback, but that the issue is not quite dead. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="17:34"] Woman Dies After RV Runs Her Over: A woman was hit and died while helping direct a Type A RV driven by her husband into a truck s...

In this episode we talk about what you need to know about boondocking in your RV. [spp-player] Live from the "Roadtreking Montana Boondocking in the Beartooth Mountains Photo Safari," we discuss the ins and outs of RV boondocking. We interview RT Campskunk, the Zenmaster of RV boondocking, who tells us the lessons he's learned from six months of fluttering in a small Class B motorhome, most of it off the grid in wilderness areas. Among other things, he talks about: Black and grey water management Battery conservation Camping in the wilderness Wildlife precautions How important it is to keep a clean campsite [spp-player] Answering a listener question, Mike and Campskunk talk about their experience of test piloting a revolutionary power system for RVs that utilizes lithium batteries. Mike also interviews a recently retired couple who sold their house one day and the next, took off on what will be a multiyear full-time RV lifestyle. And in the Bucket List destination of the week, Mike is joined by award winning photographer Merv Coleman to discuss the amazing natural beauty and RV friendly community of Red Lodge, Montana [spp-player] Please Subscribe and Give Us a Rating and Review! Many listeners are asking how they can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page > From there (see photo above), you can… 1) Subscribe 2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much. 3) Leave a written review. Thanks to all for the kind reviews we've received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review! And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words. [spp-player]

In this episode of The Functional Medicine Radio Show, Dr. Carri's special guest Mike Wendland talks about his health journey from ‘supersize me' to ‘super healthy me'. Mike has no involvement in healthcare whatsoever – he's just a regular guy who decided to take control of his health! Actually, he's a longtime media guy and […] The post From Super Size Me to Super Healthy Me with Mike Wendland appeared first on The Functional Medicine Radio Show With Dr. Carri.

In this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast I share tips on how to camp all-year-round. It's easier than you think! Plus, lots of RV news and traveling tips to make your RV adventures more enjoyable. [spp-player] Shownotes for episode 17 of Roadtreking the RV Podcast I start out by recapping our recent trip to Florida and a shakedown cruise for our new RV - a 2015 Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL RV Shows This Month Then we recap the big RV shows that will be happing in various parts of the country over the next couple of weeks, including: The Florida RV Supershow in Tampa , Fla., Jan. 14-18 The Grand Rapids RV Show, in Grand Rapids Mich., Jan. 15-18 The St. Louis RV Show in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 29-Feb 1 When is the Best Time to Buy an RV? Need help in making up your mind to buy an RV? Listen to Roadtrek Motorhome President Jim Hammill share his Yardstick Lifeline illustration on when to take the plunge. No Drones on in National Parks I share U. S. Park Service rules on flying drones on National Park properties, why they are prohibited and why he took down drone video of his recent visit to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Here's a news release about the problem. Working From an RV on the Road In the Question of the Week, I answer a listener question on working from the road in a camper van. I use Verizon Wireless and a Mi-Fi card for Internet connectivity. Traveling Tech Tip of the Week Smart Receipts -  With this app I just gather up my receipts, take a photo of them with my smartphone, entering the details and everything is totaled and categorized. I have copies of every receipt electronically stored and safe and secure and I can then print out a report covering whatever time period I want that can be stored on a computer or emailed. It's great for expense reports for work. No more piles of papers and shoeboxes. Also, it keeps track of mileage rates. Best of all, the Smart Receipts app is free and works with all Apple and Android devices. Off the Beaten Path - Boondocking in Oregon In the Off the Beaten Path report, Campkunk shares an amazing place he calls Lupine Meadows in the wilderness near Hood Rover, Ore. The GPS coordinates are45.3.221 N, 121.635.6 W RV Destination of the Week The RV Destination of the week is Tahquamenon Falls, in Michigan's UP, where Roadtreking Reporter Yan Seimer and I  will be hosting a winter campout Jan 23-25. If you're thinking about trying this, I got some insight and winter camping tips from RV technician Hank Nuiiver. Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page > From there (see photo above), you can... 1) Subscribe 2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much. 3) Leave a written review. Thanks to all for the kind reviews we've received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review! And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

Mike Wendeland is a trained journalist who in 2012, bought a recreation vehicle or motor home, and while on the road, began covering the beat of the people and experiences they found along the way on his blog, RoadTreking.com. Mike used to be a traveling journalist for the Detroit News and his curiosity as a reporter has carried over into his retirement, which he’s not taking lying down — but instead, on the road — in his RV, a mobile new media studio, from which he blogs and podcasts on his new show, Roadtreking: The RV Podcast. As a result of this new project, Mike has attracted an enormous audience of RV enthusiasts to help perpetuate his travels, and who he now inspires to follow in his very unique footsteps. Explore further: Roadtreking.com @roadtreking on Twitter Credits Music credit: Intrepid Journey, by Aaron Static Become a Friend of the Show: Please subscribe and review! It just takes a second and you can help the show increase its rankings on iTunes just by this simple and quick gesture. We’d be grateful for a review. Leave one here. If you do, click here to let me know so I can personally thank you! Your Feedback If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see or a question about an upcoming episode, email me! I’d love to hear from you. Thank you so much for your support! The post 165: Finding the Right Questions with Mike Wendland appeared first on The Daily Travel Podcast.

We continue our special coverage of the 2014 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, KY with a series of interviews and reports about the latest trends in the RV industry. In Episode 12 we learn a lot about the Class B motorhome market, and get a special one-on-one your of the new Leisure Travel Vans B+ models by none other than Dean Corrigal, who has developed a loyal following for his very enthusiastic videos about the LTV motorhome lineup. We hear from Roadtrek Motorhome experts Joe "Roadtrek Joe" Morales and Billy Cochrane who shed some insight into the booming B market. And, of course, we answer your questions and much more. [spp-player] Covered in Episode 012 of the podcast: LISTENER QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Jerry Yeatts (left) and FMCA representatives heling answer RV questions at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, KY A listener asked how to find people to travel to Alaska with this year. We referred the question to Jerry Yeatts, the executive director of the Family Motor Coach Association, who told us about various trips and tours scheduled for next year, including a big Alaska trip Fantasy hosts exciting member-only tours to some of the most sought-after vacation destinations. Each tour is professionally planned and includes many organized activities and events. Guests simply show up, take in the sights and enjoy the experience ... all in the company of fellow RVers. NEWS OF THE WEEK The RV owner demographics are changing. To get a handle on the new breed of RVers, we talked to Billy Cochrane, a regional manager for Roadtrek Motorhomes. Billy says new RV buyers are entering the marketplace demanding more hand-on exploration and adventure. He described some of his favorite trips off the beaten pathway. Among them: National Voting Rights Museum in Sela, AL The Mississippi River scale model in Memphis, TN The Birthplace of country music in Bristol TN The Galax Fddlers Convention in VA Sun Record Studios , Memphis TN "Roadtrek Joe" Morales MORE INTERVIEWS: “Roadtrek Joe” Morales Joe takes many of the “beauty shot” photos of Roadtrek Motorhomes  seen at Roadtrek.com  I asked and he shared the three elements that make for a great RV photo. Joe answers the "Ask Roadtrek" area of the Roadtreking blog forum. Then we talked about a Class B motorhome: •    What it is •    How many miles a Class B is often are driven •    How Class B RVs hold their value Next, we met Dean Corrigal of Leisure Travel Vans Dean talks about: •    What is a Type B+ RV? •    The features of a Type B+ RV •    The major differences between a Type B and a B+ RV •    Mileage that can be expected with a Type B+ RV •    Trends and demographics of Type B and Type B+ RVs Here's a video of Dean as he gave us a tour of some of Leisure Travel Van's B+ units: Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page > From there (see photo above), you can... 1) Subscribe 2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much. 3) Leave a written review. Thanks to all for the kind reviews we've received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review! And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right si...

There's a new motorhome on the Class B market, with one of the lowest MSRP pricetags on the market. This podcast is from the 2014 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. This is where all the 2015 RVs, travel trailers, pop-ups and RV accessories are introduced to the industry and RV press. It is not open to the public, but we were there to report on the latest in RVs, starting with the unveiling of the the brand new Roadtrek Zion, a new model built on the Dodge ProMaster chassis. [spp-player]   In this episode, I interview Roadtrek Motorhome President Jim Hammill, who talked about: The Zion dimensions The Zion's solar power and engine generator The 50 cubic feet of storage The price of the new unit It's production schedule and availability Here's a video I did of the interview I did with Jim Hammill, as Jennifer checked out the more than 50 cubic feet of cabinet storage in the Zion. I also interviewed Steve Fretz, from Fretz RV in Pennsylvania, one of the nation's biggest dealers. Steve talked about: Industry trends Changing RV demographics Why Class B RVs are so popular The new technology in RVs All this  was was from Day One. I'll be covering the show all week. Please listen to the podcast for complete info. Here are the stats for the Roadtrek Zion, from the official Product Review sheet handed out by Roadtrek at the show: Exterior length - 20'11" Exterior width - 6' 11" Interior aisle width - 29" Exterior height - 9' 5" Interior standing height - 6' 2" Wheelbase - 159" Gross vehicle weight rating - 9,350 pounds Occupant and cargo carrying capacity - 1,250 pounds Gross combined weight rating - 11,500 pounds Fuel type - Gas 24 US gal Fresh water capacity - 35 US gal Black holding tank capacity - 19 US gal Gray holding tank capacity - 20 US gal Rear king sleeping max width and length - 74'"x 76" Here are some photos I snapped Roadtrek's display at the 2014 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, with the new Zion shown on the right     Front view of the Zion Looking forward at the Zion, from rear doors. The king sized bed expands sideways to fill up the space Lots of storage in the Zion   More storage The Zion has a full bath A side view of the Zion Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page > From there (see photo above), you can... 1) Subscribe 2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much. 3) Leave a written review. Thanks to all for the kind reviews we've received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review! And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

Day two of coverage from the 2014 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. looks at "E-Treknology" and the way it is revolutionizing RV travel.  Plus, we expose the biggest secret in the RV world -- how Park units are becoming a hot new trend of "camping without a camper." Jennifer and I are in Louisville and in our continuing coverage of the National RV Trade show, we interview a slew of experts for inside info on the trends that will be shaping your RV travel for months to come Here are the shownotes from Episode 11 of Roadtreking the Podcast: [spp-player] After answering a reader question about credit card security while on the road, they tap into the latest in RV trends by interviewing Bill Sheffer, of the Michigan Association of Recreational Vehicles and Campsites, one of the largest and mst influential such groups in the county. Sheffer tells us: Why RV sales are continuing to boom The latest trends he's seeing in RV demographics Why so-called "Park Units" may be the next big trend in RVs. The control console on the Roadtrek TS Adventurous is one example of "E-Treknology" My next interview is with Yan Seiner, a Roadtreking Reporter on the Roadtreking.com RV Travel blog and an engineer at Roadtrek Motorhomes. Yan explain how "E-Treknology "is finding its way into the Class B small motorhome market, the evolution of electronic and green energy systems first introduced in Roadtrek's Etrek model two years ago. Seiner explains: How power management systems in modern motorhomes now involve sophisticated systems like solor power, engine generators and on-board high tech monitoring systems. How an iPad or Android tablet or a smartphone can now remotely control and monitor critical RV energy, lighting, security and comfort featur And finally, I interview RV industry veterans Bob Zagami… John DiPietro RV Insights, who discuss: The use of Park models for extended stay camping, sometimes called Destination Camping A Park model offers 400 square feet of living. It's classified as an RV because it was on wheels. Lots of different companies are now selling them and campgrounds are setting up special areas for them How you can get two of them for price of a used motorhome, one for up north in the summer, one in the south for wintertime Why RVing is experiencing a huge resurgence because it connects people to places and each other Younger families are rapidly becoming a major demographic Cabin and “yurt” rentals are the biggest income producers for many campgrounds these days, “camping without a camper.” We'll be back with another bonus episode of the podcast tomorrow as Day Three of the National RV Trade Show ends. Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page > From there (see photo above), you can... 1) Subscribe 2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much. 3) Leave a written review. Thanks to all for the kind reviews we've received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review! And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

RVers sure have a lot of questions. We answer a bunch of them in this edition of the podcast. When it comes to technology questions, nobody answers them better than Jim and Chris Guld, the Geeks on Tour, a husband-wife team who travel full-time across North America giving technology seminars to RVers and rallies and campground gatherings all year long. You'll hear them in our featured interview this week. Plus we have a great tech gadget to recommend, an especially beautiful bucket list destination of the week, and news and reader feedback [spp-player]   Here are the shownotes from Episode 9 of Roadtreking: The RV Podcast This episode released on Thanksgiving week 2014 and we have Thanksgiving greetings from our team of Roadtreking Reporters, the great group of talented RVers who join me in blogging on the Roadtreking.com website. TRAVELING TECH TIP: The Mophie The Mophie Powerstation Duo External 12000 mAh Battery With more and more USB devices becoming “necessities” for daily life, the powerstation duo was developed to ensure you have enough power to keep them fully charged when you need it most. Charge your phone and tablet together or share a port with a friend in need when outlets aren't an option. You can get eight phone chargings from a single charge to the Mophie. RV BUCKET LIST DESTINATION: Florida's Emerald Coast - Our destination of the week is the Florida Panhandle, and specifically the Emerald Coast, which has perhaps the finest beaches we have found anywhere in America. Here's a link to Emerald Cost photos and video and a look at a cool wait =to catch bait for fishermen. Jim and Chris Guld, the "Geeks on Tour" Interview of the Week In our interview with the Geeks on Tour, Jim and Chris Guld talk about the top three questions asked by RVers. What to do about bad campground Wi-Fi? How do RVers handle mail while they are on the road? What's a good way for RVers to organize and share the photos they take while traveling? Big RV rallies coming up in 2015 Resources and websites mentioned by Jim and Chris Guld: Geeks on Tour Good Sam Rally, Phoenix, AZ Feb.26-Mar. 1, 2015 Escapes Escapade Rally, Tucson AZ March 8-13, 2015 Family Motorcoach Association Rally, Pomona, CA March 26-19. 2015 St. Brendan's Isle Mail Forwarding Service Picassa Photo software Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page > From there (see photo above), you can... 1) Subscribe 2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much. 3) Leave a written review. Thanks to all for the kind reviews we've received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review! And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

It's underway - the annual migration of the Snowbirds , with an estimated 2-5 million RVers  heading to the South and Southwest. That's the featured topic in Episode 006 of Roadtreking the RV Podcast. Snowbirds typically spend three to five months in the warm climates. It's a dream lots of us have. We cover lots of other subjects in this episode, too, from vandalism in our national parks to RV fraud to a list of five awesome places you'll want to add to your bucket list for 2015 RV travel. [spp-player] To download this to your computer just right click the download button. On PCs, that saves to your hard-drive and you can then listen to it any time you want, pausing it and resuming at will. On Macs, Control click the download button and then select "Save Link As" from the little dropdown list to get it on your hard-drive. Here's the show notes for Episode 006 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: [spp-tweet "The snowbirds are beginning their great RV migration."] Our interview with Kevin Broom of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association sheds light on the ins and outs of snowbirding. Also, for reference, Good Sam publishes a snowbird guide  that you can get at  http://bit.ly/1wZpCxC RV NEWS OF THE WEEK: [spp-tweet "Is it art or vandalism that is defacing our National Parks? "]We talk about a wave of weird graffiti drawings showing  at several National Parks being labeled by some as "graffiti art." You can be the judge of that. Here's a story on the problem. And we refer to a story in the Edmonton Journal newspaper about a big RV fraud case in Alberta. TRAVELING TECH TIP: I share an amazing typing shortcut app I use for my Apple MacBook Pro laptop and my home desktop called Text Expander. It lets you quickly type “snippets” of text, whether a full letter or paragraphs or a signature. No more fat fingered typos. I love it for use while traveling because I can respond to email and write faster and more accurately, keeping data charges down while online via my mobile hotspot. But here's the deal, last week the company provided me five copies that I can give away. They went an hour after the show become available. But I talked to the company this week and they are offering 20% off the #34.95 cost to Roadtreking listeners. Just use this link and you'll get 20% off the normal $34.95 cost. Again, this is for Mac computers and for our blog readers and podcast listeners. Everyone else pays 20% more. I must have 100 or more snippets that I'm using. Everytime I type something that I know I will use again, I make it a snippet. Very handy. I refer to a great online backup service I use called Backblaze. I trust it for all my photos and videos while I'm out on the road. All I need is a Wi-F connection and it automatically backs up every single file and photo I have to the cloud. It's the best peace of mine backup system I've ever used. If you buy using those links, I get a small commission as an affiliate. RV BUCKET LIST DESTINATION: Jennifer and I share [spp-tweet "our top 5 RV destinations in the awesomely beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan"]. I also mentioned a Winter camping trip on schedule for Jan. 23-25, 2015 at Tahquamenon Falls in the UP. If you think you'd like to try winter camping, here's the info:- https://rvlifestyle.com/heres-chance-try-winter-camping/ Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the ...

If you like getting away from it all, this episode of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast is going to be especially interesting to you. Along with a bunch of RV news, tips and topics covered this week, we devote lots of time to boondocking and staying connected to the online world through satellite Internet. First, thanks to Stephanie Alexander from Crystal River, Fla. for her kind words about the podcast and how she, as a solo RVer, appreciates the community she's met through Roadtreking. I always start each week's episode with a message left via the Vice Mail link that you see on the right side of this blog page. Sometimes it's a compliment, sometimes its a little commentary on what the RV lifestyle means to the listener. But its so encouraging to get those messages and I thank those who have done so already. Listen up! Here's Episode 5 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast [spp-player] To download this to your computer just right click the download button. On PCs, that saves to your hard-drive and you can then listen to it any time you want, pausing it and resuming at will. On Macs, Control click the download button and then select "Save Link As" from the little dropdown list to get it on your hard-drive. This episode is brought to you by: Van City RV – where they service and sell only Class B motorhomes from all the major manufacturers. And… The Good Sam Club – Good Friends, Good Fun, Great Savings! Join Today! Here's the show notes for Episode 005 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: BOONDOCKING – Jennifer and I just returned from a four-day boondocking getaway in the woods of northern Michigan. We talk about what it's like out there and what we do when we're off the grid. Heres' a link to some boondocking photos and a story and on the podcast, there's an audio segment in the podcast that we recorded out in the boonies. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: A listener wants to know whether he's better off touring in a high mileage automobile or a small motorhome. Jennifer and I break it down by the pros and cons and [spp-tweet "We discuss the differences between a conversion van and a Class B RV"] RV NEWS OF THE WEEK: [spp-tweet "I give the RVers Farmers Almanac long range weather forecasts for the winter by region"] and we share news on the the fastest growing RV demographic, according to the latest industry sales figure.   TRAVELING TECH TIP: I share an amazing typing shortcut app I use for my Apple MacBook Pro laptop and my home desktop called Text Expander. It lets you quickly type "snippets" of text, whether a full letter or paragraphs or a signature. No more fat fingers. I love it for use while traveling because I can respond to email and write faster and more accurately, keeping data charges down while online via my mobile hotspot. But here's the deal,.. after I contacted the company,  they gave me five copies that I can give away. So the first five people who contact me and ask for the TextExpander app will get one. INTERVIEW: We talk with Barb Nolley, of  Mobile Internet Satellite. She tells us just [spp-tweet "What's involved in getting a satellite Internet system for an RV, along with pricing and equipment options"]. She discusses speed and reliability and how to set it up. RV BUCKET LIST DESTINATION: The Everglades and the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. Many of you ask how you can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. As we start a podcast, it's very important to get a bunch of reviews to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd subscribe and leave me your review. Here's how: How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top > From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. > Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the...

It's time for a new edition of Roadtreking- The RV Podcast. I continue to be overwhelmed by the positive response we've had to the first two episodes. I hope you enjoy this one even more. After you've listened, will you do me a favor? Please consider rating and giving us a review on iTunes or Stitcher. And use the subscribe buttons underneath the player to have them automatically loaded to your app or computer as new episodes are released. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #3 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: Episode released Oct. 15, 2014 OPENING DISCUSSION: We had an in-depth conversation about free places to stay overnight and how many communities are enacting anti-RV ordinances and regulations aimed at forcing RVers to stay in commercial campgrounds. I offer up two great resources for free overnight parking and free boondocking Boondockers Welcome (link on site) http://boondockerswelcome.com Overnight RV Camping http://overnightrvparking.com/ Tell them Roadtreking sent you and you will get a special deal. Vanessa Fox travels the country in her Roadtrek Popular 170, working out of a different city each day Last week, we traveled south in our RV for a visit with our son's family in SW Georgia. We do this several time a year to see the grandkids…and this time. we watched a couple of them play sports. You'll meet meet two of my grandsons and they'll tell you yet another reason why RVs are so handy… even if you don't camp. Jennifer stops by to open our books, revealing our out of pocket costs on a typical RV trip. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Listeners ask our experience with our Michelin LTXMS2 tires and, specifically, we talk about how they handle in the snow. RV NEWS OF THE WEEK: [spp-tweet "There's a very tough new anti-RV law on the books in San Diego"]. Some 250 plus RVers have been hit with stiff fines for parking their RVs near beach access sites over the past couple of weeks TRAVELING TECH TIP: I talk about weather apps. You may not know it but most phones today automatically receive emergency weather alerts. Check your phone's settings and notifications and you'll see where to set them. It gets emergency alerts, but has to be turned on. Check with your carrier for specifics but when activated, you'll get warnings automatically as the are issued. The system also sends out Amber alerts and, in dire emergencies, presidential warnings My favorite weather app is My Radar. It's a free app for all the major mobile platforms. It displays animated weather radar around your current location, allowing you to quickly see what weather is coming your way. For $3.99 you can include weather warnings and alerts, complete with push notifications, to warn you of severe weather in your area. RV BUCKET LIST DESTINATION: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado INTERVIEW: Vanessa Fox, http://www.girlmeetsroad.com/, travels the country in a Roadtrek 170 Popular working from a different city every day. She shares how her adventures. I also want to welcome in a new sponsor for the podcast - Can Van City RV in St. Louis. MO, where they specialize only in Class B motorhomes and the Good Sam Club and Camping World - the RVers best friends. I appreciate your iTunes subscriptions and reviews The ways new podcasts like this get noticed is through ratings and reviews. I've had several readers ask just how they do this. How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast Here's the process: First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the "Search Store" field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast. Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page From there, you can 1) Subscribe  2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it, one star not so much.  3) Leave a written review.

If you have been a frequent listener to these podcasts you will know me as the host of American Road Trip Talk but most of the time I wear an entirely different hat. For 40 years I have been a radio broadcaster in the Detroit Metropolitan area and for the last 16 of them I have hosted a weekly show called the Internet Advisor where we help people with their computer problems and introduce them to experts in the field. So what has that got to do with traveling the open road? Glad you asked. On the first show of 2014, I interview Mike Wendland, a nationally noted tech reporter on radio and CBS TV Network. Mike recently retired and, like some of you, decided to take his considerable talents on the American Road in a small RV. Mike has turned this new chapter in his life into a whole new career called Roadtreking. You can find stories and pictures of his adventures at http://www.roadtreking.com. Mike now handles all sorts of topics from repairing your generator to dealing with sitting disease and knowing when it’s too cold to RV, This interview is brought to you by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway--Where the Mother Road Begins. From famous road-side restaurants to hidden gems, Route 66 in Illinois offers a journey back in time.

If you have been a frequent listener to these podcasts you will know me as the host of American Road Trip Talk but most of the time I wear an entirely different hat. For 40 years I have been a radio broadcaster in the Detroit Metropolitan area and for the last 16 of them I have hosted a weekly show called the Internet Advisor where we help people with their computer problems and introduce them to experts in the field. So what has that got to do with traveling the open road? Glad you asked. On the first show of 2014, I interview Mike Wendland, a nationally noted tech reporter on radio and CBS TV Network. Mike recently retired and, like some of you, decided to take his considerable talents on the American Road in a small RV. Mike has turned this new chapter in his life into a whole new career called Roadtreking. You can find stories and pictures of his adventures at http://www.roadtreking.com. Mike now handles all sorts of topics from repairing your generator to dealing with sitting disease and knowing when it's too cold to RV, This interview is brought to you by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway--Where the Mother Road Begins. From famous road-side restaurants to hidden gems, Route 66 in Illinois offers a journey back in time.

If you have been a frequent listener to these podcasts you will know me as the host of American Road Trip Talk but most of the time I wear an entirely different hat. For 40 years I have been a radio broadcaster in the Detroit Metropolitan area and for the last 16 of them I have hosted a weekly show called the Internet Advisor where we help people with their computer problems and introduce them to experts in the field. So what has that got to do with traveling the open road? Glad you asked. On the first show of 2014, I interview Mike Wendland, a nationally noted tech reporter on radio and CBS TV Network. Mike recently retired and, like some of you, decided to take his considerable talents on the American Road in a small RV. Mike has turned this new chapter in his life into a whole new career called Roadtreking. You can find stories and pictures of his adventures at http://www.roadtreking.com. Mike now handles all sorts of topics from repairing your generator to dealing with sitting disease and knowing when it’s too cold to RV, This interview is brought to you by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway--Where the Mother Road Begins. From famous road-side restaurants to hidden gems, Route 66 in Illinois offers a journey back in time.

Mike Wendland is America's premier high tech reporter and convergence editor. His newspaper technology columns, NBC-TV network television reports and five books on the Internet have given him a loyal nationwide audience of millions who have come to rely on his warm and friendly "No Geek-Speak" advice, reports and suggestions about technology and how it impacts all of us. Mike is a nationally recognized pioneer in blogging, citizen journalism, convergence and multimedia. He'll talk about the new trend: The social media craze show no signs of letting up, with more than 200 million people now using sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Now, there’s a new whole category of social sites and services concentrating on shared photos and video. He'll discuss a bunch of online services that add imaging and video to your social connections.

Detroit Free Press writer Mike Wendland comments about show trends and introduces a couple of hot products.

Detroit Free Press tech writer Mike Wendland, Gannett and USA TODAY writer Marc Saltzman and USATODAY reporter Mike Snider wrap up CES with commentary about key trends and favorite products.