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My guest is Kurt Johnson Co-author of The Moon Tavern, A Culinary Love Story With Recipes. The Moon Tavern takes the reader on a romantic and culinary journey through the Islands of Croatia, where dark family secrets are revealed, quirky friends and relatives are found, and love is discovered.Vesna, or Ves, is a cookbook writer from Minneapolis who travels to the remote, exotic island of Lastovo off Croatia's Mediterranean coast to reconnect with her biological grandmother. She'd been adopted as a young child after her parents died in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Ves is also fleeing a frayed relationship with her live-in partner, Reed.In Lastovo, she meets Dinko, a single, handsome, and wealthy vineyard owner, and his cute daughter Mia. With his help with the translation, Ves discovers her biological family's history and the dark secrets of what happened during the war. Romance, travel, and cooking ensue. She ultimately learns what matters most to her: simplicity in life, closeness with family, and someone to share love with. And, of course, food!Stephanie [00:00:00]:Hello, everybody, and welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space and other spaces. All the spaces of all the fun things. Kurt is my spouse, Kurt Johnson, and also the co author of the Moon Tavern, a culinary romance with recipes. It is a fiction book that is available on your bookshelf now. Welcome to the podcast, Kurt.Kurt Johnson [00:00:22]:Hi, thanks for having me.Stephanie [00:00:24]:Thanks for having us. The idea that we should work on a book together. I am, as many of you listening know, a cookbook writer and my husband is a fiction writer. And somewhere along the way, we decided that maybe it would be good to collaborate together. Kurt, was it you or me that had the idea first? I think it was you.Kurt Johnson [00:00:42]:Yeah, probably. I was kind of done with my past book writing about Las Vegas and looking for something different. And we'd been traveling a lot, so going to Croatia, going to Italy, going out west, going to Turkey. So I wanted to incorporate travel with a novel, and I also wanted to incorporate food. And so I thought this would be a lot of fun. Since we're traveling together, we have those shared experiences and you have the food experience and the food writing experience. So I thought it'd be a fun collaboration. And I've always liked the idea of love stories.Kurt Johnson [00:01:18]:Even my thriller books in Las Vegas had kind of a love story element. And it adds a dimension to a novel that, I don't know, makes it cohesive, makes it pull together in an emotional arc that's kind of fulfilling in the end.Stephanie [00:01:33]:Do you think you're a romantic at heart, or what is it about romances that are fun to write for you?Kurt Johnson [00:01:39]:Maybe I'm a romance at heart. I may be more stoic than that, though. I just. I like the idea of seeing people get together, seeing people enjoy the same interests and finding people that can fall in love. Of course, that's always the fun part. The hard part is once you get married and move on from there and have to deal with kids and daily life and work and all the other things that go with living life. And that's not that much fun to write.Stephanie [00:02:07]:Yeah, exactly. We as a couple, I think I can speak for me and you maybe on this one. We've always had great experiences traveling. We are good traveling companions. We like the spirit of adventure. Did you know that Croatia would be the spot for the first fiction endeavor?Kurt Johnson [00:02:24]:Yeah, that was a given since we'd been there five times and four times running a sailboat and visiting the islands. And as you know, Stephanie, I'm just enamored with those islands, I think they're so beautiful. And there was one island we discovered out there, Lastovo, which is the furthest island out. So a lot of the sailors and tourists just never get there. They stay closer to shore. So, you know, going out there the first time, this beautiful bay of Zachlopedia, where, you know, it's a, it's a protective cove which is beautiful turquoise water. And then taking the dinghy in, and then you walk up this path, I think it's about a two mile hike. And then you go over this ridge and this 16th, 15th century town opens up.Kurt Johnson [00:03:10]:You know, at one point maybe it had 10,000 residents. And, and it, it, when we first saw it, I don't know, 10, 15 years ago, it was abandoned. So it was a ghost town of 15th century buildings and churches and apartments in this beautiful valley of lush green foliage. So that's very picturesque. We had an incredible meal there of just simple anchovies and blitfa. And for you, for you people out there that don't know, blitfa is ubiquitous in Croatia. And it's, it's just spring potatoes with Swiss chard, but it's served with everything.Stephanie [00:03:52]:It is served with everything. And they sometimes have spinach, sometimes have like another type of green, but it's sort of like the potatoes are cooked till they're pretty soft, and then it's kind of mashed in a little bit. So it's not fully a mashed potato and it's not fully a roasted potato. It's sort of a combination of both. But it is good.Kurt Johnson [00:04:12]:Yeah, so, yeah, that's so, you know, it seemed such an exotic place, the island of Lastovo in Croatia, that it was a natural to place it there.Stephanie [00:04:23]:Can you tell a little bit of just an introduction of the story, like what people will find when they crack open the book?Kurt Johnson [00:04:30]:Sure. It's about Vesna, who is. Has a breakup with her live in boyfriend, and they'd had a restaurant. She was a chef, a cookbook authority, and had a restaurant, not unlike my dear wife Stephanie. And she has a breakup and she leaves Minneapolis to go to Croatia to uncover her. Her heritage. She had been adopted from Croatia, specifically Dubrovnik, when her parents died in the Serb bombing of Dubrovnik in 1991. So she was adopted out of there and raised in Minnesota.Kurt Johnson [00:05:05]:So then she goes to Croatia and rediscovers her dark family secrets and meets Dinko Radek, who is a winery owner, and, you know, romance ensues. But she has a life still back in Minneapolis that she has to go back to and resolve.Stephanie [00:05:24]:When we talked about putting this first concept together, you know, I see the world through food. Like, literally everything in sort of my life is framed by a meal, an experience, just the way that I see the world. It's always around food, celebrations. And so did you know that that would work for this Croatia book? Because I didn't. When you first brought it up, I was like, I can't be a Croatian grandma here. And writing recipes about what at the time I perceived as, like, dumplings.Kurt Johnson [00:05:53]:Yeah, I wasn't sure either, frankly. You know, so each chapter, there's 25 chapters, and each chapter in it has a description of cooking. And it's all Croatia cooking, Croatia recipes. You know, all food we at over the years where we were there. And then the idea of tagging on recipes was just kind of bringing it home. Like, here's the Croatia experience. Now here's how Stephanie would bring that back to the real world, which is here in the United States.Stephanie [00:06:21]:We have talked about doing a series of books. What is it about this genre that you think lends itself to other titles and other characters?Kurt Johnson [00:06:29]:Well, you know, it's an adventure book on one level, and there's always new places to visit. So the next book is based in Panza, Italy, where we've been a couple times. And it's this beautiful island off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean. And, you know, Italian food. You go to Italy and what you remember is the pizza in Naples or the. The pasta in Rome and. And the busteca up in the hills. So, you know, a way to experience a place is.Kurt Johnson [00:07:04]:Is through food. And I like writing about new settings. You know, it. It's not as interesting writing about Minnesota,Stephanie [00:07:11]:but you've written a lot about Las Vegas. You've had how many books about Las Vegas? Three.Kurt Johnson [00:07:16]:Yeah, three. You know, two of the. Of kind of a thriller in. Two thrillers in a series, and then a book about RVing that ends up in. In Las Vegas. And Las Vegas is a interesting place, and I lived there for five years running nightclubs and restaurants. And so two of the books are Underbelly of Las Vegas, which I was a part of in the nightclub scene back in the late 80s. So that's just flat out fun to write about.Kurt Johnson [00:07:39]:And Las Vegas is such a weirdo place that it's fun to bring that to life.Stephanie [00:07:45]:It's interesting to hear you talk about that. The way you choose your stories is about place, because the first book, the Barrens, that you wrote with our Daughter Ellie, inspired by her experiences as a canoe camper in the tundra. That's also based in Place, too. Place is sort of what starts you on these journeys. It seems like, yeah, you know something,Kurt Johnson [00:08:07]:you threw me a curveball because I never really thought about it. But you're exactly right.Stephanie [00:08:12]:All.Kurt Johnson [00:08:12]:All these books start off with a setting, with a place, and then, you know, the plots revolve around. Around that. And there's just so many. So many different. There's a finite number of, really, plots you can choose from. It's kind of like a piano keyboard has all the. The notes that you want to make up a. A music piece the same way with plot structures.Kurt Johnson [00:08:34]:And so to take it to the next level, you really have to search out characters, and the characters are in a setting, so those two are inexplicably, Inextricably. Inextricably linked. Yeah, exactly. So, you know, the two go hand in hand. So character and place really can set a novel apart.Stephanie [00:08:59]:Can you think of other books that you've written or. Excuse me. No, not that you've written, that you've read. Where Place sort of started you off on this adventure?Kurt Johnson [00:09:07]:Yeah, probably. I really love Beautiful Ruins.Stephanie [00:09:11]:Jess Walters.Kurt Johnson [00:09:13]:Walters, yeah. And that starts off in Italy, kind of near Cinque de Terre. And it's kind of the poor version of Cinque de Terre, where the tourists don't go. And it was such a fascinating story. And then they bring that all back to Hollywood in America, and it just works so well. But what really captures your imagination is the description of this little seaside community. Before the whole plot takes over, IStephanie [00:09:41]:kind of think about that book. The Embarrassment of Mangoes.Kurt Johnson [00:09:44]:Yeah.Stephanie [00:09:44]:When you and I first started sailing and going on these adventures, we read that book. It was about a couple that buys a boat and sails through the Caribbean, and she is discovering spices and fruits and vegetables and things that she's never eaten before. And I just loved that book. It was really what got me into sailing and thinking about how to make that our life and whether or not, you know, we could buy a boat and do that. And that boat really had a huge setting of place. Can you think of, like. I don't know. When I think of other books, there's very few books that I think about character first.Stephanie [00:10:19]:I usually always think about the place. Maybe that's just something.Kurt Johnson [00:10:22]:Or the plot, too. Yeah, they're all just linked together. And you don't think about. Well, you were saying you don't think about character as much.Stephanie [00:10:31]:Not really.Kurt Johnson [00:10:32]:Yeah, it's funny. I think, you know, the best books people say are character driven, but they're inexplicable. What's the word again?Stephanie [00:10:41]:Inextricably.Kurt Johnson [00:10:43]:Inextricably. Trouble with that. Linked. So, you know, you pick a place and you pick a plot and then you build these characters. The characters have to build around that plot and so they kind of naturally flow. And, and I, I think they, if they're well written and honest, you shouldn't think of them. You know, they're interesting characters and you'll say, you know, this is Rabbit and the Rabbit series. And you'll know, but you won't say, oh, that's just a great character.Kurt Johnson [00:11:10]:I, I, I don't know that I certainly, you know, I'm probably deep into it and I look at the craft a lot so I can see where somebody has really spent some time to develop an honest character or where, you know, the narrative voice comes through and, and a character comes to life through this first person narrative voice. So I see that a lot moreStephanie [00:11:30]:people have a real, like they can't believe you can write a book. Like the idea of the literal act of sitting down and writing and how that works. People fantasize about writing it, but then very few people do. What was it that got you over the hump from thinking about writing it to actually sitting down and doing it?Kurt Johnson [00:11:47]:Well, selling our business and all of a sudden being able to free up time. Because for me, novel writing and I think was it Chrisham talked about, you know, writing at 5 in the morning before he goes to work at 7. I just couldn't do that. You know, I just, I'm very focused on one thing and, and so I needed to free up my time from work in order to get going. And then it was, can you put together, you know, a thousand or fifteen hundred words every day so that it links up into a novel and have that, not only that, that discipline, but also have the creative juices to produce scenes almost every day because, you know, like a, a good novel is created from 50 scenes. So I went from, you know, writing a memoir that I probably won't publish just to see if I can get, you know, a thousand words every day and put this together to then writing Las Vegas turnaround. And there I, I, I really just copied a lot of plot structures that I saw that I liked. And so it was easier for me to set up main characters, set up tertiary characters, subplots, because I had a blueprint from somebody else.Kurt Johnson [00:12:56]:And then, and then once, you know, you Keep writing. You get muscle memory for it and it becomes more, more natural and actually more fun because it becomes more organic. You'll follow characters through a town and they'll meet somebody and all of a sudden that person becomes a character in their universe and they say something and all of a sudden that takes off and you have to follow it. Now, you know, the woman's gonna fall in love with a guy at the end. But getting there is the fun part. And now I can do that a lot more organically.Stephanie [00:13:27]:If you are talking to any aspiring novel writers, what kind of advice do you have for them to get started?Kurt Johnson [00:13:34]:Well, you know, you gotta lower your expectations just because publishing is so hard, you know.Stephanie [00:13:39]:Can you elaborate on that?Kurt Johnson [00:13:41]:Well, you know, there's maybe two or three or 400 agents, most of them in New York City and they're all trying to make a buck. And it's hard to make a buck off a debut writer. It helps if you're MFA and you're writing in a genre because, you know, let's say 70% of the books are read by women and 70% of those are romances. And then men, the other 30%, probably 80% of what they read are, you know, thrillers or mysteries. So if you can pick a genre, that always helps. But yeah, it, you have to be more thoughtful about it. And I think, I think so many first time writers, you know, once they get the discipline and put, put the, the words on a page, they write that first personal novel, you know, and I wrote my memoir and it's, it's really 90% of those, they, you know, people have the, they aspire for the great American novel and it's too personal, it's too close to home. They can't break out from the reality of their lives to have fun with the plot and make things happen.Kurt Johnson [00:14:45]:So a lot of times these books, nothing happens. They're deeply emotional books where nothing happens and they're, they're excruciatingly boring. So you gotta get past that phase and then you gotta look at it as a, as a craft. And, you know, a big chunk of it's art, of course, whatever you wanna call that, you know, shedding light on the human experience. But a big chunk is craft. And I don't think you can get to the craft for most people in that first book. So you gotta keep writing, you know, and realize that the first couple books may not get published. So, you know, the barons got published.Kurt Johnson [00:15:21]:That was one, two, that was my third, fourth book, you know, and the, and two, the, the first three, two of them were duds that will never be published.Stephanie [00:15:31]:Yeah. Yeah. All right, well, it's good to chat with you about the book. We are in the marketing process of the book. I feel like books come in three waves. One is the idea that you're thinking about it. The second, the actual writing of it. And then the third is actual the marketing of it.Stephanie [00:15:48]:What do you think's the hardest part?Kurt Johnson [00:15:49]:Well, I mean, it's. The hardest part's finding an agent and finding a publisher. Then if you self publish, the hardest part is marketing. And at least it is for me because writing is so natural and fun for me. But I think for most people, you know, the writing's a hard part. And, and you know, like the Minnesota writer o', Brien, he hates writing, so he forces himself. Tim o'. Brien.Kurt Johnson [00:16:12]:So he forces himself to get those books out there. So probably that's the hardest part for him.Stephanie [00:16:17]:We had, I had a cookbook, two cookbooks out and I had a publisher, but they didn't publish this book because it was a fiction book. I think some people just assume like, oh, well, they've already had books out, but we self published this book. Why did we make that decision from your standpoint?Kurt Johnson [00:16:33]:Well, we couldn't get an A list agent or a New York publisher. There's just not, it comes off as almost a debut book and it's hard for them to make any money. So if you can't get an A lister, then you're, you know, stuck with boutique publishing companies and others and, and they just don't support the marketing of your book. And I've self published books in the past, so I know how to do it. I know how to put a professional product out there. And, and we can, you know, both of us are marketers and, and Stephanie has a large platform, so we can do a lot of our own marketing or, or outsource it, you know, but still we retain most of the profits. So when we do the marketing, we can reinvested or keep those profits.Stephanie [00:17:17]:Yeah, I, when you say profits, it sounds like there's a lot there. I'd like to, I mean, I mean,Kurt Johnson [00:17:22]:maybe, maybe we broke it even at this point, but then now we're looking at a marketing PR firm that's going to set us back another $5,000. But you know, if, if these books succeed and somebody makes a lot of money, it's the, it's the third, you know, book that's going to put them over the top. It's not the first.Stephanie [00:17:40]:I have this idea too that we're going to write these books and then sooner or later someone's going to turn them into a T series because it's going to be like the White Lotus where each season is a different location and a different cast of characters, but sort of the general premise is sort of the same.Kurt Johnson [00:17:56]:I hope so. You know, I hope an A list agent comes along and, and frees us from our servitude or whatever. And, but, and yeah, you know, there's, there's plenty of stories of self published authors that, that get deals or even boutique. Boutique authors that get deals. So you know, we can dream.Stephanie [00:18:16]:One thing that I'd like the listener to hear is what their part is in this because we've. I was leaving the coffee shop today. We're in Ely. That is the vacation backgrounds. But.Kurt Johnson [00:18:25]:Right.Stephanie [00:18:25]:I was leaving the coffee shop today and a woman stopped me and said, Stephanie, I had the opportunity to read the Moon Tavern. It's so good. I loved it so much. And she's telling me about it and telling her friend. And I have that experience a lot where people have really, really enjoyed this book. And I just want the listener to know that leaving reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or Barnes and Noble or wherever you bought the book or if you can' find a book, asking for it at your local bookseller. Cause they can always order it when you're self published. The more buzz you can create about these books, the better chance that someone will hear about it, someone will buy it and eventually a publisher, if they hear about a book and they like it, then they may pick it up.Stephanie [00:19:03]:So I think if you like what you're reading and you want to see more of this type of work in the world and books that you like, that's something that you can do to help us out.Kurt Johnson [00:19:13]:Yes, a 5 on Amazon or top rating on any other Goodreads is good too. Yeah, it's, it's all, it's all good. So yes, those, those help a lot. Just because the more reviews you can get and the more five star reviews you get, the more people will pick up the book, the more buzz you'll get. So yeah, so it helps us immeasurably.Stephanie [00:19:35]:Another thing before we wrap up here, someone asked me about the Cover of the book. Do you want to talk about how you picked the artwork?Kurt Johnson [00:19:41]:Yeah, I was pretty much online Xee Reider, she's in St. Paul and she's a muralist mostly. And I really liked the look that she had. So I reached out to her, and she did the original artwork, and then each chapter ends with a recipe, and there's a pen and ink drawing, and she did those. And I really think that adds another level to the book. And I love a beautiful cover.Stephanie [00:20:10]:Yeah, the cover is really nice. She did a great job. All right, well, that is it for this episode of the podcast. Just want to chat with you and give people a little background. Thanks for being a guest. Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

My guest is Kurt Johnson Co-author of The Moon Tavern, A Culinary Love Story With Recipes. The Moon Tavern takes the reader on a romantic and culinary journey through the Islands of Croatia, where dark family secrets are revealed, quirky friends and relatives are found, and love is discovered.Vesna, or Ves, is a cookbook writer from Minneapolis who travels to the remote, exotic island of Lastovo off Croatia's Mediterranean coast to reconnect with her biological grandmother. She'd been adopted as a young child after her parents died in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Ves is also fleeing a frayed relationship with her live-in partner, Reed.In Lastovo, she meets Dinko, a single, handsome, and wealthy vineyard owner, and his cute daughter Mia. With his help with the translation, Ves discovers her biological family's history and the dark secrets of what happened during the war. Romance, travel, and cooking ensue. She ultimately learns what matters most to her: simplicity in life, closeness with family, and someone to share love with. And, of course, food!Stephanie [00:00:00]:Hello, everybody, and welcome to Dishing with Stephanie's Dish, the podcast where we talk to people in the food space and other spaces. All the spaces of all the fun things. Kurt is my spouse, Kurt Johnson, and also the co author of the Moon Tavern, a culinary romance with recipes. It is a fiction book that is available on your bookshelf now. Welcome to the podcast, Kurt.Kurt Johnson [00:00:22]:Hi, thanks for having me.Stephanie [00:00:24]:Thanks for having us. The idea that we should work on a book together. I am, as many of you listening know, a cookbook writer and my husband is a fiction writer. And somewhere along the way, we decided that maybe it would be good to collaborate together. Kurt, was it you or me that had the idea first? I think it was you.Kurt Johnson [00:00:42]:Yeah, probably. I was kind of done with my past book writing about Las Vegas and looking for something different. And we'd been traveling a lot, so going to Croatia, going to Italy, going out west, going to Turkey. So I wanted to incorporate travel with a novel, and I also wanted to incorporate food. And so I thought this would be a lot of fun. Since we're traveling together, we have those shared experiences and you have the food experience and the food writing experience. So I thought it'd be a fun collaboration. And I've always liked the idea of love stories.Kurt Johnson [00:01:18]:Even my thriller books in Las Vegas had kind of a love story element. And it adds a dimension to a novel that, I don't know, makes it cohesive, makes it pull together in an emotional arc that's kind of fulfilling in the end.Stephanie [00:01:33]:Do you think you're a romantic at heart, or what is it about romances that are fun to write for you?Kurt Johnson [00:01:39]:Maybe I'm a romance at heart. I may be more stoic than that, though. I just. I like the idea of seeing people get together, seeing people enjoy the same interests and finding people that can fall in love. Of course, that's always the fun part. The hard part is once you get married and move on from there and have to deal with kids and daily life and work and all the other things that go with living life. And that's not that much fun to write.Stephanie [00:02:07]:Yeah, exactly. We as a couple, I think I can speak for me and you maybe on this one. We've always had great experiences traveling. We are good traveling companions. We like the spirit of adventure. Did you know that Croatia would be the spot for the first fiction endeavor?Kurt Johnson [00:02:24]:Yeah, that was a given since we'd been there five times and four times running a sailboat and visiting the islands. And as you know, Stephanie, I'm just enamored with those islands, I think they're so beautiful. And there was one island we discovered out there, Lastovo, which is the furthest island out. So a lot of the sailors and tourists just never get there. They stay closer to shore. So, you know, going out there the first time, this beautiful bay of Zachlopedia, where, you know, it's a, it's a protective cove which is beautiful turquoise water. And then taking the dinghy in, and then you walk up this path, I think it's about a two mile hike. And then you go over this ridge and this 16th, 15th century town opens up.Kurt Johnson [00:03:10]:You know, at one point maybe it had 10,000 residents. And, and it, it, when we first saw it, I don't know, 10, 15 years ago, it was abandoned. So it was a ghost town of 15th century buildings and churches and apartments in this beautiful valley of lush green foliage. So that's very picturesque. We had an incredible meal there of just simple anchovies and blitfa. And for you, for you people out there that don't know, blitfa is ubiquitous in Croatia. And it's, it's just spring potatoes with Swiss chard, but it's served with everything.Stephanie [00:03:52]:It is served with everything. And they sometimes have spinach, sometimes have like another type of green, but it's sort of like the potatoes are cooked till they're pretty soft, and then it's kind of mashed in a little bit. So it's not fully a mashed potato and it's not fully a roasted potato. It's sort of a combination of both. But it is good.Kurt Johnson [00:04:12]:Yeah, so, yeah, that's so, you know, it seemed such an exotic place, the island of Lastovo in Croatia, that it was a natural to place it there.Stephanie [00:04:23]:Can you tell a little bit of just an introduction of the story, like what people will find when they crack open the book?Kurt Johnson [00:04:30]:Sure. It's about Vesna, who is. Has a breakup with her live in boyfriend, and they'd had a restaurant. She was a chef, a cookbook authority, and had a restaurant, not unlike my dear wife Stephanie. And she has a breakup and she leaves Minneapolis to go to Croatia to uncover her. Her heritage. She had been adopted from Croatia, specifically Dubrovnik, when her parents died in the Serb bombing of Dubrovnik in 1991. So she was adopted out of there and raised in Minnesota.Kurt Johnson [00:05:05]:So then she goes to Croatia and rediscovers her dark family secrets and meets Dinko Radek, who is a winery owner, and, you know, romance ensues. But she has a life still back in Minneapolis that she has to go back to and resolve.Stephanie [00:05:24]:When we talked about putting this first concept together, you know, I see the world through food. Like, literally everything in sort of my life is framed by a meal, an experience, just the way that I see the world. It's always around food, celebrations. And so did you know that that would work for this Croatia book? Because I didn't. When you first brought it up, I was like, I can't be a Croatian grandma here. And writing recipes about what at the time I perceived as, like, dumplings.Kurt Johnson [00:05:53]:Yeah, I wasn't sure either, frankly. You know, so each chapter, there's 25 chapters, and each chapter in it has a description of cooking. And it's all Croatia cooking, Croatia recipes. You know, all food we at over the years where we were there. And then the idea of tagging on recipes was just kind of bringing it home. Like, here's the Croatia experience. Now here's how Stephanie would bring that back to the real world, which is here in the United States.Stephanie [00:06:21]:We have talked about doing a series of books. What is it about this genre that you think lends itself to other titles and other characters?Kurt Johnson [00:06:29]:Well, you know, it's an adventure book on one level, and there's always new places to visit. So the next book is based in Panza, Italy, where we've been a couple times. And it's this beautiful island off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean. And, you know, Italian food. You go to Italy and what you remember is the pizza in Naples or the. The pasta in Rome and. And the busteca up in the hills. So, you know, a way to experience a place is.Kurt Johnson [00:07:04]:Is through food. And I like writing about new settings. You know, it. It's not as interesting writing about Minnesota,Stephanie [00:07:11]:but you've written a lot about Las Vegas. You've had how many books about Las Vegas? Three.Kurt Johnson [00:07:16]:Yeah, three. You know, two of the. Of kind of a thriller in. Two thrillers in a series, and then a book about RVing that ends up in. In Las Vegas. And Las Vegas is a interesting place, and I lived there for five years running nightclubs and restaurants. And so two of the books are Underbelly of Las Vegas, which I was a part of in the nightclub scene back in the late 80s. So that's just flat out fun to write about.Kurt Johnson [00:07:39]:And Las Vegas is such a weirdo place that it's fun to bring that to life.Stephanie [00:07:45]:It's interesting to hear you talk about that. The way you choose your stories is about place, because the first book, the Barrens, that you wrote with our Daughter Ellie, inspired by her experiences as a canoe camper in the tundra. That's also based in Place, too. Place is sort of what starts you on these journeys. It seems like, yeah, you know something,Kurt Johnson [00:08:07]:you threw me a curveball because I never really thought about it. But you're exactly right.Stephanie [00:08:12]:All.Kurt Johnson [00:08:12]:All these books start off with a setting, with a place, and then, you know, the plots revolve around. Around that. And there's just so many. So many different. There's a finite number of, really, plots you can choose from. It's kind of like a piano keyboard has all the. The notes that you want to make up a. A music piece the same way with plot structures.Kurt Johnson [00:08:34]:And so to take it to the next level, you really have to search out characters, and the characters are in a setting, so those two are inexplicably, Inextricably. Inextricably linked. Yeah, exactly. So, you know, the two go hand in hand. So character and place really can set a novel apart.Stephanie [00:08:59]:Can you think of other books that you've written or. Excuse me. No, not that you've written, that you've read. Where Place sort of started you off on this adventure?Kurt Johnson [00:09:07]:Yeah, probably. I really love Beautiful Ruins.Stephanie [00:09:11]:Jess Walters.Kurt Johnson [00:09:13]:Walters, yeah. And that starts off in Italy, kind of near Cinque de Terre. And it's kind of the poor version of Cinque de Terre, where the tourists don't go. And it was such a fascinating story. And then they bring that all back to Hollywood in America, and it just works so well. But what really captures your imagination is the description of this little seaside community. Before the whole plot takes over, IStephanie [00:09:41]:kind of think about that book. The Embarrassment of Mangoes.Kurt Johnson [00:09:44]:Yeah.Stephanie [00:09:44]:When you and I first started sailing and going on these adventures, we read that book. It was about a couple that buys a boat and sails through the Caribbean, and she is discovering spices and fruits and vegetables and things that she's never eaten before. And I just loved that book. It was really what got me into sailing and thinking about how to make that our life and whether or not, you know, we could buy a boat and do that. And that boat really had a huge setting of place. Can you think of, like. I don't know. When I think of other books, there's very few books that I think about character first.Stephanie [00:10:19]:I usually always think about the place. Maybe that's just something.Kurt Johnson [00:10:22]:Or the plot, too. Yeah, they're all just linked together. And you don't think about. Well, you were saying you don't think about character as much.Stephanie [00:10:31]:Not really.Kurt Johnson [00:10:32]:Yeah, it's funny. I think, you know, the best books people say are character driven, but they're inexplicable. What's the word again?Stephanie [00:10:41]:Inextricably.Kurt Johnson [00:10:43]:Inextricably. Trouble with that. Linked. So, you know, you pick a place and you pick a plot and then you build these characters. The characters have to build around that plot and so they kind of naturally flow. And, and I, I think they, if they're well written and honest, you shouldn't think of them. You know, they're interesting characters and you'll say, you know, this is Rabbit and the Rabbit series. And you'll know, but you won't say, oh, that's just a great character.Kurt Johnson [00:11:10]:I, I, I don't know that I certainly, you know, I'm probably deep into it and I look at the craft a lot so I can see where somebody has really spent some time to develop an honest character or where, you know, the narrative voice comes through and, and a character comes to life through this first person narrative voice. So I see that a lot moreStephanie [00:11:30]:people have a real, like they can't believe you can write a book. Like the idea of the literal act of sitting down and writing and how that works. People fantasize about writing it, but then very few people do. What was it that got you over the hump from thinking about writing it to actually sitting down and doing it?Kurt Johnson [00:11:47]:Well, selling our business and all of a sudden being able to free up time. Because for me, novel writing and I think was it Chrisham talked about, you know, writing at 5 in the morning before he goes to work at 7. I just couldn't do that. You know, I just, I'm very focused on one thing and, and so I needed to free up my time from work in order to get going. And then it was, can you put together, you know, a thousand or fifteen hundred words every day so that it links up into a novel and have that, not only that, that discipline, but also have the creative juices to produce scenes almost every day because, you know, like a, a good novel is created from 50 scenes. So I went from, you know, writing a memoir that I probably won't publish just to see if I can get, you know, a thousand words every day and put this together to then writing Las Vegas turnaround. And there I, I, I really just copied a lot of plot structures that I saw that I liked. And so it was easier for me to set up main characters, set up tertiary characters, subplots, because I had a blueprint from somebody else.Kurt Johnson [00:12:56]:And then, and then once, you know, you Keep writing. You get muscle memory for it and it becomes more, more natural and actually more fun because it becomes more organic. You'll follow characters through a town and they'll meet somebody and all of a sudden that person becomes a character in their universe and they say something and all of a sudden that takes off and you have to follow it. Now, you know, the woman's gonna fall in love with a guy at the end. But getting there is the fun part. And now I can do that a lot more organically.Stephanie [00:13:27]:If you are talking to any aspiring novel writers, what kind of advice do you have for them to get started?Kurt Johnson [00:13:34]:Well, you know, you gotta lower your expectations just because publishing is so hard, you know.Stephanie [00:13:39]:Can you elaborate on that?Kurt Johnson [00:13:41]:Well, you know, there's maybe two or three or 400 agents, most of them in New York City and they're all trying to make a buck. And it's hard to make a buck off a debut writer. It helps if you're MFA and you're writing in a genre because, you know, let's say 70% of the books are read by women and 70% of those are romances. And then men, the other 30%, probably 80% of what they read are, you know, thrillers or mysteries. So if you can pick a genre, that always helps. But yeah, it, you have to be more thoughtful about it. And I think, I think so many first time writers, you know, once they get the discipline and put, put the, the words on a page, they write that first personal novel, you know, and I wrote my memoir and it's, it's really 90% of those, they, you know, people have the, they aspire for the great American novel and it's too personal, it's too close to home. They can't break out from the reality of their lives to have fun with the plot and make things happen.Kurt Johnson [00:14:45]:So a lot of times these books, nothing happens. They're deeply emotional books where nothing happens and they're, they're excruciatingly boring. So you gotta get past that phase and then you gotta look at it as a, as a craft. And, you know, a big chunk of it's art, of course, whatever you wanna call that, you know, shedding light on the human experience. But a big chunk is craft. And I don't think you can get to the craft for most people in that first book. So you gotta keep writing, you know, and realize that the first couple books may not get published. So, you know, the barons got published.Kurt Johnson [00:15:21]:That was one, two, that was my third, fourth book, you know, and the, and two, the, the first three, two of them were duds that will never be published.Stephanie [00:15:31]:Yeah. Yeah. All right, well, it's good to chat with you about the book. We are in the marketing process of the book. I feel like books come in three waves. One is the idea that you're thinking about it. The second, the actual writing of it. And then the third is actual the marketing of it.Stephanie [00:15:48]:What do you think's the hardest part?Kurt Johnson [00:15:49]:Well, I mean, it's. The hardest part's finding an agent and finding a publisher. Then if you self publish, the hardest part is marketing. And at least it is for me because writing is so natural and fun for me. But I think for most people, you know, the writing's a hard part. And, and you know, like the Minnesota writer o', Brien, he hates writing, so he forces himself. Tim o'. Brien.Kurt Johnson [00:16:12]:So he forces himself to get those books out there. So probably that's the hardest part for him.Stephanie [00:16:17]:We had, I had a cookbook, two cookbooks out and I had a publisher, but they didn't publish this book because it was a fiction book. I think some people just assume like, oh, well, they've already had books out, but we self published this book. Why did we make that decision from your standpoint?Kurt Johnson [00:16:33]:Well, we couldn't get an A list agent or a New York publisher. There's just not, it comes off as almost a debut book and it's hard for them to make any money. So if you can't get an A lister, then you're, you know, stuck with boutique publishing companies and others and, and they just don't support the marketing of your book. And I've self published books in the past, so I know how to do it. I know how to put a professional product out there. And, and we can, you know, both of us are marketers and, and Stephanie has a large platform, so we can do a lot of our own marketing or, or outsource it, you know, but still we retain most of the profits. So when we do the marketing, we can reinvested or keep those profits.Stephanie [00:17:17]:Yeah, I, when you say profits, it sounds like there's a lot there. I'd like to, I mean, I mean,Kurt Johnson [00:17:22]:maybe, maybe we broke it even at this point, but then now we're looking at a marketing PR firm that's going to set us back another $5,000. But you know, if, if these books succeed and somebody makes a lot of money, it's the, it's the third, you know, book that's going to put them over the top. It's not the first.Stephanie [00:17:40]:I have this idea too that we're going to write these books and then sooner or later someone's going to turn them into a T series because it's going to be like the White Lotus where each season is a different location and a different cast of characters, but sort of the general premise is sort of the same.Kurt Johnson [00:17:56]:I hope so. You know, I hope an A list agent comes along and, and frees us from our servitude or whatever. And, but, and yeah, you know, there's, there's plenty of stories of self published authors that, that get deals or even boutique. Boutique authors that get deals. So you know, we can dream.Stephanie [00:18:16]:One thing that I'd like the listener to hear is what their part is in this because we've. I was leaving the coffee shop today. We're in Ely. That is the vacation backgrounds. But.Kurt Johnson [00:18:25]:Right.Stephanie [00:18:25]:I was leaving the coffee shop today and a woman stopped me and said, Stephanie, I had the opportunity to read the Moon Tavern. It's so good. I loved it so much. And she's telling me about it and telling her friend. And I have that experience a lot where people have really, really enjoyed this book. And I just want the listener to know that leaving reviews on Goodreads or Amazon or Barnes and Noble or wherever you bought the book or if you can' find a book, asking for it at your local bookseller. Cause they can always order it when you're self published. The more buzz you can create about these books, the better chance that someone will hear about it, someone will buy it and eventually a publisher, if they hear about a book and they like it, then they may pick it up.Stephanie [00:19:03]:So I think if you like what you're reading and you want to see more of this type of work in the world and books that you like, that's something that you can do to help us out.Kurt Johnson [00:19:13]:Yes, a 5 on Amazon or top rating on any other Goodreads is good too. Yeah, it's, it's all, it's all good. So yes, those, those help a lot. Just because the more reviews you can get and the more five star reviews you get, the more people will pick up the book, the more buzz you'll get. So yeah, so it helps us immeasurably.Stephanie [00:19:35]:Another thing before we wrap up here, someone asked me about the Cover of the book. Do you want to talk about how you picked the artwork?Kurt Johnson [00:19:41]:Yeah, I was pretty much online Xee Reider, she's in St. Paul and she's a muralist mostly. And I really liked the look that she had. So I reached out to her, and she did the original artwork, and then each chapter ends with a recipe, and there's a pen and ink drawing, and she did those. And I really think that adds another level to the book. And I love a beautiful cover.Stephanie [00:20:10]:Yeah, the cover is really nice. She did a great job. All right, well, that is it for this episode of the podcast. Just want to chat with you and give people a little background. Thanks for being a guest. Stephanie Hansen's @StephaniesDish Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit stephaniehansen.substack.com/subscribe

*Get 30% off your next RV Mattress from Brooklyn Bedding at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles with code RVMILES at checkout* This week, some new RV debuts from  @WinnebagoRVs ,  @GrandDesignRVTeam , and @alinercamping  show us where things may be headed next — smaller motorhomes, fewer propane systems, more electric appliances, new materials, and some very different ideas about what buyers actually want. Plus, a major dealer says the industry keeps overbuilding RVs and then liquidating them in peak season, data center workers are filling up campgrounds, and more. The RV Business article from Ben Hirsch at  @CampersInnRV : https://rvbusiness.com/ben-hirsch-were-liquidating-new-rvs-in-peak-season-again/ The  @MattsRVReviews  video on the Grand Design Lineage Series E: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2Tc-cl2GI&t=1s The RV Industry history of RVing documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGJQejdpetg&t=7s ****************************** Connect with RV Miles:  RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers Tickets for HOMECOMING are on sale! Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming 00:00 Headlines 00:37 Dealers vs Overproduction 02:59 Winnebago Elora & Resa 05:44 Sponsor 06:35 Grand Design Lineage 08:19 Aliner Scout 15 09:38 Coachmen Composite Floors 11:09 Dometic Electric Heater 12:15 Data Center Campers 13:32 RVIA America 250 Film 14:48 Wrap Up

From New Brunswick camping and lobster to wheel position weighing, Smoky Mountain RV rentals, and premium national park trips, this episode helps RVers plan smarter, travel safer, and understand what every pound really means.Discover New Brunswick camping options, from off-grid dark sky stays to full-hookup resorts, glamping, lobster, and horse camping.Learn why wheel position weighing reveals safety issues a basic truck stop scale may miss. Hear how Miss Daisy became a Smoky Mountains RV rental business built around setup, checklists, and real-world lessons. Understand why premium RV rentals are growing near western national parks and who is driving that demand.John talks with Salma Burney of the New Brunswick Campground Owners Association about camping options, history, lobster, off-grid stays, and why the exchange rate may make Canada especially appealing for American RVers.Then Jim and Rene sit down with Trey Selman from the RV Safety & Education Foundation to explain wheel position weighing, weight distribution, tire safety, water weight, and why every item you pack matters.Rose and Glynn talk with RV Entrepreneur Bob Ashcraft about turning "Miss Daisy" into a Smoky Mountains RV rental business and writing a book to help new campers avoid expensive lessons.Bob wraps up with Becky Goodell, CEO of Blacksford RV Rentals, on premium RV rental growth near western national parks and why more travelers want the RV experience without buying first.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife163/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

Whether you’re boondocking between jobs, staying in remote locations or simply preparing for unexpected power outages, the right generator can make all the difference. This week, I am talking with Chris O’Connor, a representative from an RVMP, a company which manufactures and sells portable and permanently-installed generators for RV use. He explains how RVMP has focused on making generators smaller and lighter without sacrificing power. He also addresses why dual-fuel capability gives RVers more flexibility and how inverter technology delivers clean power that’s safe for today’s sensitive electronics. Chris explains how choosing the right generator size can keep everything from your air conditioner to your microwave running when you need it most. If reliable power is important to your Workamping lifestyle, you’re going to find plenty of practical information in this conversation. In this episode, we learn about features like dual-fuel operation, remote starting on portable models and emergency pull-start capability on installed generators. All of those are designed to give travelers more confidence when they’re away from hookups. Chris also explained how RVMP works with many major RV manufacturers while offering replacement installations for existing coaches, making upgrades easier for RV owners who want newer technology. To learn more about RVMP’s installed and portable generators, visit rvmp.co. You can also explore the Flex Power portable generator lineup at myflexpower.com, follow RVMP on YouTube and connect with the company on Instagram. That's all for this week's show. I am looking for people who are willing to share their RVing and Workamping experiences, good and bad, with the Workamper community. If you would like to talk about your adventures, I encourage you to schedule an interview with me at workampershow.com. We'd love to hear about your Workamping experiences, how you got started RVing, and what you love and dislike about the RVing lifestyle. Help others explore all the different ways to live this great lifestyle by sharing your story. If you are an employer of Workampers, we invite you to be on the podcast, too. Share all of the details of your Workamping jobs in a future episode. It only costs a little bit of your time. Schedule an interview with me today by going to workampershow.com. You'll find the schedule buttons at the bottom of the home page. Thanks for listening!

On this week's episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we head west to one of the most spectacular—and surprisingly diverse—RV destinations in the country and take a deep dive into […] The post RVing in Central Oregon: Campgrounds, Craft Beer, Food Culture, Outdoor Adventure + More! appeared first on The RV Atlas.

In this episode of Beyond The Wheel, we sit down with Stephanie Whittington, Senior Product Manager at Winnebago, to discuss one of the most anticipated adventure vehicles to hit the market: the all-new Winnebago ARKA. Stephanie shares the story behind the ARKA’s development, the growing adventure truck segment, and how Winnebago designed a vehicle capable of taking travelers farther off the grid while still delivering the comfort and convenience RV owners expect. From heated floors and hydronic heating to a massive lithium battery system and true four-wheel-drive capability, the ARKA is designed to be a self-contained basecamp for adventure. In This Episode Meet Stephanie Whittington • Senior Product Manager for Winnebago’s Backcountry Adventure Portfolio • Oversees: Revel EKKO ARKA • How her passion for camping, hiking, skiing, and full-time RVing influences product development What Is the Winnebago ARKA? • Winnebago’s first entry into the growing Adventure Truck category • Designed for travelers who want to venture far beyond traditional campgrounds • Combines off-road capability with premium residential comfort • Built as a true off-grid basecamp for extended adventures Why Winnebago Built the ARKA • Growing demand for more independence from campgrounds • Customer feedback drove much of the vehicle’s development • Designed for adventurers graduating from: Rooftop tent setups Truck campers Off-road trailers Overlanding rigs • Four years of development and testing before launch Chassis and Off-Road Capability • Built on the Ram 5500 diesel chassis • Available in: Standard cab Crew cab • True four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing • Zero-torsion frame design allows the coach and chassis to flex independently on rough terrain • Integrated inclinometer system through Winnebago Connect • Designed for remote campsites, trailheads, and backcountry exploration Comfort Meets Capability Stephanie explains how the ARKA balances ruggedness with luxury, including: • Heated hydronic floors • Four independently controlled heating zones • Continuous hot water • Single-fuel design powered entirely by diesel • Spacious interior with premium materials • Large refrigerator and ample counter space • Innovative hidden bath design • Massive shower for a vehicle of this size Flexible Sleeping Arrangements • Twin bed configuration • Queen bed configuration • King bed configuration • North-south sleeping layout • Molded roof design allows occupants to sit up comfortably in bed • Large windows and sky hatch for stargazing Off-Grid Power System Standard Overland Package Includes: • 8.4kWh Lithionics lithium battery • Expandable to 16.8kWh • EcoFlow Power Hub • 3.6kW inverter • 800 watts of roof-mounted solar • Expandable to 1,200 watts of solar • Three-alternator charging system • Ability to recharge from 10% to 100% in less than two hours of driving Climate Control and Four-Season Performance • Elwell Timberline 2.0 hydronic heating system • Heated floors • Heated tanks and plumbing • 20,000 BTU DC air conditioner • R-15 roof and floor insulation • R-12 wall insulation • Rated for temperatures from -10°F to 120°F Storage and Cargo Flexibility • Full-height rear gear garage • Modular U-shaped lounge and dinette system • L-track cargo tie-down system • Flexible storage for: Bikes Climbing gear Skis Snowboards Kayaks • Additional storage inside the crew cab Towing Capability • Tow rating up to 15,000 pounds • Ideal for: Jeeps Boats Side-by-sides Utility trailers Key Specifications at a Glance • Ram 5500 Diesel Chassis • Adventure Truck Platform • True 4WD with Low Range • 60-Gallon Fresh Water Capacity • Up to 16.8kWh Lithium Battery Capacity • Up to 1,200 Watts Solar • Heated Floors • Four-Season Capability • 15,000-Pound Tow Rating • Up to 26’7″ Overall Length (Crew Cab) To learn more about the Winnebago ARKA click here: https://www.winnebago.com/models/arka The post Inside the All-New Winnebago ARKA with Stephanie Whittington appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.The post Inside the All-New Winnebago ARKA with Stephanie Whittington appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

From planning an RV trip to Washington DC for America 250 to protecting yourself online, supporting a powerful nonprofit mission, and catching up with RVing Today, this episode is practical, inspiring, and timely.Plan an RV trip to Washington DC with Cherry Hill Park tips on transit, tickets, tours, heat, and America 250 events.  Protect your online life with RV WebSafe advice on Wi-Fi, passwords, banking alerts, scams, VPNs, and cyber safety.  Hear how One Dad's Mission supports Ronald McDonald House through fundraising, bike rides, and authentic partnerships.  Learn what's new with RVing Today as the show enters season 16 with expanded TV coverage and Tech Time segments. John talks with Jennifer Gurevich from Cherry Hill Park about RVing to Washington DC for America 250, using public transportation, planning museum visits, and avoiding city traffic.Jim sits down with Robert Mahaffey from RV WebSafe to discuss cybersecurity for RVers, including campground Wi-Fi, password habits, banking alerts, scam texts, and safer remote work practices.For The RV Entrepreneur, Rose and Glynn talk with Jeff Bekos of One Dad's Mission about his family's Ronald McDonald House experience, cross-country fundraising rides, and building nonprofit support with integrity.Bob wraps up with Jose Moniz, executive producer of RVing Today, on the show's 16th season, expanded station coverage, streaming options, and Jessica Ryder's new Tech Time segment.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife162/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

Today, I am speaking with a woman who is on her second stint of Workamping in Alaska with her family and enjoying an amazing experience. Jessie Watters is a full-time RVing mom of three who traded a traditional suburban lifestyle for a life of adventure, family travel and Workamping opportunities across the country. Just over a year ago, Jessie and her husband packed up their family, hit the road and began a journey that has already taken them from Alaska to Arizona and back again. In this episode, Jessie shares what it’s really like to raise three children in a 32-foot motorhome while managing campgrounds in some of Alaska’s most beautiful locations. She talks about the transition from a four-bedroom house to RV living, how Workamping has allowed her family to travel full time and why Alaska has captured their hearts. If you’ve ever wondered whether Workamping could work for a family with children, Jessie offers an honest look at the rewards and challenges. She explains how her kids are learning practical life skills on the road and why every day feels a little like a vacation. Workamping has given their family opportunities they never could have experienced otherwise. You’ll also hear about managing campgrounds for Alaska Recreational Management, living in bear country, boondocking in remote locations and navigating the famous Alaska Highway. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or just beginning to explore the Workamping lifestyle, Jessie provides plenty of inspiration to help you understand what might be possible if you follow in their footsteps. Jessie and her family didn’t wait until everything was perfect before pursuing their dream. They accepted a Workamping position before they even owned an RV and figured things out along the way. One of the themes that stood out in this conversation was the importance of embracing change. Jessie shared how downsizing their possessions, adapting to close quarters and learning new skills helped their family grow stronger together. She also reminded us that Workamping can provide opportunities to experience places and lifestyles that many people only dream about. I also appreciated her perspective on Alaska. While many RVers worry about the distance, cost and challenges of getting there, Jessie believes the experience is well worth it. From managing campgrounds in Cooper Landing to living among mountains, glaciers and wildlife, she has found a place that truly feels like home. Her advice for anyone considering the Workamping lifestyle is don’t be scared. Your home travels with you, and the opportunities can be life changing. To learn more about Jessie’s adventures, connect with her on Facebook at The Watters Way, where she regularly shares family travels, fishing trips, hiking adventures and life on the road. Today's episode is sponsored by Workamper News. Much more than just a job-listing website, when you put the tools of this professional service into action, you'll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality. A Workamper membership opens the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you'll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years. If you're serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then membership is for you. Join today at www.workamper.com. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you! That's all for this week's show. Next time I will be speaking with an employer about Workamping opportunities with their organization. I'll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thanks for listening!

The RV industry is chasing the wrong generation. While manufacturers court 30-somethings with outdoor TVs and influencer campaigns, the buyers who are actually writing checks right now look nothing like the people in the ads.Last week I sat around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio with 88 members of our RVCommunity. I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile hike. He was turning 70.That tells you everything the sales charts do not.In this episode we dig into who is really driving the RV market right now, what experienced RVers actually want that manufacturers keep missing, the quiet but alarming shift happening in our national parks, and a dramatic rescue on the Appalachian Trail that is a reminder of exactly why preparation matters out there.Read the companion blog post on RVing in the second half of life at RVLifestyle.com - link below.Here is the complete episode, start to finish.THE RV PODCAST - MONDAY NEWS EDITION Episode Air Date: Monday, June 23, 2026 - 6:00 AM Approx. Running Time: 25 Minutes Host: Mike WendlandTHE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVEL ...and why the RV industry keeps ignoring themOPENLast week I was sitting around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with about 50 members of our RVCommunity.com.I asked a simple question: how many of you have bought a brand new RV in the last year?Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile sunset hike - and he was turning 70 that summer.This was happening while the RV industry is posting some of the worst wholesale shipment numbers in over a decade.Which raises a question the people running this industry ought to be asking themselves: who exactly are they building RVs for?Because I can tell you who is actually buying them. And they look nothing like the people in the ads.OPENINGGood morning and welcome to the RV Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland.Eighteen Emmy Awards. Thirty-plus years covering everything from wars to the White House to consumer affairs. And for the past 15 years, living the RV lifestyle myself with my wife Jennifer in every type of rig you can imagine, coast to coast, all 48 contiguous states.Today's show is a little different. Instead of leading with a breaking story, I want to start with something I witnessed firsthand that I believe tells you more about the real state of the RV market than any press release you will read this year.And if you want to go deeper after you listen, I have been writing about this topic at RVLifestyle.com for the past several weeks. We have been exploring what it means to RV in the second half of life - the freedom, the community, the mindset, and yes, the ways the industry keeps getting it wrong. There is a link in the show notes. I think you will recognize yourself in it.Here is what is happening on the road. And here is what the industry is getting wrong. Let's get into it.LEAD STORY: THE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVELThe RV industry is having a rough year. A really rough year. And the numbers tell the story fast, so let me give them to you and move on, because the real story is not the numbers. The real story is who is still out there buying and camping while those numbers grind downward.Wholesale shipments are down more than 13 percent through the first four months of 2026. Retail sales off 14 to 15 percent from last year. The industry's own forecast, just revised downward again this month, now projects this as one of the worst years for new RV sales in over a decade.So who is still buying?Here is what I can tell you from 15 years in this world and from what I saw last week in Hocking Hills. The people who are still writing checks for new RVs, right now, in the worst market in a decade, are the people the industry seems most determined to pretend do not exist.Baby Boomers. Older Gen Xers. People who grew up reading paper maps. Making reservations by phone. Talking to strangers when they got lost. Fixing things with their hands. Navigating real uncertainty with nothing but experience and nerve.According to industry research, Americans 50 and older remain the primary customer segment for RVs. Many are retirees fulfilling long-held travel dreams, and that population is still growing as the tail end of the baby boom ages into retirement. These are people with home equity, disposable income, and something even more valuable: the time and the confidence to actually use what they buy.And yet when you look at the ads. When you watch the Go RVing campaigns. When you walk the floor of any major RV show and look at the marketing materials stacked at the booths. You see toned and trendy 30-year-olds doing yoga on the roof of a Class B. You see influencers with ring lights and perfect hair. What you do not see is the 68-year-old retired engineer who just dropped $95,000 on a new fifth wheel and is headed to Alaska.That is a real blind spot. And I think it is costing the industry real money.Here is what I saw at our Hocking Hills rally. Eighty-eight people, ranging from their 50s into their 80s. Riding bikes and e-bikes and scooters. Hiking up and down some of the most spectacular terrain in the Midwest. One of our members, a retired RV technician, got under a fellow member's trailer and repacked the wheel bearings on the spot. Another couple spent an afternoon giving scooter lessons to anyone who wanted to learn.Nobody was stuck. Nobody was panicking. When something broke, someone fixed it. When someone needed help, someone helped them. These are people who grew up problem-solving before there was an app for it. And they brought every one of those skills out here.I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. Twelve if you count the man who was out on a six-mile hike at 70 years old.This is happening while the industry chases 33-year-olds with solar panels and TikTok aesthetics.I am not saying younger buyers are not important. They are the future and we need them. But the marketing case being made inside RV boardrooms right now, that the 50-plus buyer is yesterday's news, is demonstrably wrong. And in a market this soft, you cannot afford to ignore your most reliable customer.I wrote about this at length over at RVLifestyle.com. It is part of an ongoing series we have been running on RVing in the second half of life. The link is in the show notes. If today's lead story speaks to you, that post will too.STORY 2: WHO IS ACTUALLY DRIVING THE MARKETThe demographic picture of who owns and buys RVs is more complicated than the ads suggest, and it is worth understanding.The median age of RV owners has come down in recent years. Younger buyers were absolutely part of the pandemic surge. Millennials and Gen Z now represent roughly 22 percent of RV owners - the same share as Baby Boomers - which tells you something about how quickly the demographics shifted during COVID.But here is what the industry sometimes misses in that data. Younger buyers came in during a period of historically low interest rates, flush pandemic savings, and work-from-home flexibility. Those conditions no longer exist. The buyers who are proving most resilient in this market are the ones who are not dependent on 7 percent financing to make the purchase work.Industry analyst Earl Hunter Jr., founder of The Unity Folks, put it bluntly in a recent trade publication outlook piece. He said the biggest trend in the RV industry right now is, simply, lack of growth. And that the industry has not figured out why emerging demographics and nontraditional consumers have little to no interest in the RV lifestyle.That is a real problem worth solving. But while the industry works on reaching new audiences, there is a generation of experienced, well-capitalized, deeply motivated buyers out on the road right now who built this market and are still carrying it. They deserve a little more respect than a supporting role in someone else's marketing story.STORY 3: WHAT EXPERIENCED RVers ACTUALLY WANT - AND WHAT MANUFACTURERS KEEP MISSINGI want to tell you one more thing from Hocking Hills, because I think it reveals something important about the disconnect between what the industry is building and what experienced RVers actually need.During our campfire conversation, I asked people what features they most use in their current rigs. What do they love. What they would change.Nobody mentioned outdoor TVs. Not one person. This is notable because outdoor entertainment has been one of the most aggressively marketed RV features of the last several years. Manufacturers have been loading up rigs with outdoor TVs, outdoor kitchens, outdoor speakers. The assumption is that RVers want to recreate the suburban living room experience outside.Our members were out hiking six miles. They were packed into a campfire circle talking to each other. They were fixing each other's trailers. The last thing they wanted was a television.What did they talk about wanting? Better towing stability. Improved service networks. Simpler systems that do not require a software update to turn on the hot water. Quality that lasts. And dealers who actually know the products they are selling.These are people with decades of RV miles behind them. They know exactly what they need and exactly what they do not. When you have that kind of experience, you stop being impressed by features and start being impressed by reliability.The industry could learn a lot by listening more carefully to the people who have been doing this the longest....

Today I am speaking with a solo RVer who has been on the road for many years, but completed one year of traveling that really broke her open so much so that she wrote a book about the experience. Kristy Halvorsen is a solo traveler whose journey has taken her across every state in the nation, nearly every Canadian province and into some of the most remote places in North America. She made an appearance earlier on this show in December 2022. Kristy spent almost nine years living and traveling full time in a 28-foot Airstream and embracing a lifestyle she describes as “coddiwompling.” It is a term which means traveling without a fixed destination or detailed plan. In this episode, Kristy shares stories from what she calls the most transformative year of her travels. It was a journey that inspired her book titled “Perfect Unfolding: Seven Years of Life-Changing Solo Adventure, One Year That Broke Me Open.” Along the way, she traveled to Labrador and Newfoundland, and faced serious health challenges while camping alone in remote wilderness areas. Kristy discovered valuable lessons about resilience, trust and the kindness of strangers. Kristy also talks about the realities of solo travel, what she has learned from nearly a decade on the road and why she believes some of life’s greatest adventures begin when we stop trying to control every detail. Her stories remind us that the road is about much more than just destinations. It’s about the people we meet, the challenges we overcome and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside our comfort zones. She also offered a refreshing reminder that independence does not mean doing everything alone. Instead, true freedom often comes from recognizing how interconnected we all are and why we must be willing to accept help when it arrives. For anyone considering a full-time RV lifestyle, Kristy noted that you do not need every detail figured out before you begin. Start the journey, give yourself time to learn and allow the experience to reveal what kind of traveler you want to become. If you’d like to learn more about Kristy, her travels or her book, visit perfectunfolding.com. You can also follow her on Instagram and learn more about her mentoring and coaching services at kristyh.com. This episode is sponsored by Workamper News. If you have more questions than answers when it comes to the Workamping and RVing lifestyle, then Workamper News can help. Listen to their free Workamping Q&A videos to get your questions answered.  Each video answers questions submitted by folks, just like you, who are learning about the RV lifestyle, just getting started, or have been Workamping for a while. The videos cover topics like what kind of Workamping jobs are out there, what do these jobs pay, tips for writing your Workamper resume, questions to ask an employer, what type of RV is best, how to get your mail as an RVer, and much more! Listen to detailed answers now by watching the videos at workamper.com/answers. In the description of each video, you'll find a list of questions that were answered so you can quickly jump to the answers you want to hear. Check out the free Workamping Q&A videos to get your questions answered today. That's all for this week's show. Next time, I will be speaking with another Workamper who is in her second season of Workamping in Alaska with her husband and three children. I'll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening, and if you like this interview, please share it with someone contemplating the Workamping lifestyle.

What should every RVer carry in their first aid kit? What medical emergencies are most common on the road? And when is a health issue serious enough to seek immediate help?This week on Episode 616 of the RV Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Richard Raborn, a retired physician, lifelong RVer, and member of our RV Lifestyle Community. Dr. Raborn shares practical, real-world medical advice for RV travelers, including how to prepare for health emergencies, what medications and supplies belong in your RV, and how to stay safe when you're far from home. It's one of the most useful conversations we've had for anyone who travels by RV.We also tackle two listener questions that many RVers will relate to:• Linda and Don, both recently retired, want to buy an RV and travel the country, but their adult children think they're crazy. Jennifer explains why your late 60s may actually be the perfect time to embrace the RV lifestyle and why waiting for "someday" can be the bigger risk.• Gary from Tennessee wonders whether the 200-watt solar package on his new travel trailer really makes him "energy independent." Mike breaks down the truth about RV solar systems, batteries, inverters, and why many RV buyers are getting an unrealistic picture of what factory-installed solar can actually do.Plus, we share an update as we pack for our RVCommunity.com Summer Rally in Hocking Hills, Ohio, and talk about why the friendships formed through RVing may be the greatest benefit of the lifestyle.In this episode:✓ Dr. Richard Raborn's RV medical preparedness tips✓ What belongs in an RV first aid kit✓ How to handle medical issues on the road✓ Is 68 too old to start RVing?✓ Why RV travel may be ideal for retirees✓ The truth about RV solar marketing claims✓ Battery banks, inverters, and boondocking explained✓ RV Community updates and rally newsFor complete show notes, visit RVPodcast.com.Subscribe to our free daily newsletter and get RV tips, travel ideas, news, and inspiration delivered to your inbox every morning by 7:30 AM at RVLifestyle.com/newsletter.

From Cape Cod beaches and bike trails to practical boondocking wisdom, an independent film tour by RV, and camping trends shaped by younger travelers, this episode celebrates freedom, flexibility, and the people who make RV life meaningful.Discover why Cape Cod is more than summer crowds, with beaches, bike trails, whale watching, seafood, and shoulder season camping.  Learn practical RV advice from Gone With John on safety, budgeting, boondocking, and starting before everything feels perfect.  Hear how Jack and Claire Kennedy are taking their independent film You Are Here on tour with their family in an RV.  Understand how younger campers, glamping, events, and device-free connection are shaping the future of campgrounds. Discover RV travel on the Cape with Liz Di Giralamo from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce – from seafood and beaches to bike trails, whale watching, and shoulder season stays.John Kaufman from Gone With John provides practical advice from more than 40 years of RV travel, including safety routines, budgeting, boondocking, and why new RVers should not wait for perfection.Jack and Claire Kennedy discuss their independent film You Are Here and how they're taking it on a 25-city RV tour with kids, dogs, and a whole lot of creative hustle.Plus,  campground consultant Sandy Ellison shares trends in younger campers, glamping, themed weekends, and the growing desire to disconnect from devices and reconnect in person.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife161/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

On this week's episode of The RV Atlas podcast, we celebrate a major milestone: 75 years of Delaware State Parks. To mark the occasion, we're joined by Alex Hannah, who […] The post RVing in “The First State” and Celebrating 75 Years of Delaware State Parks appeared first on The RV Atlas.

This week on Beyond The Wheel, Kenny and Sean dive into what they're seeing across the RV industry as the 2026 travel season ramps up. From shifting buyer behavior and changing campground trends to the rise of off-grid adventure rigs, this episode explores where the RV market stands right now and where it may be headed next. The conversation covers everything from dealer inventory and financing pressures to reservation fatigue, dry camping growth, and whether RVs are becoming too complicated with modern technology. Kenny also shares thoughts from recent time spent around the all-new Winnebago ARKA and the growing demand for true adventure-focused RVs. Topics in this episode include: Reactions to the Winnebago ARKA after Overland Expo Sean's recent outdoor adventure trip Current shifts in RV buyer behavior Dealer inventory, pricing, and negotiating leverage Financing rates and affordability concerns The used RV market reset Why premium adventure rigs continue to grow The rise of solar, lithium, internet connectivity, and off-grid capability Whether RVs are becoming too dependent on technology Campground reservation fatigue and rising camping costs Love's, Flying J, casinos, public land, and overnight travel strategies How social media is shaping RV expectations Why smaller RVs and vans continue gaining popularity Factory lithium, larger battery systems, and the off-grid power race Towables still dominating overall RV sales Why manufacturers may finally be listening more closely to customer feedback The episode also includes predictions for where the industry could be heading next, including affordability concerns, younger buyers entering RVing differently, and whether simpler RVs may eventually make a comeback. Questions discussed during the show: Would you buy new or used right now? Are campgrounds becoming too expensive? What RV trend are you tired of? Would you prioritize luxury or capability? Are RVs becoming too tech-heavy? Thanks for listening to Beyond The Wheel. If you enjoy the show, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with fellow RVers and travelers. Safe travels. The post Driver's Edition – State of the RV Market & Industry Trends appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.The post Driver's Edition – State of the RV Market & Industry Trends appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

Get 30% off your next rv mattress with code RVMILES at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles The RV industry is sending some warning signs right now. Dealers are openly talking about a “structural change” in the RV business as sales continue slowing, RV shipments fall again, and affordability becomes a growing concern for buyers. This week we break down what some of the biggest dealership groups in America are saying about the future of RVing — and why used RV sales are suddenly outperforming new ones. We also cover: • New RV solar safety rules coming in 2026 • Sun Communities selling off its UK campground business • Major upgrades to Campground Views and Campendium Watch the full RV Business Power Breakfast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxpbzf-GMiE&t=7152s *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism

Explore four-season RV travel in Maine, support for retired RVers at Escapees CARE, mail management for full-timers, and trusted RV owner education.Explore Maine's coastline, mountains, lakes, forests, and four-season camping with Kathy Dyer from the Maine Campground Owners Association. Discover how Escapees CARE helps retired RVers age in place, recover, and stay supported while living in their own RVs. Learn how Vern Six turned full-time RV mail headaches into Circle 6 Mail Drop, a flexible mail service built for travelers. Hear why Mark Polk of RV Education 101 says trusted, human RV training still matters for safety, maintenance, and confidence.Kathy Dyer from the Maine Campground Owners Association shares why Maine is more than a summer destination, with coastal camping, mountains, lakes, forests, rustic parks, resorts, and even winter RVing.Dave Condit and Crystal Saulters explain how Escapees CARE in Livingston, Texas supports retired RVers who want to age in place, recover from surgery, or transition safely while staying in their own RVs.Vern Six discusses mail management when full-time RVing and how Circle 6 Mail Drop helps travelers receive, scan, forward, shred, and manage mail from the road.Mark Polk of RV Education 101 talks about nearly 27 years of consumer RV training, online courses, trusted technical education, and why real-world expertise still matters.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife160/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

Today I am speaking with an RVer who redesigned his entire life after a brutal fall required him to learn to  walk, write, speak and even swallow all over again. But, it opened the door for him to become a Workamper for a family-owned RV dealership working as a service advisor. Jim Bartleman thought he had life figured out. He was working as a service advisor in the automotive industry, planning for the future and preparing to eventually hit the road in an RV. But, everything changed in an instant after a devastating accident left him in a medically-induced coma and forced him to relearn how to walk, talk, read and swallow. Instead of giving up, Jim used that life-changing experience as motivation to completely redesign his life around what mattered most to him. Today, he and his girlfriend, Caryl Kinney, live fulltime in a Class C motorhome, Workamping at campgrounds in Texas during the winter and working seasonally at a New York RV dealership during the summer. In this episode, Jim shares how he turned a frightening setback into a new beginning. He also talks about why more RV dealers should hire Workampers and how the RV lifestyle has allowed him to reconnect with family, travel the country and focus on experiences instead of accumulating possessions. Jim shares his experiences dry camping under massive desert skies and learning French at a campground filled with Canadian snowbirds. Jimmy Bartleman and a donkey, George, he met at a Hipcamp farm. Based on his experiences, Jim explains why people should stop waiting until retirement to start living the life they want. Whether he is working seasonally at an RV dealership or serving as a camp host in Texas, Jim found a way to combine his passion for helping people with a lifestyle built around travel, flexibility and meaningful experiences. Along the way, he discovered the value of Workamping and the freedom that comes with full-time RV living as well as the importance of making memories while you still can. Jim also shared practical advice for new RVers and explained why smaller RVs can offer more flexibility. He talked about the growing number of younger people embracing the Workamping lifestyle long before retirement age. If you would like to follow Jim's adventures or connect with him directly, you can find him on Instagram or on Facebook. Most Workampers, like Jim, have interesting stories to tell about their travels and experiences. If you would you like to be featured in an upcoming episode of The Workamper Show, I encourage you to schedule an interview with me at workampershow.com. We'd love to hear about your Workamping experiences, how you got started RVing, and what you love and dislike about the RVing lifestyle. You can help others explore all the different ways to live this great lifestyle by sharing your story. If you are an employer of Workampers, we invite you to be on the podcast, too. Share all of the details of your Workamping jobs in a future episode. It only costs a little bit of your time. Schedule an interview with me today by going to workampershow.com. You'll find the schedule buttons at the bottom of the home page. That's all for this week's show. I'll have another fun interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. If you like these interviews, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes. Thanks for listening.

Good morning, and welcome to the RV Lifestyle Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland - journalist, multi-Emmy Award-winning reporter, and a guy who's been living the RV lifestyle for more than 15 years.This week, something a little different.Over the past few months, we've been getting a steady stream of listener questions and feedback about some bigger, harder topics. Not just "where should I camp next" stuff. Real questions about the state of the RV industry, about prices, about quality, about the future of our National Parks, and about whether social media is selling people a fantasy version of this lifestyle that doesn't match reality.So today, I'm going to tackle seven of the biggest ones head-on.No spin. No cheerleading. Just straight talk - the same way I tried to do things in a thirty-plus year journalism career.This is the Monday News Edition of the RV Lifestyle Podcast, dropping every Monday morning at 6 AM with news, industry developments, campground updates, and National Park happenings that matter to RV owners and travelers. It's one of two episodes we do each week. Jennifer joins me every Wednesday on Stories from the Road, with destinations, interviews, and your questions.► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place.You will find it all https://rvlifestyle.com/plan

Last week, Jennifer and I got brutally honest about some of the dumbest, most expensive, and most embarrassing mistakes we've made in 15 years of RVing. We talked about broken gear, costly blunders, rookie mistakes, and the kind of RV disasters that make you want to crawl under the camper and hide.And wow... did that strike a nerve.RVers from all over the country wrote in with stories of their own. Bent tailgates. Sewage explosions. Torn awnings. Backing disasters. Fuel mistakes. Near misses. And plenty of “please tell me nobody saw that” moments.So this week, Misery Loves Company.In this episode of the RV Podcast, we're sharing some of the funniest, most cringe-worthy, and painfully relatable RV mistakes sent in by fellow RVers, along with what caused them, what they learned, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes yourself.If you've ever:• Dumped your tanks wrong• Forgotten to retract something before driving away• Misjudged a turn or campsite• Backed into something• Made an expensive RV mistake you'll never admit publicly......this episode is for you.Because every RVer has a story. Usually more than one.Plus in this episode:• RV tips to help you avoid costly mistakes• Listener stories from the road• Smart lessons learned the hard way• A few laughs at our own expenseListen now and discover why sometimes the best RV lessons come from the worst RV mistakes.#RVLife #RVPodcast #RVMistakes #CampingFails #RVLiving #FifthWheel #Motorhome #TravelTrailer #RVTips #FullTimeRV

From van festivals and healing journeys to building a business on the road and turning RV influence into products, this episode explores how community, resilience, and entrepreneurship shape modern RV life.Discover how VanFest brings van lifers, skoolies, and nomads together to build real community on the East Coast. Hear how one RVer navigates serious cancer treatment while staying mobile, organized, and committed to life on the road. Learn what it looks like to build a virtual assistant business from scratch while living full-time in an RV. Get an inside look at how Matt Foxcroft is growing his RV brand from reviews into nationwide product lines.John talks with Lance Wilkinson, founder of VanFest, about building community through van gatherings along the East Coast. It is a look at how a simple event became a reunion point for nomads of every kind.Then Jim and Rene sit down with Keith Wadsworth, who shares how cancer changed his life and led him into full-time RVing. His story is honest, practical, and deeply inspiring for anyone facing health challenges on the road.Rose and Glynn talk with Kelsie Rozendaal about launching a virtual assistant business while living full-time in an RV and caregiving at home. She offers a real-time look at entrepreneurship in the messy middle.Bob wraps up with Matt Foxcroft of Matt's RV Reviews, who explains how he turned audience trust into a growing product business. It is a fascinating look at content, retail, and influence in the RV space.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife159/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

RV black tank problems, grey tank odors, and dump station mistakes are all part of RV life, but they do not have to ruin your camping experience. In this episode of RV Out West, Mark from Kleen Tanks joins the show to talk about one of the most important parts of RV maintenance and ownership, caring for your grey and black tanks properly.Mark shares years of experience working on RV waste systems and explains the simple habits that can help prevent clogs, odors, sensor issues, and expensive repairs. We talk about common mistakes RV owners make, the myths surrounding tank chemicals and treatments, and what really works when it comes to keeping your RV tanks clean and functioning correctly.This conversation also includes some unbelievable stories from the dirty side of RVing. From major tank disasters to avoidable dump station mishaps, these stories are entertaining, educational, and a reminder that proper tank maintenance matters more than most RVers realize.If you own a travel trailer, fifth wheel, motorhome, or camper van, this episode is packed with practical RV maintenance tips that can save you money, reduce frustration, and help you avoid nasty situations on the road. You will walk away with a better understanding of RV holding tank care, proper dumping techniques, and the best ways to maintain a cleaner and healthier RV waste system.Send us Fan MailSign up for our NewsletterPlease follow the show so you never miss an episode. We ask that you also kindly give the show a rating and a review as well.Learn more about RV Out West over on our website at www.rvoutwest.comJoin in on the conversation via social media:InstagramFacebook

In this episdoe, Kimberly talks with Jennifer Schillaci about her family's full-time RV journey, which began in 2013 after she initially resisted the idea, and has continued into its 14th year. She and her husband Frank travel for RV Roofing Solutions, primarily attending rallies and doing installs, while also running the Learn to RV ecosystem, including a podcast (three episodes weekly), free community groups, a rally calendar, and an upcoming course launching May 15, plus planned merch. She describes the realities of RV life—breakdowns, shifting travel patterns, and post-2020 challenges in making friends, especially as a mom in her 50s with teens. Jennifer emphasizes that connection and community are central to sustaining the lifestyle, encourages intentional friendliness, and explains how virtual tools and local activities help families and kids stay connected.Connect with Jennifer Schillaci:https://www.learntorv.com/https://www.learntorvthepodcast.com/https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com/Are you a digital nomad or want to be?  Check out the Anchored in Freedom Summit for FREE: https://AnchoredinFreedomSummit.comTimestamps:00:00 Meet Jennifer Schillaci00:43 Texas Stop and Rally Life02:33 RV Roofing and Learn to RV03:10 Launching the Learn to RV Course04:51 How Full Time RVing Began07:35 Hard Days and Staying Connected09:09 Teens on the Road11:19 Seven Kids and RV Upgrades14:13 Best Parts of the Lifestyle16:00 Finding Community on the Road18:38 Pickleball and Rally Fun19:19 Judgment Free Karaoke20:30 Seasonal Stays and Travel Pace21:23 Rallies and Content Hustle22:26 Running Two RV Businesses24:33 Monetizing Learn to RV25:42 Events Crowding and Industry Shift28:16 Virtual Education and Trust29:59 Community Spotlight Stories32:15 Building Groups and Rally Calendar34:48 Finding Your People36:25 Friendship and Loving People39:10 Kids Connections on the Road40:58 Where to Find Jennifer41:35 Wrap Up and ThanksJoin the conversation: Come hang out with us in the Living the Good Life Facebook community for:Episode previewsBonus contentGuest Q&A opportunitiesA community of people choosing to live with more intention and joyJoin the Living the Good Life FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LTGLCommunityEvery episode proudly sponsored by http://SwitchtoUSAMade.comContact Kimberly Henrie at https://livingthegoodlife.us/If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to leave a review or share it with someone who might need a little nudge toward their own version of the good life.

We've made a lot of RV mistakes over the years… but these eight? They cost us a jaw-dropping $26,000.In this episode, we're getting real and sharing the costly, embarrassing, and sometimes downright scary mistakes we've made on the road, from a $16,000 fuel disaster to a tailgate crunch, a campsite mishap, and one very icy near-disaster that could have ended much worse.The truth is, none of these were bad luck. Every single one was preventable.If you're new to RVing, or even if you've been doing it for years, these lessons could save you thousands of dollars, a whole lot of stress, and maybe even your safety.Here's what we cover:• The $16,000 fueling mistake that forced us to replace our truck• A simple hookup error that cost $7,000 in seconds• Why rushing into a campsite can cost you big• The embarrassing backing mistake in front of a crowd• How ignoring the weather almost tipped our fifth wheel• Why driving too far leads to costly decisions• The checklist mistake that shattered a window• The fuel habit that nearly left us strandedAnd the big takeaway? RVing isn't hard… but it is unforgiving if you're not paying attention.Learn from our mistakes so you don't have to pay for them.Also in this episode"Travel tips to make your next trip smootherOur RV Question of the Week, with a practical answer you can use right away to save on fuel costs (especially diesel)A featured RV destination to inspire your next adventure- The Great Lakes Shoreline TourRESOURCES MENTIONED:The RV Trip Dashboard app we made - https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboard Our May 14 workshop on Fixing Problems on the Road - https://rvlifestyle.com/workshopDeparture Day Checklist - https://rvlifestyle.com//DepartureAppThe Great Lakes Shoreline Travel Guide - https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboardhttps://gasguddy.comhttps://gasguru.comhttps://truckerpath.comhttps://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboardGet a free quote from Wholesale Warranties: https://wholesalewarranties.com/rvlif... Find unique overnight spots at farms, ranches, wineries, and more - use code RVLDEAL for 40% off: https://RVLifestyle.com/rvovernights

Celebrate National Bike Month with this episode focused on exploring the Pacific Northwest by bike while RVing. After recent time spent paddling and hiking, we shift into cycling and highlight some of the best bike trails and multi-use paths across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. From scenic rail trails and river paths to long-distance routes, we share standout places to ride and how bikes can expand your travel experience at every stop.This episode also includes a full, honest review of our Lectric eBikes after two years of real-world use. We cover what we like, where we have had challenges, and how these e-bikes have fit into our everyday rides and camping trips. In addition, we share practical tips for riding and caring for an eBike, including battery habits, basic maintenance, and things to keep in mind when planning your rides.National Bike Month, led by the League of American Bicyclists, encourages more people to get out and ride while supporting safer streets and better infrastructure. If you are looking for inspiration, trail ideas, and real-life insight into using bikes on the road, this episode is a great place to start planning your next ride.Send us Fan MailSign up for our NewsletterPlease follow the show so you never miss an episode. We ask that you also kindly give the show a rating and a review as well.Learn more about RV Out West over on our website at www.rvoutwest.comJoin in on the conversation via social media:InstagramFacebook

What does it look like to trade a four-acre homestead and a 35-year postal career for life on the road in a vintage 1999 diesel pusher named Elsa?In this episode, Kimberly sits down with full-time RVers Kelly Freeman and Dane Mulligan — a musician-jewelry-maker duo who spent nearly five years traveling coast to coast, playing Harley dealerships, staying at Harvest Hosts, surviving ice storms, and discovering that the best adventures are the ones you never planned. From ghost encounters in Civil War country to a pitch-black night at the Grand Canyon, this conversation is warm, funny, and deeply real. Dane also shares what's next for his band Opium Western, currently recording at The Mansion in Branson, and Kelly reveals her dream of opening a jewelry shop in Eureka Springs.Song credits:Make Me Love ULyrics and music: DaneMusic Dane and Steve FroeseRecorded at Mansion StudiosBranson, MOFeb 2026Engineered, mixed and co-produced by Christopher OmartianTimestamps:0:00 – Introduction — Meet Kelly Freeman and Dane Mulligan, full-time RVers and creative couple now based in the Ozarks.0:27 – Life on the Road — Elsa the '99 Safari Zanzibar, full-time RVing since 2021, and why the Ozarks became home base.4:57 – How It All Started — COVID as a fork in the road, Kelly's retirement from the Postal Service, and how Craigslist led them to Elsa.8:22 – Dane's Music Career — Ten years playing the region, van life before the RV, and how music drove the whole journey.22:02 – The Sound of Dane Mulligan — Kelly describes Dane's music, the tone-chasing obsession, and why his classic rock makes you wanna dance.25:06 – Gigging on the Road — Boondocking behind clubs, Harley dealerships as a touring circuit, and the providence of the road.43:45 – Favorite Places & Adventures — The Grand Canyon at sunset, Tombstone at midnight, ghost encounters in Cleveland TN, and getting trapped in the Crescent Hotel elevator.58:58 – Where to Find Dane & Kelly — Opium Western's upcoming record, danemulligan.com, Soul Creations jewelry, and the dream Eureka Springs shop.Links & Resources mentioned:Dane Mulligan music & Opium Western: http://danemulligan.comKelly's jewelry: Soul Creations by K. Dawn — find her at Dane's showsRecording at The Mansion, Branson, MO (formerly the Wayne Newton Theater)Harvest Hosts: http://harvesthosts.comBB King Museum, Indianola, MS — a top Harvest Host stopCrazy Craig's Tree House, Branson, MOCrescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, AR — ghost tours on the 4th floorAtkins Automotive, Cleveland, TN — shoutout to Dwayne!Are you a digital nomad or want to be?  Check out http://AnchoredinFreedomSummit.comJoin the conversation: Come hang out with us in the Living the Good Life Facebook community for:Episode previewsBonus contentGuest Q&A opportunitiesA community of people choosing to live with more intention and joyJoin the Living the Good Life FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LTGLCommunityEvery episode proudly sponsored by http://SwitchtoUSAMade.comContact Kimberly Henrie at https://livingthegoodlife.us/If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to leave a review or share it with someone who might need a little nudge toward their own version of the good life.

What happens between the big RV rallies? That is where the real magic often begins.In this episode, we talk with RVer Jeff Neumann about the growing trend of mini meetups, those small, informal gatherings organized by everyday RVers that are quietly transforming the lifestyle. These casual get-togethers are helping people build deeper friendships, stay connected on the road, and turn quick festival encounters into lasting relationships.We will explore how mini meetups work, why they are becoming so popular, and how you can find or start one yourself no matter where your travels take you.Plus in this episode:Travel tips to make your next trip smootherOur RV Question of the Week, with a practical answer you can use right awayA featured RV destination to inspire your next adventureIf you have ever felt like the best part of RVing is the people you meet, this episode will show you how to keep those connections going long after the rally ends.Subscribe, share, and join us as we celebrate the friendships that make the RV lifestyle so special.

From a campground revival in upstate New York to smarter towing, RV dealership growth, and vintage Airstream restoration, this episode delivers practical insight, business perspective, and a strong reminder that craftsmanship and community still matter in RV life.Discover how a new owner is renovating a classic New York campground, building community, and creating rally weekends for modern RVers.  Learn practical towing advice on fifth wheels, sway control, hitch setup, and the maintenance mistakes that can cause major trouble.  Hear how one Canadian dealership grew through customer-first service and why destination camping is rising again.  See why vintage Airstream owners wait years for expert restorations that bring craftsmanship and old trailers back to life.John talks with John Thatcher about buying Shady Oaks Camping Resort in Plattsburgh, New York, renovating an older campground, and building a strong seasonal camping community.Then Jim and Rene sit down with towing expert Dave Helgeson for practical advice on fifth wheels versus travel trailers, sway, hitch setup, and must-do brake and bearing maintenance.Rose and Glynn speak with Keith Barrick about growing one of Canada's fastest-growing RV dealerships, customer-first sales, and launching a new destination resort project.Plus, Bob talks with Jim Roy of Silver Moose Restorations about custom Airstream rebuilds, long waitlists, and the craftsmanship behind every restoration.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife158/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

This week, I am speaking with a couple who made the leap into full-time RV living after raising their family and deciding it was time for a new chapter. Alan Sneed spent 30 years in the Department of Defense and the military, while his wife, Kim, built a career in school district communications and now works remotely in the architectural field. In this conversation, Alan and Kim share how they transitioned into Workamping about a year after going full-time on the road and why the lifestyle appealed to them. Alan explains how Workamping keeps him active while giving them the freedom to travel, and Kim offers insight into balancing a remote career with life in an RV. They also talk about choosing locations, what types of jobs they look for and how they prioritize flexibility over long work hours. You will hear about their favorite destinations, including time spent in Colorado, how they manage connectivity with tools like Starlink and cellular service and what they look for when evaluating potential Workamping opportunities. They also discuss the importance of communication with employers, setting expectations and finding the right fit for their lifestyle. If you have ever considered Workamping or full-time RV living, Alan and Kim provide a practical and honest look at what it takes to make it work and how to enjoy the journey along the way. Rather than rushing from place to place, they focus on moving slowly, staying long enough to explore each area and choosing jobs that allow them to maintain flexibility. For them, Workamping is less about working full-time and more about creating a balanced life that includes travel, meaningful experiences and time together. Alan emphasized the importance of treating the job interview process as a two-way conversation, making sure expectations are clear on both sides. From asking about equipment and job duties to understanding the work schedule, those early conversations can make or break the experience. Kim added that communication is just as important when traveling as a couple, especially when one partner is working remotely. They also highlighted the value of being selective when choosing positions by looking for opportunities that offer a full hookup site and reasonable hours, while avoiding roles that demand too much time. If you would like to follow Alan and Kim's journey, you can find them online through their brand 99 Adventures RV.  They share their experiences about Workamping, full-time RV living and travel tips on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Today's episode is sponsored by Workamper News. Much more than just a job-listing website, when you put the tools of this professional service into action, you'll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality. A Workamper membership opens the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you'll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years. If you're serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then membership is for you. Join today at www.workamper.com. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you! That's all for this week's show. Next time I will be speaking with a woman who had been full-time RVing with her family for several years. Today she helps RVers develop businesses of their own by becoming Fireside RV Rental franchisees. I will have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening!

Jason and Abby answer a listener question about affordable travel-day lunches before discussing common RV purchases new RVers don't need to buy immediately: RV-specific toilet paper, pricey hiking boots/outdoor clothing, tent-camping gadgets, camping memberships, and more. Plus, one state is getting 3 new state parks, while another is shuttering state park campgrounds to keep their system afloat.  *Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/406 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism

Today I am speaking with a wine expert from Nova Scotia who has some great insight on places to visit and how wine can make your journey even more enjoyable. Amy Savoury is a certified sommelier who shares how this coastal Canadian province has quietly become one of the most unique wine regions in North America. She explains the fascinating history of wine in Nova Scotia, dating back to the early 1600s, and how today's growers have adapted to a cool climate to produce wines you won't find anywhere else. She also talks about what makes the region so appealing for Workampers and RVers, from its easy-to-navigate layout to the opportunity to visit multiple small, family-owned wineries in a single day. If you are a wine aficionado and have ever wondered how geography, climate and even ocean tides can influence what ends up in your glass, you will enjoy this conversation. And, if you are visiting or Workamping in New England, this episode will entice you to travel north to Nova Scotia for an incredible experience. From the influence of coastal climates to the creativity of small, independent wineries, this is a place where travelers can slow down and truly connect with the land and the people. Amy also reminded us that wine is a journey, and the best way to learn is to stay curious by trying new types, and talking to the people who grow and produce it. For RVers, Nova Scotia offers an easy-to-explore region with plenty of campgrounds, scenic drives, and opportunities to visit multiple wineries without traveling far. If you'd like to learn more, plan a trip, or explore winery tours and discover fun itineraries, you can find everything you need at novascotia.com. Today's episode is sponsored by Workamper News. Much more than just a job-listing website, when you put the tools of this professional service into action, you'll find out just how easy it can be to turn your Workamping dreams into reality. A Workamper membership opens the door to a one-stop-shop for all-things Workamping. Being the original resource for Workamping, you'll find the largest number of job listings, be able to connect with a community of Workampers, and view resources compiled by experts who have been enjoying the RV lifestyle for many years. If you're serious about leading a successful and enjoyable Workamping lifestyle, then membership is for you. Join today at www.workamper.com. Embark on new adventures today with the support of Workamper News behind you! That's all for this week's show. Next time, I will be speaking with a Workamping couple who have been full-time RVing for several years. They have great stories to share and I'll have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show. Thank you for listening.

Episode 600 of the RV Podcast is here, and we are marking the milestone with a packed episode.Mike and Jennifer are on the road near Gainesville, Florida, prepping for their spring rally with RVCommunity.com members in St. Augustine, and they have a lot to share.First, Love's Travel Stops has been quietly building something big for RVers. Full hookups, dog parks, and campgrounds were just the start. Now Love's is offering tires and batteries to RVers who need them on the road. Jim Wheeler, Love's Director of RV Operations, joins us to explain why Love's keeps expanding its commitment to the RV community.Then Mike and Jennifer make the case for New Mexico as one of the most underrated RV destinations in America. Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell, Santa Fe, Taos, and the remote Gila region - this is not a drive-through state. It rewards the RVers who actually stop.Jennifer shares her first-night campsite setup routine, the simple approach that avoids the frustration of trying to do too much when you are tired and just arriving somewhere new.And Tom from Arizona asked about cargo carrying capacity - and the answer may surprise you. This is one of the most misunderstood numbers in all of RVing, and ignoring it can affect your braking, your tires, and your safety every mile you drive.Six hundred episodes. Twelve years. We are just getting started.Show notes and links at RVPodcast.com

It's finally happening! BJ, Lisa and Frog are going RVing! They have a date on the books and wait until you hear where and what they will be doing while living off the land!

Happy Tax Day! That I-70 crash with 70 cars yesterday was nuts. BJ's neighbor left for vacation yesterday and they asked him to do what? You're not going to believe this. If you've got an Airbnb or know someone who does, have them put this in the description and it will always be booked! BJ and the fam are finally going RVing.

From the 3,000-mile Great River Road adventure to smarter Pacific Northwest RV planning, healthier habits on the road, and a bold new electric trailer concept, this episode blends travel inspiration, practical lifestyle advice, and a look at where RV innovation may be headed next.Explore the Great River Road and how RVers can turn a 10-state Mississippi route into a flexible trip full of food, history, and river towns.Learn why the Pacific Northwest deserves more time on your itinerary, plus practical tips for weather, mountain passes, and planning.Hear how Jake and Sarah of Active RV Life built a wellness platform to help RVers stay strong enough to enjoy the lifestyle.Get a first look at Evo Trex and its power-generating PG5 trailer, designed to blend electric camping, backup power, and active towing assist.John talks with Alan Hamry about the Great River Road, a 3,000-mile route following the Mississippi River through 10 states, packed with river towns, scenic drives, food, music, and history.Then Jim and Rene welcome back Brooks Smothers of RV Out West to share why the Pacific Northwest is one of the most rewarding RV regions in the country, and how to plan for weather, reservations, and mountain travel.Rose and Glynn sit down with Jake and Sarah of Active RV Life to discuss the health challenges many RVers face, and how they built a business around helping people stay mobile, capable, and consistent on the road.Plus, Bob talks with Stella Qin of Evo Trex about the PG5, a futuristic trailer concept combining electric capability, onboard power generation, and a new approach to off-grid camping and towing.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife157/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

Episode: LTGL2602 – Sarah Jones | RV Life, Real Growth & Redefining FreedomWhat happens when you make a five-minute decision that completely changes your life?In this episode, Kimberly sits down with fellow full-time RVer and multi-passionate entrepreneur Sarah Jones to talk about what it really looks like to build a life—and a business—on the road. No perfect plan. No polished blueprint. Just a willingness to say yes… and figure it out along the way. From an unexpected start (think: “we need a place to live” energy) to four and a half years of full-time travel, Sarah shares how this lifestyle has shaped not just her work, but who she's becoming. This conversation goes beyond RV logistics and into something deeper—freedom, fear, nervous system health, and what it means to truly feel at peace in your own life.In this episode, you'll hear:How a spontaneous decision turned into a full-time RV lifestyleThe difference between having a “dream” and allowing life to unfoldWhat it's really like to run a business on the road (the good, the messy, and the honest)The challenge of building community without a physical “home base”Why routines may fail you—and habits might save youA powerful personal realization about stress, cortisol, and nervous system healthSimple shifts that made a big difference in sleep, clarity, and overall well-beingThe surprising truth about “balance” on the roadReal talk about RV ownership (including the maintenance most people ignore)The RV Evolution (because yes…they have names) Sarah shares her journey from a small, older fifth wheel to a full-scale HDT (Heavy Duty Truck) setup:Started with a modest fifth wheel out of necessityUpgraded to a 41-foot home-on-wheelsNow travels in a full semi setup (yes, really)And meet the crew:Cash – the semi truckCarmen – the fifth wheelVicky – the motorcycleBenny – the carA deeper thread: From “doing all the right things” to actually feeling better One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is Sarah's realization that even when she was:Eating wellExercising consistentlyDoing everything “right”…something still felt off.That led her to explore nervous system regulation, stress, and the impact of living in a constant low-level fight-or-flight state—and how small, consistent habits (not just routines) can begin to shift that.Practical wisdom for RV life If you're even thinking about RVing, don't miss this: You are not doing enough maintenance. It's not glamorous, but it's essential. Sarah shares why small, daily awareness can save you from major headaches (and expenses) down the road.Sarah's advice for aspiring RVers: You don't need to have it all figured out. If you feel the pull to travel—even just for a few weeks or months—find a way to try it. The experience alone can change how you see your life, your priorities, and what's actually possible._______________________________________________About Sarah Jones:Sarah Jones is a financial coach, full-time RV adventurer, and host of the Traveling Towards Wealth Podcast. She helps people break free from restrictive budgets and complicated money rules by crafting custom, values-based money plans that lead to lasting financial freedom. With a focus on the 6 Pillars of Finance, Sarah guides clients to build peace of mind funds, pay off debt, and spend joyfully - all while embracing life's adventures and unexpected twists. When she's not coaching, you'll find her baking sourdough, nurturing houseplants, or exploring the open road with her husband JamesConnect with Sarah Jones:Website: travelingtowardswealth.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.m.jones.562(And if you happen to cross paths on the road… you might just score some homemade sourdough

DU Won their 11th National Title on Saturday! Bar Bingo was a BLAST Friday night! Jamie thinks it's time for BJ to go RVing. A driving school in CO Springs got shutdown because of fraud? There's a crazy story about a family who got scammed out of $10k just by ordering food from a restaurant.

Mike Herzing and Jeremy Birenbaum cover this week's top automotive stories: a man arrested after driving a stolen car to his auto-theft hearing, Honda ending its EV partnership with Sony, and Volkswagen's recall of 48,000 Jettas over a fire risk. Also discussed: AAA's findings on dangerous headlight glare, a review of the 2026 Chevy Blazer EV SS, and RVing advice from Bryon Johnson of DeMontrond RV. Practical tips and listener car questions round out the episode. #DeMontrond #DemontrondRV #Sony #VWJetta #BlazerSS #HondaEV  

We're celebrating 50 years of RVing and 20 years of podcasting in the 56 years of marriage in 2026. Yes, we started young and are going tn to old age with just as much gusto for RVing as when we started. We've RVed in 49 states (and I don't mean we just drove through), most of Mexico and Canada. This in addition to extended RVing adventures in South Africa and New Zealand. With this experience, we thought that we'd share 10 essential things that we've learned about RVing that we hope will help others with less experience. We are not full timers, but we do travel for several months each year so our tips are focused on longer term travels - but apply to any destination. We hope that this sparks some lively conversation on our FB page. What are your favorite RV tips and tricks for making the journey more enjoyable?

Travel inspiration, roadside kindness, entrepreneurial reinvention, and industry innovation all come together in this episode of the RV LIFE Podcast.Explore why 2026 is the once-in-a-lifetime year to drive Route 66, as the legendary “Mother Road” celebrates its 100th anniversary with events and celebrations across the historic highway.Meet a skoolie couple known as the “Angels of the Highway” who travel the country offering donation-based roadside assistance through their nonprofit.Hear how one solo RVer reinvented her life at 62, learning to tow an Airstream, working remotely, and building new income streams through travel writing and photography.Discover how mobile RV service and technical education are evolving, with programs helping more women build careers in the RV industry.John talks with Alan Wininger about the upcoming Route 66 Centennial, the history behind America's most famous highway, and how RVers can plan their own trip along the nearly 2,500-mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica.Then Jim and Rene share the remarkable story of Martian and Mouse, founders of Journey of a Spirit's Mechanic, a nonprofit providing donation-based roadside assistance to stranded travelers while living full-time in their skoolie and spreading kindness across the country.Rose and Glynn sit down with Deborah Dennis, a solo RVer who began RVing at 62 with no towing experience while working remotely as a UX designer, and who has since expanded into travel writing, photography, and other creative pursuits on the road.Plus, Bob chats with Jessica Ryder, founder of Pull Through Sites Mobile RV Service and a board member of the RV Women's Alliance, about the rapid growth of mobile RV repair, technical education programs for women, and the new “Chassis to Classy” project building a custom RV designed and assembled by women.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife156/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

From owning your RV lot instead of paying nightly rates to staying strong enough to enjoy the lifestyle, plus a behind-the-scenes look at truck camper publishing and RV comfort innovation, this episode covers smart strategy from campsite to boardroom. Explore how a luxury motorcoach resort near Nashville lets RVers purchase deeded lots with high-end amenities and rental income potential. Learn practical ways to avoid the “RV 15” and stay mobile, flexible, and consistent on the road.Hear how Truck Camper Magazine survived the Great Recession and built trust in a niche RV market.Get an industry outlook from Truma's leadership on comfort systems, market trends, and what 2026 may bring.John talks with Joey Locker about developing a luxury motorcoach resort designed for long stays, community living, and lot ownership, complete with riverfront sites, clubhouses, pickleball courts, and a managed rental pool model.Then Jim and Rene sit down with Jake and Sarah of Active RV Life to discuss fitness on the road, mobility for everyday RV tasks, injury recovery, and why consistency beats perfection when building healthy habits.Rose and Glynn speak with RV Entrepreneurs Gordon and Angela of Truck Camper Magazine about launching an online-only publication in 2007, navigating the recession, staying neutral in a product-driven space, and preparing the next generation of leadership.Plus, Bob connects with Mark Howlett, President and CEO of Truma North America, to talk about heating and hot water innovation, shifting fuel trends, truck camper growth, and cautious optimism for the RV market in 2026.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife155/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

There's so much more to RVing in Colorado than Rocky Mountain National Park. Check out part 2 to learn about highlights in Western Colorado. The post A Beginner’s Guide to RVing in Colorado Part 2: Western Highlights appeared first on The RV Atlas.

On this week's episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we're taking you to one of the absolute best RV vacation spots in the whole country: Colorado. If you think Rocky Mountain […] The post A Beginner’s Guide to RVing in Colorado Part 1: Eastern Highlights appeared first on The RV Atlas.

From a month-long St. Patrick's celebration in Savannah to the real costs, mindset shifts, and safety decisions that shape life on the road, this episode delivers practical insight and meaningful perspective for today's RVers.Discover why Savannah hosts one of the biggest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the country and how RVers can experience it.Learn where RV travel costs sneak up on you and how to reduce fuel, campground, and service expenses.Hear a candid conversation about identity shifts, mindset, and rebuilding purpose after going nomadic.Understand why propane safety starts at the tank and how a shut-off valve can prevent serious emergencies.Savannah might not be the first place you think of for St. Patrick's Day, but John DiPietro and Supriya Christopher from Visit Savannah say it hosts one of the biggest celebrations in the country, with events all month and a parade that can run 4 to 6 hours.Then Jim and Rene talk with Jared Davis of RV Complete Club about the real costs of RV travel, where RVers underestimate expenses, and how simple discounts on fuel, campgrounds, and service can ease the stress.In RV Entrepreneur, Rose and Glynn sit down with Robyn and Victor Robledo of Nomads With a Purpose for an honest conversation about the identity shift that can hit when you go nomadic and the tools that helped them rebuild from the inside out.Plus, Bob wraps up with Martin Neeson, founder of GasStop, explaining why propane safety starts at the source and how a shut-off valve can add peace of mind on every trip.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife154/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro 25% off at check out

Join us on our Route 66 adventure! This week we traveled the mother road from Santa Monica pier to the Barstow area. We hope you enjoy our photos, videos, and memories as we celebrate 100 years of Route 66!  You can find this week's podcast at our home on the web or wherever you enjoy getting podcasts: https://www.stresslesscamping.com/podcast/0346 The StressLess Camping podcast is a weekly RV podcast with information, tips and tricks to help every RVer and camper enjoy some StressLess Camping.

As he approaches his 91st birthday, legendary broadcaster Mort Crim proves that curiosity and adventure do not retire.Last summer, while in the middle of a cross-country RV journey, we caught up with Mort as he traveled America in his Class B Winnebago Travato with his cat Groucho. That journey is now complete, and in this follow-up conversation in RV Podcast Episode 578, Mort reflects on what the road revealed about America, aging, grief, and healing.Mort shares how seeing the country firsthand, through campgrounds, small towns, and everyday conversations, gave him a very different perspective than the one often portrayed in the media. He also speaks openly about how RVing helped him work through the grieving process after losing his wife, providing space, movement, and purpose during a difficult season of life.Now, with that chapter behind him, Mort is already making plans for a busy 2026 RV travel season, proof that living small and moving often can keep life expanding at any age.This is a thoughtful, deeply human conversation about resilience, perspective, and why the RV Lifestyle can change far more than your address.Also this week, Mike and Jen answer your RV Questions, including how much snow an RV roof can handle.

RV PODCAST NEWS EDITIONEpisode 586 - January 26, 2026Hey everybody, welcome to the RV Podcast News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland, and this is where we cut through the press releases, the hype, and the corporate spin to talk about what is really happening in the RV world.Now, quick programming note. If you are listening to this later in the week, we are watching a massive winter snow and ice storm that has affected campgrounds, travel plans, and even caused park closures across large parts of the country. Winter storm Fern has affected a huge swath of the country, 2,300 miles long, from Texas all the way to the East Coast. Ten states have reported more than a foot of snow. Many areas reported in excess of a half inch of ice. In some areas, an inch was reported, bringing down tree limbs across power lines. Well over a million customers have lost electric power and some may be without it for a week or more because of infrastructure damage and terrible road conditions.And as the snow, ice, and sleet slowly move off the eastern coast today, a massive cold front of arctic air is plunging much of the nation to dangerously cold temperatures. In the south, where temps rarely go below freezing, single-digit readings are being reported this morning.Obviously, this has affected many thousands in the RV Community. Fulltimers, even snowbirds who thought they were escaping the worst of winter in the mod south, are struggling to stay warm and keep the water running.The full affect of this storm is still be assessed but from everything we've been able to learn, RVers in the affected areas are reporting frozen water pumps at many campgrounds, propane shortages in the most affected areas and in some cases, no power. We've had reports from dozens of RVers impacted by the snow and overall, most say they are getting by. Most laid in plenty of bottled water, extra food, and made sure they had full tanks of propane and extra fuel for generators. One RVer - John, who lives in his Alliance fifth wheel in Missouri - said his biggest challenge was all the snow and ice piled on top of his slide out. He says the frigid air behind the snow isnt going to allow much melting and he is planning to get a ladder to clear the snow off.In Arkansas, a full-time couple - Sarah and Jim - said they wish they followed their friend's advice to haul their Jayco south towards Florida. “We have gone through two tanks of propane so far and the roads are so bad we can't get out to get them filled.” Her campground still has electricity but she said the lights have flickered and she expects she'll have to switch to generator power as the ice on the power lines is not melting.Perhaps the best assessment came from Ted, a Tennessee fulltimer, who lives in a fifth wheel on his own property along the Tennessee River.. “Most of us know what to do,” he said. “We can handle a week without power. We have a full fresh water tank and I have a 100 gallon propane tank to supplement the tanks in our rig. So we're dressed in heavy clothes and have extra blankets on the bed. This too shall pass.”Let's hope soon.Sop the storm dominates the RV news this week. But coming up, RVers are demanding a real voice with manufacturers, not a hand-picked group of industry insiders, and the response to that idea has been overwhelming.We will look at why campground reservations feel harder than ever to get, even as more parks are built. We will take a closer look at what is really happening in state parks, where long overdue upgrades are coming with some real tradeoffs. We will talk about used RV prices finally settling back toward reality.And we will have a little fun calling out how RV manufacturers keep copying each other's ideas, sometimes so closely it is honestly laughable.Before we get started…. a quick word about the RV Lifestyle Community at RVCommunity.com.If you are tired of ads, algorithms, and social media drama, this is different. It is a private, ad free community built by RVers, for RVers. Real conversations, real advice, real friendships.It is social media the way it SHOULD be.Learn more at RVCommunity.com.STORY 1 — It's Time RVers Had a Real VoiceFor years now, RVers have been talking among themselves about what is wrong with today's RVs.Too many quality issues. Too many poorly designed floorplans. Too many features that look great on a showroom floor but fail miserably in real life.And too often, it feels like no one in the industry is really listening.That thought hit home last week after a listener sent us a message that stopped us cold. He asked a simple but powerful question.Why don't RVers have a direct voice with manufacturers?With massive consolidation among RV manufacturers and dealers, buyers now have fewer real choices than ever before. You walk onto a mega dealer lot and see hundreds of rigs, but when you look closer, many are variations of the same designs, built by the same corporate parents, with the same lingering quality concerns.For many people ready to buy, the problem is not just price.It is confidence.They do not see the RV they actually want. And they are afraid to buy because of what they hear about reliability and workmanship.That is a terrible place for any industry to be.So it raises a bigger question.Who is speaking for real RVers?Right now, manufacturers mostly hear from dealers, sales teams, investors, and marketing departments.What is missing?Us.The people who actually live in these RVs. The ones who discover what works and what fails after thousands of miles of potholes, rainstorms, campground hookups, and real world use.Most feedback today is scattered across Facebook groups, YouTube comments, and forums. Thoughtful insights get buried in noise.That is not a system designed to build better RVs.It is a system designed to build frustration.So here is the idea that sparked a huge response.What if RVers spoke with one clear, organized, constructive voice?Imagine a live, moderated RVer Town Hall. Not a complaint fest. Not a shouting match. A serious conversation where experienced RVers present real world recommendations to manufacturers.Full timers and part timers. Fifth wheels and motorhomes. Retirees, families, weekend travelers.Talking about what actually matters.Build quality. Smarter layouts. Easier maintenance. Durability over decoration. Designs that match how people really camp.If structured properly and promoted well, manufacturers would pay attention. When customers speak thoughtfully and collectively, industries listen.Before we build anything like this, we want to hear from you.If you had five minutes with RV executives and engineers, what would you tell them?Not angry rants.Real ideas.Leave us a voicemail or send us an email at RVPodcast.com. We may feature your ideas on the podcast and use them as the foundation for a future live RVer Town Hall.This is not about tearing down manufacturers.It is about helping them build RVs that truly serve the people who buy them.Because the best RVs will not be created in boardrooms alone.They will be created when real RVers are finally heard.TRAVEL PLANNING WORKSHOP PROMOBefore we move on, a quick reminder.On February 5, I am hosting a live RV Travel Planning Workshop. This is where I walk you through how to plan smarter routes, find better campgrounds, avoid common mistakes, and build trips that actually match how you want to travel.It is practical, hands on, and you will walk away with a plan you can use immediately.Details and registration are available through our site, and I would love to have you join me.STORY 2 — Campgrounds Are Expanding, But Reservations Are Tighter Than EverHere is something RVers keep asking.If more campgrounds are being built, why does it feel harder than ever to get a reservation?On paper, things look good. New private parks are opening. Existing parks are adding sites. States are investing in infrastructure.But in practice, availability feels tighter than ever.RVers are traveling more often and staying longer. More parks are shifting toward monthly and seasonal stays for predictable income. Reservation systems make booking easier, but also more competitive.The result is a paradox.More campgrounds exist. But fewer open dates feel available.For RVers, this means planning earlier, being flexible, and sometimes looking beyond the most obvious destinations.STORY 3 — State Parks Are Upgrading, With Strings AttachedState parks are getting long overdue upgrades.New electrical systems. Rebuilt bathhouses. Extended sites for larger rigs.But these improvements come with tradeoffs.California has seen higher fees and reservation windows that fill in minutes. Florida has fewer first come, first served sites. Michigan's modernization brings 50 amp service and sewer hookups, but also higher nightly rates and tighter booking rules.Better infrastructure. Higher costs. Less spontaneity.State parks are still incredible values, but the old days of pulling in on a whim are fading fast.STORY 4 — Used RV Prices Are Finally Coming Back to EarthUsed RV prices continue to soften.Inventory is up. Buyers are cautious. Dealers are negotiating again.But buyers are selective.Condition matters. Maintenance records matter. Build quality matters.This shift is healthy. Confidence is returning, and patience is finally being rewarded.STORY 5 — Manufacturers Keep Copying Each Other, And It's Getting ObviousNow let's have a little fun, because this is one of those things you cannot unsee once you notice it.RV manufacturers love to talk about innovation.But if you walk a major RV show floor, you quickly realize how much copying is really going on.Case in point, the dinesk, that combination dining area and desk that slides, expands, and adapts depending on how you are using it.It was a standout feature in Brinkley RV models, clever, functional, and genuinely useful for how people live and work on the road.Fast forward to the Tampa RV SuperShow.Suddenly, a new Montana ad is showcasing a remarkably similar setup. And Winnebago rolls out a new towable with a nearly identical movable desk and dining combo.Coincidence? Not likely.And here is the part that makes industry veterans chuckle. Brinkley itself has been told that their dinesk concept resembles a similar idea introduced years ago by another fifth wheel manufacturer.In other words, the copying goes back generations.This is how the RV industry often works. One company takes a risk. Others watch carefully. And once the market responds, suddenly everyone has their own version.Sometimes that is healthy competition.But other times, it leads to stagnation. Instead of improving the idea, manufacturers simply replicate it, sometimes poorly, sometimes without understanding why it worked in the first place.The real opportunity here is not copying.It is listening.RVers know what features actually improve life on the road. They know what gets used every day, and what becomes a gimmick by the third trip.If manufacturers spent more time listening to real RVers and less time copying the rig across the aisle, innovation might actually mean something again.CLOSINGWhen you step back and look at all of this together, a pattern emerges.RVers want better built rigs. They want campgrounds they can actually access. They want state parks that balance upgrades with affordability. And they want to be heard.The RV lifestyle is thriving, but growth brings pressure. How the industry responds now will shape the next decade of RVing.Thanks for listening. We'll be back Wednesday with another Stories from the Road episode.

Hey everybody, welcome to the RV Podcast News Edition for Monday, January 19, 2026. I'm Mike Wendland.This is where we cut through the noise and bring you what's really happening right now in the RV lifestyle and the RV industry. Five stories this week, and taken together they paint a clear picture.The RV world is not just changing. It is restructuring.Let's get started.STORY 1. TAMPA SUPERSHOW AND THE MEGA-DEALERS GET EVEN BIGGERThe Florida RV SuperShow wrapped up this weekend in Tampa, and once again it was the Super Bowl of RVing. Huge crowds, massive inventory, and a lot of signals about where the industry thinks things are headed.One number really stood out.Lazydays RV, now operating as Lazydays RV powered by Campers Inn, announced it brought more than 450 RVs to the show. Four hundred and fifty units on the grounds. There were over 1,300 new models here. That means Lazydays, if it really bought that many uits - I didnt count them - accounted for a third of the total new units on display.That is more than confidence. That is making a statement and claiming market power.It highlights how the biggest RV chains keep getting bigger. Camping World, General RV, Blue Compass, and Campers Inn have all been aggressively buying up smaller dealerships across the country.In many markets, those big names now sit next to each other, or even across the street from one another.That kind of saturation creates brutal competition and raises a serious question. How many stores can a market really support?What we kept hearing in Tampa is that 2026 may be the year underperforming locations start quietly closing.We already saw a preview late in 2025 when Camping World abruptly shut down its store in Escanaba, Michigan.For shoppers, this environment cuts both ways. There is more inventory and more choice, but dealers are under pressure to move aging stock. That pressure can work in your favor, if you negotiate wisely.STORY 2. INFLUENCER FATIGUE. THE MARKETING MODEL IS BREAKING DOWNAnother major theme at the Tampa show had nothing to do with floorplans.Influencer fatigue.By our count, there are now at least 500 so-called RV influencers. Probably more. Anyone with a cellphone camera can claim the title, and many have.For years, manufacturers poured money, free gear, and perks into this system.But saturation has changed everything.Behind the scenes, RV manufacturers and marketing teams are saying the influencer model no longer delivers like it once did. They report being flooded with demands for free RVs, guaranteed commissions, and paid travel just to show up.There are clear signs of a pullback.Winnebago has ended relationships with some influencers. Keystone RV has done the same.The issue is trust. When every product is “the best ever,” audiences stop believing any of it.I overheard it firsthand in Tampa. Outside the influencer building, one man said, “I'd be an influencer too if they gave me free stuff. But since that hasn't happened, I don't trust what any of them say. Free stuff and money can buy anything.”That comment captures the problem perfectly.STORY 3. TARIFFS ARE HAMMERING MANUFACTURERS, AND ROADTREK MAY BE THE HARDEST HITAnother major topic of quiet but intense conversation at the SuperShow was tariffs and the damage they are doing to certain RV manufacturers.Start with Europe.The Italian manufacturer Wingamm has been trying to bring compact Class B style motorhomes into the U.S. market for at least the last four years. At one point, the tariff hit on a Wingamm imported from Italy was estimated at roughly $70,000.That nearly killed the effort.The tariff has since been restructured into a fixed import fee announced in mid-2025, about $9,500 on the Oasi 540.1 and roughly $11,100 on other models. Even so, Wingamm has now turned to crowdfunding to help finance its U.S. market entry.Canada is being hit even harder.Many popular Class B vans sold in the U.S. are built in Canada. Tariffs stack up at every step.A prime example is Leisure Travel Vans.Their Unity models use Mercedes Sprinter chassis and major components built in Germany, shipped to Canada, assembled there, and then exported to the United States. Tariffs apply to the chassis, the imported parts, and the finished vehicle.Industry sources say tariffs alone are adding at least $20,000 to the price of a Leisure Travel Vans motorhome. The new Mercedes Benz model that introduced at the show last week was sticker shock on steroids. It's show price was $272,000. For a B + van. Over a quarter of a million dollars! Yikes. And then there's Class B campervan maker Roadtrek, made in Ontario.Roadtrek's situation may be the most severe.The company has struggled since 2019, following a massive financial scandal involving its previous owners that ended in bankruptcy. Roadtrek is currently owned by a French RV company that took control as part of that restructuring.Since then, Roadtrek has faced repeated Mercedes Sprinter chassis shortages, production disruptions, a weak market, and the loss of key personnel.Most recently, Roadtrek lost its longtime National Sales Manager, Mike Williams, widely known across the industry and to customers as “Canada Mike.” He has now joined Sunshine State RVs in Gainesville, Florida, where some are already calling him “Florida Mike.”That is a significant loss of leadership and visibility for the brand.At Tampa, the buzz was everywhere. Roadtrek is struggling badly, and many insiders believe the company may be for sale again. Nothing official, but the talk was constant and came from dealers, current employees,  and industry veterans.Tariffs are a huge reason for all of this pressure.STORY 4. MORE CONSOLIDATION, MIDWEST AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN LIKELY TO BE SOLDAnd speaking of major brands being in play, we're hearing strong indications of another significant acquisition.Multiple sources tell us that Midwest Automotive Design, a high-end builder of luxury Class B motorhomes on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, is about to be sold.The buyer, according to what we're hearing, is Alliance RV.Alliance RV was founded in 2019 by industry veterans Ryan and Coley Brady and is best known for its Paradigm line of luxury fifth wheels. The company has built a reputation for high-quality construction and strong customer loyalty.Midwest Automotive Design is a powerhouse in the luxury van segment. It is known for models like the Passage and Luxe Cruiser and has also built private-label vans for Ultimate Toys, Chinook, Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, and American Coach under the REV Group umbrella.This is not a small boutique operation.If confirmed, this move would signal Alliance's expansion beyond towables into the premium motorized market.It reinforces the larger pattern. The RV industry is entering a major consolidation phase, with strong operators positioning themselves to acquire respected niche brands as costs rise and margins tighten.STORY 5. ZION NATIONAL PARK WILL RESTRICT LARGE RVS ON A KEY ROUTENow an important heads-up for anyone planning a Southwest RV trip.Zion National Park has announced a major change taking effect June 7, 2026.Large vehicles will no longer be allowed to travel through the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway, including the famous tunnel.Vehicles longer than about thirty-five feet, wider than seven feet ten inches, taller than eleven feet four inches, or weighing more than fifty thousand pounds will be prohibited. The long-standing escort system for oversized vehicles is being eliminated.The Park Service says the road was never designed for modern RVs and that safety concerns drove the decision.You can still visit Zion, but many large motorhomes and fifth wheels will need alternate routes or off-site parking.This is a major planning issue for RVers heading west.BONUS STORY. HONDA OFFICIALLY ENTERS THE RV SPACE WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT TRAILERAnd here's one of those moments when we get to say, we told you so. This is a BONUS STORY THIS WEEK.Two episodes ago, we reported that Honda was quietly working on something big in the RV space. Now it's official.Honda has unveiled the Base Station Prototype, an all-new lightweight travel trailer designed by Honda engineers at the company's U.S. research and development centers in Los Angeles and Ohio.This is not a rebadged camper. Honda says the Base Station Prototype brings segment-first innovations that only Honda can deliver.The stated goal is to “democratize outdoor adventures.” In plain English, make RVing accessible to more people.Honda designed the Base Station to be towed by many of the most popular vehicles in America, including crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, as well as electric vehicles such as the Honda Prologue and Honda's upcoming 0-Series SUV.That is a major shift.Most lightweight trailers still require full-size trucks or large SUVs. Honda is aiming directly at the millions of households that already own smaller vehicles and have been priced out of RV ownership.Honda also says the Base Station will remain competitively priced in the lightweight travel trailer segment, signaling this is not just a concept vehicle but a serious market entry.If Honda follows through, this could reshape the entry-level RV market in a very big way.And as soon as we can see one in person, you know we'll bring you a full report.CLOSINGAlright. That's this week's RV News Edition of the RV Podcast. For links, documents, and deeper background on every story we covered today, be sure to check the show notes on our website at RVPodcast.com. That's our central hub for everything we do, podcasts, blogs, videos, and our community.You can also leave us a voice message, comment, question, or tip right there on the site. We read them all, and many of them help shape future episodes.And a quick reminder that on February 5, I'll be hosting a live, interactive RV Travel Planning Workshop designed to help you plan smarter trips, avoid costly mistakes, and travel with confidence. You'll find all the details and registration information at RVPodcast.com/workshop.That's your RV Podcast Monday News Edition for Jan. 19, 2026. We'll be back Wednesday with our Stories from the Road RV Podcast. I'm Mike Wendland. Thanks for listening, and until next time, have fun, make friends, and find adventure. Happy Trails.Sources and Further Reading2026 Florida RV SuperShow and Dealer ConsolidationLazydays by Campers Inn Brings Over 450 RVs to Tampa Showhttps://rv-pro.com/news/lazydays-by-campers-inn-brings-over-450-rvs-to-tampa-show/Florida RV Trade Association, Official 2026 Florida RV SuperShow Pagehttps://www.frvta.org/show/florida-rv-supershow/Influencer Fatigue and RV Marketing ShiftWinnebago Industries Corporate News and Investor Updateshttps://investor.winnebagoind.com/Keystone RV Company Official Sitehttps://www.keystonerv.com/Tariffs and Cross-Border RV Industry ImpactRV Dealers Association of Canada Update on Counter Tariffshttps://rvbusiness.com/rvda-canada-gives-update-on-counter-tariffs-on-u-s-rvs/How Tariffs Could Impact the RV Industryhttps://www.rv.com/rv/how-tariffs-could-impact-the-rv-industry/Canadian RV Association Statement on U.S.–Canada Tariff Impacthttps://www.rvnews.com/crva-issues-update-on-u-s-canada-tariff-impact/Class B Forum Discussion on Canadian Tariffshttps://www.classbforum.com/threads/canadian-tariffs.654811/Wingamm European Import TariffsWingamm Official Websitehttps://wingamm.com/Wingamm Oasi 540.1 Model Pagehttps://wingamm.com/en/oasi-540-1/Invest in W Motorhome Sales North America (equity crowdfunding on StartEngine)https://www.startengine.com/offering/wmotorhomeLeisure Travel Vans Tariff ExposureLeisure Travel Vans Official Websitehttps://leisurevans.com/Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Global Production Informationhttps://www.mbvans.com/en/sprinter/Roadtrek Company BackgroundCourt-Ordered Receivership for Erwin Hymer Group North America (which included Roadtrek)https://rvldealernews.com/the-court-appointed-receivership-auction-of-erwin-hymer-group-north-america-will-begin-on-tuesday-july-16-and-continue-until-friday-july-19-2019/How Rapido Group Plotted the Rebirth of Roadtrek https://rv-pro.com/features/how-rapido-plotted-rebirth-roadtrek/ Roadtrek Motorhomes Official Websitehttps://roadtrek.com/Alliance RV and Midwest Automotive Design PurchasAlliance RV Official Websitehttps://www.alliancerv.com/Midwest Automotive Design Official Websitehttps://midwestautomotivedesign.com/Midwest Automotive Design About Us Pagehttps://www.midwestautomotivedesign.com/about-us/Midwest Automotive Design Luxe Cruiser Modelhttps://www.midwestautomotivedesign.com/luxury-vans/luxe-cruiser/REV Group Brand Portfoliohttps://www.revgroup.com/our-brands/Zion National Park Large RV RestrictionsZion National Park to Restrict Large Vehicles on Zion–Mount Carmel Highway Beginning June 7, 2026https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2026/01/zion-national-park-restrict-large-vehicles-traveling-zion-mt-carmel-highwayZion to Ban Most Large RVs on Mount Carmel Highwayhttps://www.thetraveler.org/zion-to-ban-most-large-rvs-on-mount-carmel-highway-june-7-2026/Honda Enters the RV Market with the Base Station PrototypeHonda Press Release, Honda Unveils Base Station Prototypehttps://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/honda-unveils-base-station-prototype-a-lightweight-towable-travel-trailer-with-modular-design-smart-technology-clever-packaging-to-democratize-campingRV Business, Honda Unveils Prototype Base Station Lightweight Camperhttps://rvbusiness.com/honda-unveils-prototype-base-station-lightweight-camper/The Drive, Honda's Secret Project, A Futuristic Camper Trailer You Can Tow With a CR-Vhttps://www.thedrive.com/news/hondas-secret-project-a-futuristic-camper-trailer-you-can-tow-with-a-cr-v

In this week's mini-podcast episode, ten years after converting a school bus into our first RV, we look back on what that decision gave us — and ask whether starting RV life today would even be possible. From Wander Bus to RV Miles, this is a candid conversation about cost, timing, family, and how much RVing has changed.  _____ *Become an RV Miles Mile Marker member and get your first month for $3 *Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/ Support our Sponsors: *Check out all Blue Ox has to offer at https://BlueOx.com *Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001 *Find Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com/ Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID  437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

In this week's mini-podcast episode, we're taking out the crystal ball and discussing our predictions for 2026 in RVing, camping, and national parks, plus some RV Miles goals for the new year. _____ *Become an RV Miles Mile Marker member and get your first month for $3 *Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/ Support our Sponsors: *Check out all Blue Ox has to offer at https://BlueOx.com *Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001 *Get your no-obligation quote from Wholesale Warranties at https://wholesalewarranties.com *Find Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com/ Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID  437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE 00:00 Introduction 03:33 Holiday Break and Health Challenges 04:56 Upcoming Florida RV Super Show 06:28 Studio Setup and Technical Issues 08:49 Predictions for the RV Industry in 2026 15:58 Predictions for the Campground Industry in 2026 22:40 Predictions for National Parks in 2026 31:19 RV Miles Goals for 2026 36:22 Personal Goals for 2026 42:48 Conclusion and Farewell