An Uplifting Story of Retiring In An RV

Above, Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Part two of the series on retiring in an RV by Chuck Woodbury has been posted in RV Travel.

It is primarily by a veteran who began as a trucker and then as a Navy veteran.

It starts out with:

Two weeks ago I wrote about my struggle with successfully retiring. As much as I try, I can’t seem to do it. In my essay I wrote about how I had concluded that a person cannot simply retire. There’s more to it:

“The thing about retiring is that you cannot JUST RETIRE. You have to RETIRE TO something — hopefully something you have always wanted to do but never had time. For many people, that’s RVing. For those who do not replace their work with something they love, retirement is just a pit stop on their journey to their final frontier.”

Readers responded

I asked readers to write me with their thoughts about retirement. Several dozen responded, most with very interesting tales to tell. I can’t post them here in one issue, but what I can do is post them over time. Here is what Greg Surratt wrote. I find it inspiring how he and his wife, Jo Ann, pursued their RVing dreams despite many setbacks.

To read more, go here. 

RV Park Unwritten Rules You Should Know

Above, campers at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever camped at an RV park or campground next to obnoxious neighbors? I can't say that I have. But others haven't been so lucky.

RV Life has posted an article on "unwritten rules" of RV parks that everyone should know.

They start it off with:

When you check into an RV park you’ll almost always receive a list of campground rules. As you dutifully check it out, you’ll typically see there are campground quiet hours, rules about not killing the grass with your camping rug, keeping pets on leashes,  and a host of other rules. These rules help keep campground managers and RVers happy.  However, those aren’t the only rules at the campground you should be aware of.  There are also some unwritten rules for good campground conduct that new RVers )or some seasoned ones) may not be aware of. Knowing these rules will save you from becoming a social outcast in the RV park. 

To read more, go here. 

KOA Expects Significant Expansion In 2024

Above, The Beast at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go on a vacation in my motorhome, more often than not I usually stay at a KOA Kampground (Kampgrounds of America) either along the way or at my destination.

The KOAs are generally consistent in their parks, including amenities. I know what to expect. Plus, I have accrued points that I can use for discounting nightly stays. Since I am a member, it make for easier reservations and check-ins.

KOA is expecting "significant" expansion 2024, according a press release posted in RV Travel.

They posted:

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) is looking forward to a year of significant expansion in 2024. In 2023, KOA elevated the total number of operating KOA parks to 511 by the end of the year.

A key factor in KOA’s success has been the sales team’s progress, with 12 conversions of independent parks and the signing of eight new construction contracts, resulting in 20 agreements in 2023. This effort marked a significant rise from 14 agreements in the previous year.

“KOA is the go-to partner for conversion and new build campgrounds,” said chief acquisition officer Chris Fairlee. “The equation is easy for owners to see how our brand and services set them up for success and create operational efficiencies.”

The organization also maintains a robust pipeline for future expansions, including six parks in the process of converting to a KOA and 26 new construction franchise campgrounds. KOA also has three owned properties earmarked for KOA campground development. With a healthy franchise renewal rate of 95%, KOA could easily reach 550 campgrounds in the next few years.

To read more, go here.

TravelPulse's RV Travel Guide

Above, The Beast at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The boom in RV travel is not slowing down, at least that's according to a new article by TravelPulse.

This is interesting given the sky-high gasoline and diesel prices we've been experiencing of late.

Still, it is worth a read.

They begin with:

The popularity of RV travel is not slowing down. The travel trend that started to take off prior to the pandemic soared to new heights during lockdowns.

RV travel continues to gain steam, and there are now more options than ever for travelers, including camper vans, travel trailers and campers available to rent or buy. There are also new campgrounds and new gear to make camping even more enjoyable.

For those hitting the road in an RV, here are some tips to ensure the trip is seamless and enjoyable.

To read more, go here. 

2022 The Year To Try RVing

Above, The Beast at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're now in the third year of the pandemic and people have long gotten tired of being cooped up and want to get out and enjoy life...while it lasts. (A little nod to Bela Lugosi.)

Since air travel and cruises can and do expose people to the coronavirus, RVs are the best option for people to travel safer.

The Weekly Journal posted an article on 2022 being the year to try RVing. They give several reasons why.

They start it with:

(RVshare) — In 2021, more people than ever were hitting the road in motorhomes and travel trailers, and we loved every minute of it. After all, what could be bad about more people getting out there and exploring this beautiful country?

Some might think we would be sad to see such a great year of RVing go, and in some ways we are. However, we don’t think the end of 2021 means the end of this explosion of RVing at all. In fact, we believe we are going to see even more people hitting the road in 2022, and we can’t wait to see that play out.

Why do we think this? Well, because there are tons of reasons to travel in an RV right now. Below are the top reasons we believe 2022 will be the year to give RVing a go.

To read more, go here. 

Eight Tips For RV Campground Etiquette

Above, the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As in one's home base neighborhood, nobody likes noisy and discourteous neighbors at all hours of the day or night while out camping in the Great Outdoors.

Paul Hemphill at The News-Review posted eight tips for RV campground etiquette. 

He starts it with:

We’ve all been there: Tucked in after an evening of stargazing and enjoying the sound of crickets when a crew of campers crashes the campground and hoots until the early morning. It’s a great recipe for a restless night and is an experience that can quickly sour your seventh heaven. Here are eight tips to avoid being “that guy.”

To read more, go here. 

Caring Friends' Reaction To A Photo I Posted Following My Heart Attack

Armand Vaquer added a new photo to the album: Odds & Ends 11 — at Stardust Ranch.

J82Sulfiocy 29,5o8 2e0c1dc8  · Ely, NV  · 

14Mitch Geriminsky, Roger A Wyatt and 12 others

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16 Comments

• Dale Van Horn

  Armond,you just had heart problems,that place might tear you up.!!,but what fun!!

  

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• Larry Bach

  Never seen a cardiac hospital like that before.

  

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  Lee Pecue

  What's that they say. Going out with a bang !

  

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• Jerry Moore

  i need to visit

  

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• Les Geriminsky

  I want that prescription.

  

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• Djamal Versteeg

  Talk about a whole lotta shaking going..lol

  

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• Don Theobald

  Some good stints they put in.

  

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  Glenn Thornhill

  Yeah, just where did they place those stents?

  

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• Tina Verhagen

  Dr's orders? I wonder who you are seeing....

  

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    Lee Pecue

    Dr. Howiefelter

    

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  • Tina Verhagen

    Lee Pecue ....he must be one who gets you up right away..no bed rest

    

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  • Robert McArthur

    Tina Verhagen I had two long hospital stays in 2009-10. One for four months. You are constantly awakened for medicine, blood drawings, exams, ad nausea (no pun intended.) One morning around 2 a.m.a very kind nurse awakened me to change my IV. I said "again?" She smiled and said, "Mr. McArthur, here at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center we guarantee you rest -- not sleep."

    

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  • Tina Verhagen

    They did a fine job...you are still here...and, I assume, are better....thankfully.

    

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    Glenn Thornhill

    Robert McArthur

    Agree. A hospital is no place to be if you need sleep. 

    

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• Arthur Hausmann

  Getting “lucky” today ???

  

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• Don LaDaga

  LOL........!

  

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