Medicare Coverage Tips For RVers

Above, the air ambulance helicopter that flew me to Twin
Falls, Idaho from Wells, Nevada. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

When I had my heart/artery episode back in 2018 at Wells, Nevada, I was covered by MediCal at the time. So all of my medical costs were covered by it. This also included the air ambulance helicopter flight to Twin Falls, Idaho.

Currently, I am on Medicare and, so far (thankfully), I have not had any medical emergencies either at home or on the road.

RV Travel has posted an article with Medicate coverage tips for RVers in case a medical emergency occurs while traveling in the RV.

It starts with:

As an RVer who is retired, one of the most critical decisions you’ll face is choosing the right healthcare coverage—specifically Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage). If you plan to travel out of your home state in the coming year, it’s essential to carefully review and consider your many options. Here are some Medicare Part C tips for RVers like you and me. 

To read more, go here. 

Poll: Have You Ever Been Transported By Ambulance?

Above, the air ambulance that transported me to the hospital in Twin Falls. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky

Having a medical emergency at anytime has be one of the scariest things that can happen to anyone, whether they are at home or somewhere on the road.

It happened to me once seven years ago in Wells, Nevada. I had an arterial blockage (that I was unaware of) that caused a heart attack. Fortunately, I was lucky to have the episode when and where I did. I had to be airlifted to Twin Falls, Idaho and had to stents put into the artery. I was treated quickly enough to avoid any heart muscle damage.

RV Travel has a poll question, "Have you ever been transported by ambulance for a medical emergency?"

It begins with:

The late afternoon sun filtered through the windshield as Sharon and Mark pulled into a quiet campground just outside Sedona. They’d spent the last few days winding through desert roads, soaking in red rock views and open skies. Life on the road had its share of surprises, of course—flat tires, last-minute detours—but they hadn’t expected this one.

It started with a strange pressure in Mark’s chest. At first, he brushed it off as indigestion from the diner pie they’d split earlier. But within minutes, he was pale and sweating, his breathing ragged. Sharon didn’t hesitate. She called 911, her voice steady despite the panic bubbling beneath. Within what felt like moments, an ambulance arrived, its siren slicing through the stillness of the campground.

To read and take part in the poll, go here. 

Las Vegas Tourism Down 11%

Above, the Las Vegas Strip in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Las Vegas appears to be losing its appeal. 

Visitation and hotel bookings are down. Some say this is a harbinger of a looming recession. 

The reason is obvious. Las Vegas is no longer the top place to gamble. Casinos are sprouting up in several states, mainly on Native Americans lands.

Las Vegas hotels are not cheap anymore. They used to be affordable. Hotels charging resort fees are also turn-offs to people.  Food is also more expensive. There was a time when great deals at restaurants could be easily found. Frankly, Las Vegas was more affordable and a lot more fun when the mob was running it.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Las Vegas is experiencing a significant downturn in tourism due to a combination of rising hotel prices and growing concerns over bedbug infestations. The city’s once-thriving tourism industry is being hit hard as visitors are deterred by the increasing costs of accommodations and reports of uncomfortable pest-related experiences at major resorts. As a result, many tourists are choosing to stay away, opting for alternative destinations that offer better value and peace of mind. This decline in visitors is further compounded by the negative impact on the city’s reputation, leaving hotel owners and businesses struggling to adapt to these new challenges.

Las Vegas is facing a significant downturn in tourism, with new figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) revealing a sharp drop in visitor numbers this summer. June saw only 3.1 million tourists, a marked 11.3 percent decline compared to the same month last year. This decrease is contributing to wider challenges within the local travel industry.

The bedbug infestation is another major crimp. Who wants to get married in Las Vegas and spend the honeymoon night with bedbugs?

To read more, go here.

Circus Circus To Be Demolished?

The last time I stepped foot at Circus Circus in Las Vegas was in 2015 when I took my daughter Amber there so she could interview with the dolphin show at The Mirage. We stayed at the Circus Circus RV Park.

Three days ago, Las Vegas Strip - Trip Reports Facebook page posted the following:

BREAKING LAS VEGAS

While an official announcement has not yet been made, rumors are growing that Circus Cicrus Hotel in Las Vegas will be demolished and replaced with a new luxury resort by a world known brand that I cant directly say yet. I would stop in several more times if you have the chance. Circus Circus is apparently up for Sale!

Circus Circus has been a popular hotel and casino since the 1960s. It was featured the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever starring Sean Connery. We stayed at the hotel tower in 1986 when I got married.

It has been a bit rundown in recent years. This has also fed to rumor mill.  

It would not come as a surprise if the rumors turn out to be true. Too bad, if so.

RVer's Guide To Visiting Hoover Dam

Above, Hoover Dam in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I visited Hoover Dam was six years ago with a couple of friends.

We stayed in Las Vegas and took a drive to Hoover Dam. I had been there before in 1973 which was years before the Memorial Bridge (which offers great views of the dam) was built. During the 1973 visit, we took a tour of the dam's power plant.

Above, a view of Memorial Bridge from the dam. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel has posted an article, "An RVer's Guide To Visiting Hoover Dam and Beyond".

It starts off with:

Hoover Dam is a sight to behold, especially for RVers who can take advantage of the nearby Lake Mead area as a base for exploration. If you’re planning upcoming RV trips, you really should consider this one.

To read more, go here. 

Trump's Las Vegas Rally

Above, the Las Vegas rally last night before Trump's arrival. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Last night, I went to bed a bit later than usual as I watched the Trump rally from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nevada is a battleground state and is important as to the outcome of this election.

Friends Mitch & Holly Geriminsky and Dwight & Sandie Kuntz attended the rally at the World Market Center. I was able to watch the rally on Live Now On Fox.  

Trump was scheduled to arrive at 7:00 PM, but was 40 minutes late. I was in text contact with Mitch and Holly and was able to tell them when Trump's plane landed.

Above, Donald Trump addresses the Las Vegas rally. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many speakers spoke before Trump's arrival, including former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to recounted being put on a terror watch list by the FBI after an appearance on the Laura Ingraham Show. She said a FBI whistleblower exposed this and he ended up getting fired and doxxed. The Biden-Harris Administration are using the FBI as their personal Gestapo secret police against political opponents. This will only get worse if Harris wins in November. 

Speaking of tyranny, Gabbard said last night that this is an election of "freedom versus tyranny."

The rally looked like a lot of fun.

By the way, the latest Rasmussen poll has Trump up 6% over Harris.

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. 

What Is The Age To Gamble In Las Vegas?

Above, slot machines in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During the cruise to the Bahamas, I did some gambling in the Norwegian Sky casino. I played roulette and ended up making $60.

Roulette has been my favorite table game. I first started playing it in Las Vegas at the "ripe old age" of 19. Yes, I was illegally playing as Nevada law stipulated that one must be at least 21 years old to play. Yes, teens do crazy things. I must have looked at least 21 as I was never questioned.

This got me thinking, What is the current age to gamble in Las Vegas?

Well, it is still 21.

According to Casino.com:

Now comes the real question: “How old do you have to be to gamble in Vegas?” Though it is a hedonist destination, there are rules. And like the rest of the United States, the rules dictate that all players must be at least 21 years old in order to play.

Each establishment that offers gambling has to get a license from The Nevada Gaming Commission. Whether it be for a handful of slots or a full-service casino, the same rules apply. Both the Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board fully expect license holders to adhere to the regulations and laws that have been put into place to protect the perception and integrity of the gaming industry as a whole.

Failing to adhere to those stringent rules comes with heavy penalties. Like the six-figure-fine kind of penalty. There are even some cases where an establishment can have its license revoked without measures to improve security.

For that reason, casinos and any other establishment that offers gambling is strict about the “21 or older” rule. More importantly, the casinos aren’t the only ones being governed here. Anyone caught trying to play at a casino that is underage faces penalty as well.

In Nevada, anyone gambling in a casino that is under the age of 21 faces a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. At the very least, expect to sit in a jail cell for a night and be forced to stare down expensive legal bills.

There are stories of underage gamblers who have won massive jackpots only to be forced to give them up because they were underage. Vegas staff has been trained to spot a fake, which means there is an exceptional chance of getting caught.

Some states have the same 21 years of age laws and some do allow 18-year-olds to gamble. If one is in a state where you must be 21 years old to gamble, it is best not to do it for the reasons stated above.

RV SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR BURNING MAN: TIPS AND TRICKS

 

For those who have never been to the Burning Man festival, like me, an article from Do It Yourself RV could very well help one survive it.

If I were 20 years or more younger, I might consider going to it. I know of one person who attended (a fellow Clamper's son and girlfriend). and that was back in the 1990s.

For those who are not familiar with the week-long festival in the desert, in a nutshell, here's what it is:

Burning Man takes place in Black Rock City, a temporary community built in the Black Rock Desert of northwestern Nevada. The location is about 141 miles north of Reno and far from big cities.

Burning Man is a week-long counterculture festival that takes place annually in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The festival is centered around community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance, and is named after the burning of a large wooden effigy called "the Man" on the penultimate night. The festival has been held since 1986, and has grown from a small ritual on Baker Beach in San Francisco to a large-scale event that draws tens of thousands of participants, known as "burners".

Do It Yourself RV begins their article with:

In 2007, I took my first trip to Burning Man. I went with a group of female friends and even took my 75-year-old mother. At the time, my mom and I were camping in a tiny teardrop trailer, and we had a group shelter made from PVC pipe and a parachute.

During that week, a 40-mile-an-hour wind ripped apart our shelter. I got trapped in a dust storm for several hours, miles from camp. And the largest structure ever built at the event was blown apart by 900 gallons of jet fuel.

Even after all of that, I fell in love with Burning Man and continued to go for more than a decade!

To read the full article, go here. 

The Mirage Hotel Now History

Above, The Mirage's sign on Las Vegas Blvd. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas is now history.

It had been acquired by and will be transformed into the Hard Rock Las Vegas, which will be a two-year project.

Above, The Mirage in January 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to PR Newswire:

LAS VEGAS, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock International (HRI) today announced its plans to cease operations of The Mirage Hotel & Casino as of July 17, 2024, to begin the transformation of the property into the highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Guitar Hotel Las Vegas (HRHCLV).  

Hard Rock will develop a new integrated resort featuring a nearly 700 ft. guitar-shaped hotel towering prominently in the center of the famous Las Vegas Strip. 

Above, yours truly in front of The Mirage in April 2015. Photo by Amber Vaquer.

I stayed at The Mirage once, which was over New Years in 2015-16 and saw "The Beatles Love" show. I had been there once before when my daughter applied to work in the hotel's dolphin show. We stayed in the motorhome at Circus Circus RV Park on that trip, which was the first for the RV after I bought it. 

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. 

The Mirage Hotel To Close In July

Above, The Mirage on January 2, 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As if we needed a Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Mirage Hotel, where I stayed over New Year's during 2015-16, will be no more this coming July.

According to the Vintage Las Vegas Facebook page:

The Mirage will close July 17, 2024. The landmark Strip resort is shutting down to be remade into Hard Rock Las Vegas.

I rather liked The Mirage Hotel. I will be sorry to see it go. 

I suppose this also means the end of "The Beatles Love" show will end as well, unless it moves elsewhere.

Investigation of "Lovelock Giants"

The following had been passed on to me last evening.

It concerns the legendary "Lovelock Giants" of Nevada. Supposedly, skeletons of larger than normal humans have been found in caves in the state near Lovelock, Nevada along with other artifacts. The heights of these skeletons are eight to ten feet tall.

According to NDTV:

Recent archaeological discoveries in Nevada have reignited interest in a long-held legend of red-haired giants who once roamed the Americas, according to The Independent.

The story began in 1911, when miners digging for fertiliser in Lovelock Cave unearthed unusual artifacts. This led to official excavations in 1912 and 1924, uncovering thousands of artefacts and the remains of individuals nicknamed the "Lovelock Giants." These mummies measured an astonishing 8 to 10 feet tall, according to the news outlet.

Archaeologists also found a 15-inch-long sandal showing signs of wear, and a boulder with a seemingly giant handprint etched onto it. A 1931 local newspaper article reported the discovery of two more giant skeletons, around 8.5 and 10 feet tall, in a nearby dry lake bed. These remains were even described as being mummified in a similar way to those of the Ancient Egyptians.

Intriguingly, the Paiute tribe inhabiting the region for millennia possesses a legend of cannibalistic red-haired giants called the Si-Te-Cah. These giants, according to the legend, arrived by sea and dominated the area due to their superior size and strength.

Further supporting the legend, a 16th-century Spanish conquistador documented an ancient Peruvian tale about giants who crossed the ocean on large reed rafts. He described them as being so tall that their legs from the knee down were as long as an average man's entire body.

 To read more, go here.

Las Vegas Better Deal Under The Mob?

Above, looking south on the Las Vegas Strip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've been catching up on 1990s movies in all genres.

The latest was the 1995 Martin Scorsese movie, Casino. It stars Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone and James Woods.

It is based on real-life events that led to the downfall of the Mafia's control of Las Vegas casinos.

The movie's synopsis:

In early-1970s Las Vegas, low-level mobster Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) gets tapped by his bosses to head the Tangiers Casino. At first, he's a great success in the job, but over the years, problems with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Sharon Stone), her con-artist ex Lester Diamond (James Woods) and a handful of corrupt politicians put Sam in ever-increasing danger. Martin Scorsese directs this adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book.

The real-life hotel the Tangiers Casino was based on was the Stardust Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. It is quite entertaining. The senator in the movie (played by Dick Smothers) was based on Sen. Harry Reid (so I've been told). 

My grade on the movie: A-.

The movie got me thinking: Was Las Vegas better when it was run by the Mafia?

Back in 1973, two friends and I spent spring break in Las Vegas and I came home with half of what I brought with me. I did well at the Hacienda Hotel's roulette tables. Food was cheap. I have the feeling that others do that Las Vegas was a better deal when it was run by the mob than with the greedy corporations who run it now.

Here's some snippets on this from an article in the Las Vegas Sun:

Things were better when the Mob ran this town. We hear this often enough to make it almost a cliché, and with last week’s opening of the Mob Museum, er, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, it seems like an argument worth examining.

Also, think of the extreme irony of claiming there was less crime when the Mob ran the town. “They were out doing burglaries!” Green quipped, referring to the “Hole in the Wall Gang.”

As I learned at the museum, which opened Valentine’s Day on Stewart Avenue downtown, the skim at the Stardust was $7 million per year; at the Flamingo, it was $36 million from 1960 to 1967; at the Tropicana it was $150,000 per month. That money was stolen from the community and sent to criminal gangs back East.

(Given the events of the past few years, I can appreciate that, for many people, banks vs. organized crime is a close call.)

As Sloan notes, cocktail waitresses, bartenders and maître d’s made great money in Mob days, in part because the IRS wasn’t as rigorous about collecting taxes on tips. The casinos didn’t have to report when someone won a big jackpot, and let’s remember that there was no competition from Atlantic City or anywhere else.

As for the food? If you look hard, you can still find a $7 prime rib dinner, though I’m not sure why you would. Our food these days is more expensive, but it’s also far better.

From the Texarkana Gazette:

But over the years, the old guys died off and successful prosecutions ran off much of the hidden ownership of the gambling clubs.

And that's too bad-at least in my opinion. The mob knew how to run a casino.

They expected the casino to make money and didn't care if the rest of the place showed a loss. Give enough play at the tables and everything was free. But even the low-rollers who stuck to the nickel slots got a cheap room and cheaper meals. Drinks were free at the tables and machines and didn't cost much more at the bars.

Today, the odds of winning are worsening. One now has to bet more to win less.

From the Daily Mail (U.K.):

Gamblers are wagering more than ever in Las Vegas as casinos increase odds and reduce payouts in some of the most popular games.

Blackjack losses on the Strip were nearly $1 billion last year, according to official figures - the second highest on record after 2007.

The increase comes as casino bosses attempt to draw in 'higher value customers' while players with less cash to wager are priced out.

Roulette has also had odds increased in many places. The number of triple-zero tables - which add another slot to the wheel and increase the odds of hitting a chosen number - has increased.

Minimum bets are also rising, meaning players must risk more cash to play games.

The changes, reported in an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, also come as the overall price of a vacation to Las Vegas increases, with costs at hotels and restaurants also on the rise.

These days, I rarely go to Las Vegas. When I do, I don't gamble as I used to. I rarely go gambling at the local Red Rock Navajo Casino in Gallup. I just go there for their prime rib special on Fridays.

Dealing With Medical Emergencies While RVing

Above, St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center where I had two stents put in. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I have been RVing, I've only had to deal with one medical emergency while on a road trip.

That took place six years ago while at the Wells (Nevada) Fun Run. While at a restaurant in town, I was stricken when a coronary artery became blocked. Luckily, I was with friends who jumped into action and got the paramedics to me very fast. I ended up being flown to Twin Falls, Idaho to have two stents put in at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center.

RV Travel has posted an article with a video on dealing with medical emergencies while RVing.

They begin it with:

The video below from Dustin and Leslie, aka Wayward Waggs, is an important one in that it could save your life or the life of someone you know. That’s because it covers dealing with medical emergencies on the road.

The time to think about preparing for medical emergencies on the road is BEFORE they happen. Therefore, the Waggs cover the emergency medical supplies they keep with them on the road at all times.

To read more and view the video, 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.

Five and Six Years Ago Today

Above, a few hours after the stents were put in. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Today marks five years since I had a near-heart attack from an arterial blockage that required two stents.

The episode took place at Bella's Restaurant and Espresso in Wells, Nevada where four of us were about to have lunch. It hit just after our food was delivered. We were in Wells for the annual Wells Fun Run car rally. Needless to say, I missed the car show.

I had to be airlifted via helicopter to Twin Falls, Idaho to the Magic Valley Medical Center. Since then, I have been feeling fine.

This day also marks six years since my cousin Ralph was found deceased from a heart attack. My phone number was apparently the only one on his cell phone and the L.A. County Sheriff called me with the news. My roommate Jessica and I were at the Northridge In-N-Out Burger when I got the call. It was up to me to notify his sister Rosemarie. 

I think of my cousin Ralph often. He and I used to hit record stores for vintage records in the months preceding his passing. Fun times. 

Colorado Plateau: 7 Most Scenic Road Trips

Above, the Mesa Verde National Park Loop is a recommended drive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Southwest has plenty to see and do for vacationers, especially the Colorado Plateau.

There are scenic highways to drive, some of which are in the mountains and some are in national parks. World Atlas has listed seven of the most scenic road trips one can make. I have driven five of them.

They begin with:

The following picturesque road trips highlight the Colorado Plateau's jaw-dropping natural vistas and historical attractions which overflow with activities and landmarks for travelers to discover. These trips provide deep insights into the region's diverse tapestry, from twisting routes through red rock canyons to motorways connecting to ancient Native American sites. Discover impressive rock formations, colorful desert vistas, spotless national parks, and important historical sites, all while taking advantage of the ample possibilities for hiking, photographing, and engaging with the Colorado Plateau's cultural and natural legacy. 

To read more, go here. 

What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled Due To Weather

Above, the bad weather started in Wells, Nevada that led to flight cancellations in 2021. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many flights were cancelled due to thunderstorm activity last weekend. This happened to me in 2021 when trying to return home from Wells, Nevada. During that trip, thunderstorms were practically everywhere along my flight route (Twin Falls to Salt Lake City to Albuquerque).

This resulted in my flight being cancelled. I had to stay overnight in a hotel in Salt Lake City. I rebooked a flight for the next day. Thank goodness I was able to do my rebooking with my cell phone with Internet access. Unfortunately, the hotel room cost came out of my pocket.

KRQE has posted an article on what to do and what one's rights are if their flight(s) is cancelled.

They begin it with:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid peak summer travel, thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend and Monday as thunderstorms rolled in across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest.

In addition to bad weather, a technology failing also contributed to to airline disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly paused operations at Washington, D.C.-area airports Sunday evening due to a problem with the communications system at a major air traffic control facility. Departures resumed after repairs were completed.

Beyond D.C., a chain of flights were also delayed or halted at other major travel hubs — including New York, Chicago and Atlanta — as thunderstorms moved across the country.

Nearly 2,000 U.S. flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday combined, according to flight tracking service FlightAware, and more than 1,400 U.S. flights had been canceled as of 2:45 p.m. ET Monday. Thousands of additional travelers experienced delays.

Staying calm — and knowing your rights — can go a long way if your flight is canceled, experts say.

To read more, go here. 

Is Hospital Overnight RV Camping Allowed?

Above, the RV camping area at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Can you camp overnight in a hospital parking lot?

That is the topic of an article in RV Life and one we had to face five years ago in Twin Falls, Idaho.

While in Wells, Nevada for the Wells Fun Run car show and rally, I had my little heart attack and had to be flown by helicopter to the St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center to have two stents put into a coronary artery.

My friend Mitch drove my motorhome up to Twin Falls. Fortunately, the medical center has an RV camping area with electrical hook-ups. He stayed there for two nights until I was released from the hospital. Other hospitals may not have RV camping areas. So what can one do in a similar scenario?

RV Life begins with:

Can you camp overnight in a hospital parking lot? Typically, hospitals are fine with you parking your RV in their parking lot, particularly if you have a loved one in the hospital or are visiting someone.

These lots are usually pretty big, and there probably won’t be many other vehicles overnight. However, if you are just passing through, it might be best to find somewhere else to drop your jacks.

In either scenario, it’s always a good idea to get permission before you unhitch your trailer or set up camp. Find out where the administration area of the hospital is located and ask someone there for the OK. There may be someone at an information desk or kiosk that can help. Of course, that may have to be done during office hours, which could pose a problem for a later evening stop.

To read more, go here.