Episode 146: What the RV Lifestyle is all about

The RV Podcast

Episode 146: What the RV Lifestyle is all about

We talk a lot about the RV Lifestyle? But what is it? This week, we hear from a whole bunch of different RVers, from all across North America. I bet the answers we got when we posed this question to a group of RVers we met up near Glacier National Park in Montana will resonate with you, too.

Also in this episode, listener questions and feedback, RV News of the Week, Tips and a great pff the beaten path report.

Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast.

Show Notes for Episode #146 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast:

This episode was recorded in Buffalo, WY… where Longmire Days later this month will brimg some 14,000 fans of author Craig Johnson, whose series of books about a modern Wyoming Sheriff has been the basis of the popular A&E and Netflix series, Longmire.

Mike and Jennifer share their travels over recent weeks to Glacier National Park in Montana, Waterton National Park across the border in Canada, Banff National Park and Lake Louise in Alberta and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK

One of the nice things about the RV Lifestyle is meeting other RVers, hearing their stories, getting to know them and learning from their experience. One such RVer we recently met gives us some RF basic training on an issue involving awnings.

Bottom line: Put it away at night!

Linda explains why.

Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping!

LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:

Peggy asks a question about a 4 x 4 RV and whether she should order one. Mike and Jennifer share their perspective.

And Maureen gave a message of encouragement about the RV community

Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations.

PET TIP OF THE WEEK

Last week, we talked about how most – if not all – U.S. National Parks are not very dog friendly. This week, we can report that Canada’s National Parks ARE.

While there are a lot of restrictions that greatly limit where you can take your dog in the US National Parks, Canada welcomes dogs and only requires that they be on a six-foot leash. On our recent trip to Banff National Park in Alberta, we saw all sorts of people and their dogs enjoying all parts of the park and its many trails. Banff even had a fenced in off-leash area for you to let your dog run free !

We even saw one couple who were kayaking in Lake Louise…. With their poodle, no less! Mike took a photo of that kayaking pooch and will post it with the shownotes for this episode at Roadtreking-dot-com-slash-146.

We noticed the same dog-friendliness last year at the Bruce Peninsula National Park near Tobermore, Ontario. Lots of people and lots of dogs. Everyone is happy.

This year is a particularly good time to visit a Canadian National Park. As Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary, entry into al of the national parks there is free – for everyone.

So head on up north. You and your dog will enjoy Canada’s beautiful National Parks just as much as Mike and I – and Bo.

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Dozers Dental Chews, an all natural and healthy treat your dog will love. Available direct through Amazon , Retailers and Pet Shops across the USA

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

What is the RV Lifestyle all about? Listen as a bunch of RVers share the things that they thunk characterize it the most.

The interview of the week is brought to you by http://sunshinestatervs.com/, where every new or used Roadtrek motorhome is delivered to the customer free, anywhere in the country

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK:

• Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone National Park no longer considered endangered, opening door to hunting outside the park. Read more
• Boy scout group honored for helping dehydrated tourists at Zion National Park, likely saving their lives. Read more
• Father and son on hiking trip at Carlsbad Caverns National Park found dead, likely from heat exhaustion. Read more
• Some 21 U.S. national parks prepare for record-setting crowds Aug. 21 as the Great American Total Solar Eclipse spans the continent. Read more

This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV

TRAVELING TECH TIP:

By Steve Van Dinter

Verizon Wireless

July is almost here and that means we’re all gearing up for the biggest holiday of the summer - the Fourth of July!

To make the most of it though you need the right tools...and this year that means being armed with the right apps.

First up...Gas Buddy. Fuel prices are at their cheapest summer point in a decade, but we’re all still looking for good deals. With Gas Buddy you’ll see not only where the upcoming gas stations are, but you’ll also see the latest prices.

Next...if you’re planning to stay home and make use of the grill, you’ll want to be packing the Weber app. This app is full of all sorts of recipes to ensure your Fourth is flavor packed. And it’s built in timer will make sure your food is grilled to perfection.

While you’re waiting for the fireworks to begin, make the night an educational one by using a free app called Sky Map. Simply point your phone at the sky and you’ll see the names of planets, constellations and even stars appear.

And if the mosquitos or traffic prevent you from making it to a public display, you can enjoy a virtual display at home! Simply pick up the Philips Hue Light Kit and replace your current lights with these bulbs. Then download the Hue Fireworks app from your respective app store. The app will control your lights and make them burst into life with color...even matching them to the firework sounds coming from your phone!

Here’s to a safe, colorful and fun Fourth of July!

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Verizon, which operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide.

Mike and Steve have been talking about cool traveling tech gadgets and gizmos week after week on the RV Podcast. We thought it would be fun to arrange a time and place to show and demonstrate these gadgets. So we will! On Thursday, July 27, we will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan at American RV. You're invited to come for an in person demo. Grand Rapids is not far Lake Michigan and there are lots of camping opportunities in the area. Come meet us!

OFF THE BEATEN PATH REPORT - Anna Burkett

New England towns have plenty of vestigial British references. One of these is the suffix minster, as in Westminster, which designates a town with a monastic center or a cathedral. Leominster Massachusetts cedes that distinction to its namesake in the old country, but does have an interesting history. It's the only town in the central part of the state that sits on land legally purchased from its former Native American residents. For many years it was an agricultural center, but quickly transitioned to manufacturing during the industrial revolution.

The tolerance that made the town a center of activity on the Underground Railroad also attracted large numbers of Irish, Italian, and French immigrants. These old world craftspeople were skilled at making combs from animal hoof and horn, earning Leominster the nickname of the comb city. As the raw materials for this work became scarce, entrepreneurs took up a new substance called celluloid, and Leominster emerged as a center in the nascent plastics industry. Among the early pioneers of this technology were Foster Grant, who made his fortune selling plastic sunglasses and Earl Tupper whose burping kitchen bowls were a staple of home parties in the 50s and 60s. As if that weren't enough, in 1956 local sculptor Don Featherstone created a mold based on a photo he saw in National Geographic and the pink lawn flamingo began to migrate across the globe. It's hard to find physical traces of this former glory around town. The much-praised plastics museum has closed, and a fascinating display at the Fitchburg museum only makes occasional appearances. Don't despair, though, this town has several more surprises in store. One of them is a historical marker and a model of the birthplace home of John Chapman. Chapman was an explorer in the early days of the westward expansion. He purchased land and planted orchards in advance of settlements. By the time the settlers arrived, the orchards were producing, and Chapman sold them for a handsome price. Apples were important on the frontier because they provided Something safe to drink as well as alcoholic beverages. You may think of him as a barefoot eccentric who married an Indian maiden, but Johnny Appleseed was a canny entrepreneur. And everyone will find something to enjoy at the Top Fun aviation toy museum. The two septuagenarian operators of this storefront wonder, one a pilot, the other a historian, will take you through the development of aviation toys from rubber spaceships of the 1930s to the most modern Star Wars fighters. You'll see extravagant rare Polly Pocket and My Little Pony jetliners, and have the opportunity to compete in a paper airplane flying contest. Operating on what appears to be less than a shoestring, here is a testament to the passion of eccentric collectors. History is layers deep in the industrial milltowns of New England. Take time to do a little digging, and you can unearth a handful of gems wherever you look. And while you're looking, watch out for my parents, Patti and Tom Burkett, somewhere off the beaten path.

Resources:

http://www.topfunaviation.com/

http://www.fitchburgartmuseum.org/Plastic-Imagination.php

https://www.chemheritage.org/distillations/magazine/plastic-town

https://www.biography.com/people/johnny-appleseed-38103

This part of the podcast is sponsored by Steinbring Motorcoach, Roadtrek’s newest dealer and a third generation family business in suburban Minneapolis built on quality motohomes and excellent pricing and service.