Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com
Serves 6
Ingredients
2-3 apples, cubed, Gala, Golden Delicious or other variety
1/2 cup walnuts, halved
1/4 cup yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
zest and juice from 1/2 lemon
fresh ground pepper
1 tsp honey or granulated sugar
2-3 celery ribs, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
1/4 cup golden raisins or dried cranberries
1/4 cup seedless grapes (red grapes, prefered)
Directions
Start by combining the apples, celery, nuts, and raisins in a bowl. Next combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey and pepper in another bowl. Just before serving pour the dressing over the apple mixture and toss thoroughly. Set aside in refrigerator until ready to serve.
by Tom Gonser 10/2011 (courtesy of www.rversonline.org)
[Ed Note 10/2011: We initially published this in the late 1990s, and with minor revision is as valid today as it was lo those many years ago.]
RVers are a friendly sort of people. They enjoy making new friends, talking about their rigs, and inevitably sharing their opinions on the "best" RV parks they've visited. We've long wondered what the common characteristics of the "top" RV parks might be. And while we don't claim to have the perfect prescription, we believe there are certain qualities among RV parks which seem consistently to be on everyone's list of favorites. These are based both on our own observations, and on the many comments we've received from our RVers Online friends. We offer it as a a compendium of observations and suggestions which we hope will be of value to the growing number of RV park owners and managers whom we've been pleased to welcome as guests and participants at this site.
We think it's important to provide a bit of focus on the scope of what we're describing. We're purposely not attempting to include full time or extended stay RV destinations -- primarily the Snowbird parks across the southern tier of states. There the measure of attraction seems strongly tilted towards "planned activities", and the park's unique "social structure". We are likewise not focusing on RVers whose annual mileage is low, and whose average stay is measured in weeks or months. Instead, we mean to describe the preferences of RVers who enjoy traveling to many different regions, and who find themselves often staying at one RV park only one or a few days at a time.
Let's look at just what makes an RVer conclude that this is a park that surely deserves a return visit:
First Impressions: As the saying goes, there's no second chance to make a first impression. How true that is in the context of RV parks! What happens when you first walk into the office? You either have a feeling of being genuinely welcome; or you immediately have the sense of just being another statistic. Sure, there's a form to fill out. We understand that. But is the person behind the desk just asking rote questions and putting raw data into boxes? Or was there first a warm greeting, and during the course of the adminstrative formalaties perhaps some discussion about where you're from, and all the interesting things there are to do and see where you've just arrived?
This "first impression" thing simply cannot be overstated. Once you're all signed in, have your park map in hand, and headed to your site, an RVer begins "seeing" this new and unfamiliar park through either the lense of a "good" feeling, which tends to make everything look just a bit nicer; or through the more critical lense of a less-than-welcome feeling derived from the sign-in process. Whichever feeling the RVer has will cause him or her to see the park in either a more or less favorable light.
Site spacing: Do the sites offer a sufficient feeling of "space"? Is there ample room on either side of the RV for that pleasant feeling of "light and air"? Or do the sites look more suitable for RV storage...? We understand that RV park owners must make a tradeoff between site size and revenue when they design their parks. Obviously the larger the individual sites, the fewer revenue producing units there will be. Typically only public RV parks (national, state, or county) are not bound by such concerns, and are thus able in many cases to offer RV parks with enormous distances between sites. We understand that. But where the park design has resulted in sites which preclude any sense of privacy because of an unacceptable spacing, it's not one we're likely to see for more than one night. And surely not again on the return trip. With the increased size of RVs these days, a park which is not designed to accommodate at least some "big rigs", or units with sliders, is ensuring a diminishing clientele as time goes by.
Site landscaping: Is the site to which you've just been assigned aesthetically pleasing? Perhaps a tree, some shrubbery, or a neatly maintained plot of grass? Is the site reasonably level, so that there's no need to use an armful of blocks and chocks to ensure that when you look out of your window the world is right side up? Is the surface, whether gravel, concrete, blacktop or "other", something that will help avoid ruined inside carpeting in case it rains? Is the space for your slider thoughtfully planned? How often we've seen sites which, while otherwise well designed, has an unnecessarily tall utility post that is right smack in the way of where a slider needs the space -- resulting in having to park the RV practically in the street at one end or the other of the site. It's always nice to have a concrete slab by the door, a fire ring -- or perhaps barbeque, and a table. But we'd gladly concede any of these for a positive reading on most of the other items we've mentioned. Finally, individual site landscaping is really an element of overall park design. We find parks which show a bit of imagination in avoiding the "parking lot look" to be much more pleasant in overall appearance. The availability of spacious common areas such as a large grassy field, a woodsy space with trails, or a stretch of beach -- also contributes to a pleasant environment.
Utilities: These are nice conveniences, and almost "expected" where the daily tariff tends toward the higher end. Yet we're aware of some parks, primarily state or U.S. parks, where there are no utilities save perhaps for a common water and sewer site. One of our top choices, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument comes to mind. But privately owned parks are ordinarily expected to have at least the "basics" -- water, power (usually 50 amps), and sewer. To us the sewer connection is the least important, as for a stay of one or two days, it's almost a waste of time to set up and take down all the gear. All too many parks have an amazing propensity to do something inconvenient in designing the utility connections. In some cases they are so far removed from the site that a normal 25' hose or electric connection won't quite reach it. Or worse, they are for reasons which defy all logic, on the wrong side, requiring stringing wires and hoses right through what should be the outdoor "patio" area.
Still other parks insist on placing the utilities on such high pedestals that they interfere with the increasing number of slide-out units that are coming into the parks. We don't consider cable TV to be essential, but for many it is a nice convenience. What RVers find annoying, however, is where they go to the trouble of hooking into the TV outlet only to find that either (i) the signal is so weak that it's amost impossible to see; or (ii) the park has included such a budget package of available channels as to make the offering virtually useless. The teaching point seems to be: If you're going to offer cable, make certain the signal is properly boosted and distributed; and for heaven's sake offer at least a reasonable selection of channels.
Park Location: Just as an RVers opinion of his or her individual site is influenced in part by the total environment of the park, the opinion of the entire park will be influenced by where it is in relation to the outside environment. How many times has an otherwise "perfect" setting become otherwise when the first freight train seemed to roar right through the center of the park? A similar distraction can be caused by parks which are located too close to major streets or highways -- especially when little or no attention has been made to block the visual and audio effects of such busy thoroughfares. We recognize that RV park owners can't change the physical location of their parks, which of course makes that initial decision to acquire it crucial. However we've seen lots of parks which have succeeded in minimizing the awareness of nearby distractions of various types.
Restrooms: Though most RVs are reasonably self contained, the typical RV shower still seems more suited to sardines than people. And the bathroom facilities are often cramped as well. This puts a premium on pleasant and clean park facilities which are both easily accessible (i.e., reasonably close), and of sufficient size to accommodate a full park without appearing to turn the washrooms into those typical of a crowded football stadium at halftime. It's always wonderful to find a facility which is complete with colors, tile, individual private shower/dressing room combinations, and the like. But realistically, the most crucial element is cleanliness. Not "sort of" clean -- but unquestionably clean and fresh. "Modern" is of course nice. But we've seen less-than-new facilities which had fresh paint, colorful window treatments, and other tasteful trimmings which made it a superb facility. It's hard to imagine a more significant "negative" about an RV park than sub-standard maintenance of the washrooms. We're always pleased to find that the facility includes soap dispensers and paper towels, making it unnecessary for us to drag towels and soap back and forth every time we use the washroom.
Internet Friendly: Anyone who has visited this site before knows what we think about this one. We think all RV parks need to offer a quality WiFi signal, and we believe it should be part of the daily rate. WiFi signals that only "sort of" reach most of the park are inadequate; and download speeds that are less than 500 Kb are also inadequate. Reliability is crucial, and the park needs to know how to make a quick fix if the signal for some reason goes down. Parks that opt for a fee based system should provide some reasonable provision for the overnight guest, such as the first hour free. Outside vendors to RV park will offer a rate of $30 per month, but may charge $12 for just one overnight visit. That's entirely unacceptable, and will drive traffic elsewhere.
Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com
Ingredients
Chicken wings, preferably fresh not previously frozen
salt and pepper
Directions
Sprinkle chicken wings with salt and pepper and let stand while you light and heat a charcoal or gas grill.
Heat the grill to medium and grill wings turning often to avoid burning.
Wings are done when meat is no longer pink and juices run clear.
Serve with buffalo sauce or other dipping sauce
Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com/
Ingredients
Graham Crackers
Milk Chocolate Squares
Crunchy peanut butter
Raspberry jelly
Roasted marshmallows
Directions
To easily assemble these smores spread peanut butter on an even number of graham cracker halves and raspberry jelly on the other. Place the chocolate squares on top of the jelly side then top with roasted marshmallows.
Then dive in an enjoy!
by Tom Gonser 04/2011 (courtesy of www.rversonline.org)
Sometimes it seems we need to be driving a car to fully understand some of the reasons many drivers will do anything possible to avoid being in traffic behind an RV. Sometimes the urge is so great that motorists will take almost any risk to avoid being in that position.
There’s of course the issue of RV size, which prevents the motorists immediately behind from having a clear view of the road ahead. There’s not much we can do about that one. However the most serious problem derives from the fact that most RVers realize that they require more time to stop; need to approach corners with a bit more caution; and in some cases lack sufficient power to climb hills at highway speeds. In general, RVs therefore tend to be a bit slower on the highways. Other motorists know this, and that’s why they will too frequently take unnecessary risks to get past the RV that’s just in front of them -- often heading a line of several cars just waiting for the opportunity to get past, and back to what for them might be a more normal highway speed.
We drive frequently between our primary residence in Bend, Oregon, and our small second home on the central Oregon coast in Florence. It’s really a beautiful drive of about four hours. But the highway is not an Interstate; and for the most part it’s two lanes. There are a number of places where the highway is designed to provide drivers with an opportunity to keep traffic flowing at a reasonable speed. These are “passing lanes” -- a stretch of perhaps only a few hundred yards to as much as a half mile where there are two lanes going forward -- the perfect time to get past that RV, occasional piece of farm equipment, or slow moving truck.
Unfortunately what happens here too often reflects poorly on us as RVers. Thoughtless RV drivers often see that comparatively straight stretch of roadway ahead and tend to speed up at that point. As a consequence perhaps only one or two cars in what has now become a long line of waiting cars is able to get by before the sign appears saying “Passing Lane Ends”. Perhaps one or two more cars race to squeeze by as the two lanes merge back into one, often creating yet another unnecessary and dangerous situation. With the safe passing opportunity now gone, the RV seems to slow again as the road becomes narrower and with more curves ahead. Probably this RV driver is not intentionally trying to see how many cars can be trapped behind an RV on a mostly two-lane road. More likely this RVer is simply thoughtless and terribly inconsiderate of others traveling in the same direction. But whoever it is surely is giving all RVers a bad name -- and we need to stop it.
We've driven our own RV on this same roadway many times. And even though we’re usually traveling close to the speed limit, and have ample power to pull the hills with the four-wheelers, we’re extremely aware of traffic that builds up behind us. Whenever we reach one of those passing lanes, or see a long stretch of straight roadway ahead that will permit passing, we SLOW DOWN to permit the cars that wish to drive faster go by safely. Not just some of them -- all of them. It never “costs us” more than a few seconds, and clearly it is greatly appreciated by the drivers behind us.
The bottom line here is a simple one. Let’s all be more thoughtful about those potential passing situations when we’re driving our RVs. Most RVers truly are careful and cautious drivers. But too often we are not thoughtful about the image we create for all RVers when we fail to take advantage of such easy opportunities to be good citizens of the roadways...
Recipe courtesy of www.campingcafe.com
Ingredients
1 or more prepared pizza crust - like Boboli™
Pepperoni
Pizza Sauce (Contadina™ makes one in a plastic squeeze bottle - perfect for camping)
Mixed Italian cheeses
Olive Oil
metal tongs
heavy duty tin foil
optional:
crushed red pepper and Parmesan
Directions
Prepare grill or campfire for indirect cooking.
Brush top of prepared pizza crust with a little olive oil.
Place directly on grate oiled side down and cook for a minute or 2 until golden - careful not to burn it. Remove from heat.
Place crust bottom side down on a double layer of tin foil.
Cover crust with pizza sauce.
Top sauce with a generous amount of cheese - you're camping calories don't count.
Place pepperoni on top of cheese.
Cook on prepared cooking area of grill or campfire for 2 - 6 minutes depending on temperature of fire.
Pizza is done when cheese is melted.
Additional Tips:
Careful not to burn the bottom of the crust. You may have to adjust the pizzas position over your fire.
Finance your next RV or Camper at www.camperloan.com
by Tom Gonser 07/2012 (courtesy of www.rversonline.org)
During recent summer RV travels we had the good fortune of staying in Howard Miller Steelhead Park, a visionary project created by the Washington State’s Skagit County Board of Commissioners. The RV park is near Rockport, Washington, along the banks of the Skagit River. The park offers 39 very nicely spaced RV sites with full amenities (water/power/sewer), has both paved roads and RV parking sites, and is attractively landscaped and maintained. The park is designed to accommodate today’s longer, wider RVs. It’s the type of park one finds intending only to stay overnight, but can’t resist staying for a longer time.
Opportunities Realized -- and Neglected
We’ve seen other highly successful RV parks developed by county governments, port authorities, or other local governmental entities. But they are remarkably few and far between. Much more common is to find a plot of ground owned by one of these governmental units that has superb potential to attract the traveling RVer -- but no one has connected the dots to see the valuable potential for developing the property as an RV Park.
We have a home in Florence, Oregon. Just down the coast from us is Winchester Bay. There the local port authority, which had a prime plot of unused real estate, developed an available waterfront parcel into one of the most attractive coastal RV parks along the Oregon Coast. This formerly dormant piece of real estate has attracted thousand of RVer visitors into the Reedsport/Winchester Bay area during seasonal months, bringing a very significant economic stimulus to the surrounding area. The park was developed with the assistance of a well-known RV park design consultant.
Closer to home, the port authority that controls a parcel of land with similar potential in Florence, OR has let its real estate asset continue as a completely outdated rudimentary RV park that is only partly paved; has completely inadequate site spacing; offers marginal amenities, and fails to attract the high-end RV consumer that has discovered far better RV accommodations just a half hour south in Winchester Bay. While the RV facility at the Florence port property has contributed somewhat to the economy of the superb historical business area within walking distance, it falls incredibly short of its potential to tap into the economic stimulus that would come by following the example from its neighbor to the south.
But the Story gets Worse
Unfortunately the worst-case scenario is by far the most common: A country or local governmental authority owns vacant real estate with outstanding potential for development as an RV park -- and either does not recognize the potential, or fails to take the initiative to make the development happen. What’s particularly striking about this failure is that local governments often hold real estate parcels that have offer exceptional opportunities to attract RVers, whether it’s fishing, hiking, bird watching, golfing, biking, or access to near by recreational opportunities. With the right business strategy, a properly designed and managed RV park can be the source of a significant new revenue potential for local businesses. One would think in this age of scarce resources for local governments there would be a far higher state of awareness of such potential options.
In some cases a privately owned RV park may already be available. But usually that’s not the case. Moreover, because county (and other local) governments often own real estate at a carrying cost well below market value, it has the option of designing an attractive RV park with large and widely separated sites -- something that’s highly valued by RVers, and seldom found even in the best of privately owned RV parks. In our view the failure of county and other local governmental units to both see and evaluate this economic potential is resulting in an amazing loss of economic opportunity to the local communities that are impacted by this lack of vision.
Caution: It’s not a Slam Dunk
While there are an incredible number of “lost opportunities” out there, waking up to the potential for RV park development is only Step One in the process. Surely not every vacant parcel is a suitable candidate for development as an RV park -- though that conclusion surely cannot be reached without first being alert to that possibility. RV parks always have issues relating to to a variety of factors, including seasonality, location, recreational opportunities in the surrounding area, and topographical considerations. And it would be unrealistic to expect a county government to be skilled in making such an evaluation. Typically this will require pursuing the opinion of an expert qualified to evaluate the business potential, as well as assist with the park design and management. There are a few such qualified individuals out there, and we have indicated one source of that consulting expertise elsewhere at this site. The initial contact and general consultation should cost nothing; and any fee commitment should only be incurred where further evaluation appears justified.
There are numerous considerations known to experts about the feasibility of building an RV park on vacant property owned by a local government. From our perspective, among the most significant would be the potential to attract large numbers of RVers for the economic benefit of the local community. The benefit is not only in the fees generated by RV guests, but by their economic interaction with the surrounding community. These folks purchase fuel, groceries and supplies; and they thoroughly enjoy dining out at the local restaurants, and participating in local attractions and events.
This outcome is optimally achieved with a park that will attract RVers willing to pay a daily rate associated with spacious RV accommodation that is usually only found at thoughtfully designed parks on public lands. In virtually all cases the facility should be designed for short-term stays; and neither invite nor permit the property to be used for quasi-residential purposes. Unfortunately this mistake has happened all to often -- even though it’s easily avoidable with a properly designed management scheme.
If it Appears we Lament...
That’s probably an accurate assessment. We could name countless locations where we have seen potentially outstanding opportunities lie dormant. Dormant either because the local government officials were oblivious to the options for development; or in some cases despite the needed recognition the inexcusable lack of motivation to move such a project forward for a careful and objective investigation. There is much more that we could add to this short article. But the thought of going further into specifics for the benefit of so many ears that are turned the other way simply does not justify doing so here. Should there be county or local governments that genuinely want to consider possible next steps, we would be more than happy to point out a few logical first steps.
