Our longtime boondocking buddy Campskunk has shared lots of information on the blog and podcast about traveling North America as a fulltime RVer. But he’s now expanding his territory and is about to embark on a six month RV tour of Europe. His RV is now on a ship somewhere in the mid Atlantic. In a week or so, Campskunk and his wife, Sharon, and their cat, Fiona, will fly to Belgium and pick their RVup at the dock and begin the tour.
In this episode of the RV Podcast, Campskunk shares what you need to do to take your RV to Europe. And he tells us the places he’ll go, where he’ll boondock and how much it will cost.
Plus your RV questions, RV news and lots of tips and helpful RV information.
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Show Notes for Episode #135 April 12, 2017 of Roadtreking – The RV Lifestyle Podcast:
JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK
One frustration many RVers have is not having enough room to take all the things they’d like in those small RV refrigerators.
Our friends Tom Burkett and his wife, Patti, have found an innovate way to get more food in the RV freezer
Tom shares his idea with us at [spp-timestamp time=”5:20″]
And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me.
You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox.I love hearing from you!
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:
- Rosie asks for advice in cleaning the little fuzzies and stuff that accumulates on the window screens of her RV. We answer, noting that clean screens produce more efficient air flow through your windows and will make you breathe better. Normally, to meticulously clean your RV screens, you remove them and wash them off with soap and water. But if they are just dusty, a microfiber towel which you can buy at WalMart or in auto stores can do the trick even without water. You will be surprised how it can do wonders to your screen. A small battery operated vacuum like the Dirt Devil also helps. [spp-timestamp time=”9:04″]
- Pam wants to remodel her older RV. One such place is focalwood.com in Indiana. They specialize in RV makeovers and amish-crafted RV furniture like tables, desk units, headboards, window treatments and much more. Another is RVMakeovers in Wheat Ridge, CO. They do all sorts of projects on RV kitchens, baths, flooring and more on Sprinters, campervans and lots of Class A, B and C motorhomes. [spp-timestamp time=”12:08″]
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
We’ve heard of jobs for volunteer campground hosts at RV parks. But here’s one for you dog owners. You and your pet can become “Bark Rangers.” [spp-timestamp time=”17:58″]
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan is hosting an orientation meeting for anyone interested in volunteering to serve as a “Bark Ranger.”
Bark Ranger volunteers and their canine companions serve as ambassadors on national lakeshore beaches to provide visitors information about the park, highlight pet policies, and pet safety. Bark Rangers will also help to protect the lakeshore’s nesting shorebirds.
You do not have to own a dog to become a Bark Ranger. Bark Rangers will receive training and Bark Ranger gear for their dog, if they choose to volunteer with their dog.
“We started this program last year and it was very successful,” said lakeshore wildlife biologist Sue Jennings.
She said the park received numerous positive comments from visitors about the Bark Ranger program throughout the summer.
Ms. Jennings noted dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are on a leash and stay on beaches that are open to dogs. Biologists are concerned about the potential impact unleashed dogs may be having on nesting shorebirds.
“We are seeing an increase in nest disturbances from dogs whose owners are not fully aware of the negative impact dogs can have on nesting plovers,” she said. “The Bark Ranger volunteer program is a fun way to inform dog owners of our policies, help bridge the information gap, and protect the birds.”
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
Campskunk is about to embark on a six month RV tour of Europe. And he’ll be doing it in his own RV, which, as we talk, is now on a boat in the mid Atlantic waiting for him and wife, Sharon to fly to Belgium and pick it up at the dock. [spp-timestamp time=”22:07″]
In this episode of the RV Podcast, Campskunk shares what you need to do to take your RV to Europe. And he tells us the places he’ll go, where he’ll boondiock and how much it will cost.
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:
Three stories this week… [spp-timestamp time=”44:04″]
- Spreading near Florida’s Big Cyrus Park force camper evacuations Read More
- Caution: Bears emerging from their dens Read more
- Free Admission at National Parks the next two weekends 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
Like you and your listeners, many people who travel for business also love to travel in their personal life. In fact, a recent survey by Luth Research reports growing interest in “bleisure” travel – where people tack on a few extra days to their business travel to relax and enjoy the areas they visit. And extending bleisure time relies heavily on mobile devices, especially when booking additional hotel stays or finding the best local events and attractions. [spp-timestamp time=”49:58″]
So if this sounds like you or someone you know…listen up…here are some tips to make your bleisure travel more enjoyable:
- Since most bleisure travelers check on hotels, restaurants and local attractions on their mobile devices, life is easier with a device that has a larger screen…I’m talking the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus here, the iPhone 7 plus or the Pixel XL.
- If you need to keep track of miles for work, let Google help. In Google maps, you can see your personal travel timeline showing you where and when you traveled on a map – complete with miles! It’ll make life way easier when you get back. Just click on the menu in Google Maps….and then choose personal timeline.
- For light packing and back-up battery, make sure you’re packing the Mophie powerstation plus 12000 which comes with a switch tip cable built in for both Apple and Android devices for charging on the go. No extra cables to carry means more space in your suitcase!
- Before leaving for travel, make sure to enroll in Verizon’s Total Mobile Protection – where you can protect your devices against loss, theft and damage. Receive a replacement device as soon as the next day. Same-day repair may be available for cracked screens – just in case the unfortunate happens as you’re on the road.
- Finally…a travel app I can’t live without…TripIt! It automatically scans your email looking for hotel, rental car and flight info. When it sees it, it adds it to your personal travel timeline. Now you’ll always have access to the info you need – including confirmation numbers – in one easy to use location.
And when all these boxes are checked, the only thing you need to focus on is relaxing and having fun!
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.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH REPORT – The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL
Sometimes, the most amazing museums and attractions are in places you’d never expect. Such it is with the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL, ranked one of the top 25 museums in the world, and in the top 12 in the U.S. [spp-timestamp time=”54:28″]
We came to spend half a day there but learned the hard way when a “Now Hear This” announcement told visitors it was closing at 5 PM that a whole day should be devoted to seeing this fascinating attraction.
More than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation are on display inside the Museum’s nearly 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds. There are even fighter World War II airplanes from Japan and the very first jet fighter ever flown – an amazing machine built by the Nazis and captured by the U.S. so as to be reverse engineered.
We’ve visited the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. several times in the past and found the Naval museum in Pensacola to be every bit as fascinating.
The National Naval Aviation Museum’s exhibits provide a close look at the people and events that shaped our history. From vintage uniforms and historic documents displayed in brilliant mahogany display cases, to dioramas that transport visitors to the World War I Western Front, Main Street U.S.A. in 1943, and the depths of Lake Michigan, the exhibits seek to capture the human element of the enduring history of Naval air power.
To really appreciate it, we suggest you tag along with one of the regular – and free – guided tours staffed by volunteers who are experts in Naval Aviation history. Jennifer and I started out on our own, going from airplane to airplane, display to display, reading the signage and picking up as much as we could by looking. But when we found a tour group and joined it, we were captivated by the history and significance of the displays.
The museum is in two levels. A separate building called Hangar Bay One, has more displays.
In the main museum are flight simulators, an interactive display that puts you on an aircraft carrier’s flight deck and a huge IMAX movie theater.
The museum is located on the sprawling grounds of Naval Air Station Pensacola, which serves as the launching point for the flight training of every Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer (NFO), and enlisted aircrewman. In addition, approximately 23,000 aviation personnel in aeronautical technical phases of naval operations are trained here.
Because this is a secure and very active military installation, you’ll need photo ID to get on the grounds and also again in the museum. But there is no charge to tour the museum.
There is ample and free parking right next to the museum, with a dedicated area for larger RVs.
If you go, try and arrange your visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday. That’s because the world-famous Blue Angels are based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, and can be seen practicing over the Museum most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from March to November. Practices typically begin at 11:30 a.m.(Central Time), and last about 55 minutes. Admission to practice is free and open to the public.
The outside viewing area for the Blue Angels practice is located on the Museum Flight Line north of the Museum. Signs are posted to direct visitors to viewing and parking locations, including limited parking for handicapped visitors. Open bleacher seating is available for seating 1,000 people. Chair service is provided at each practice session, a limited quantity of chairs are available for a fee of $3 per chair good for that day’s practice session. Concessions (bottled water, sport drinks, light food and treats) and merchandise are also available.
Chair service, concessions and merchandise are provided by the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and proceeds support the Museum and Foundation programs.
Be sure and use sun protection. And hearing protection is recommended for those people with sensitive hearing. Those awesome jets are LOUD!
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 motorhomes and excellent pricing and service.
RV CALENDAR
The Super B RV Show [spp-timestamp time=”1:00:32″]
April 27-30
University of Phoenix Stadium
9am-7-pm
La Mesa, AZ
(Jennifer and I will be there. Come meet us!)
For a complete list of RV shows this weekend and for the rest of the year, click here.
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