Tag: camping

Camping on a Budget: Free RV Camping in the US

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch. However, there is such a thing as free RV camping. In fact, President Roosevelt called for the creation of free campgrounds on Federal lands when he addressed Congress in 1901. (Although at that time he wasn’t referring to RVs!)

Now commonly referred to as boondocking, camping free of charge is real, but it isn’t for everyone. Boondocking isn’t officially defined but the term stems from the expression “boondocks” that refers to a remote area. Overnight RV parking places such as truck stops, Wal-Mart parking lots, or campgrounds in which RV hookups aren’t available may not necessarily seem remote, but are all generally lumped into the boondocking category.

Read More “Camping on a Budget: Free RV Camping in the US”

How to Make the Best RV Meal Plan for Your Next Trip

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

One of the best things about camping is the food! There’s nothing like a golden brown marshmallow that’s been roasted over the campfire for s’mores. The best thing about creating your RV meal plan is tailoring it to your own preferences! Love to cook but always short on time at home? Camping may be your excuse to plan special meals since you’re away from the 9-5 world and you’ll have more down time to cook. Maybe your camping vacation is packed with adventure so cooking needs to be as simplistic as possible. Or you could be somewhere in between. Whatever your cooking style, RV meal planning starts with the menu.

Start Simple

Not all RV kitchens are alike. Some RV kitchens are tiny, others much larger, and some even have an island providing a great deal of counter space. But even with a larger RV kitchen, you still don’t want to go overboard on the food.

You may have all the space and tools you need to prepare extravagant meals, but it’s possible you’d rather spend your day relaxing or exploring rather than cooking. Your RV meal plan can reflect your activity level and food-prep time available. You can plan simple meals that are filling and let everyone get back to having fun!

Use Ingredients for Multiple Meals

No matter the type or size of your RV’s kitchen, one thing is certain: storage space is always at a premium! One way to maximize storage in the kitchen is to use ingredients across several meals. This can be anything from a base food like a meat or vegetable to your favorite spices.

A loaf of bread can be used for toast in the morning, sandwiches for lunch, and garlic toast for a spaghetti supper. Ground beef or ground turkey can be a versatile base food. Use some in the spaghetti sauce to go with that garlic toast and the rest for burgers the next night. There are plenty of websites that are great resources for camping recipes. Or, you can do a search for simple meal plans and find some ideas that fit your cooking style and your taste buds.

The Right Tools for the Right RV Meal Plan

When you’re building a birdhouse, it’s easier if you have a hammer and some nails. Likewise, when you have the right cooking equipment, it’s easier to build your RV meal plan. Two of the most popular must-haves for any RV kitchen are cast iron pans and a slow cooker. These two staple items can give you the convenience and flexibility to cook almost anything when you’re on the road – or even when you’re way, way off the road camping remotely.

Another favorite and extremely versatile kitchen cooking tool is the Dutch oven. Everything from soups and stews to popcorn and desserts can be prepared in this gem. If you want to cook something fun with the kids (or simply feel like a kid again) try cooking with pie irons. From sandwiches to pizza to fruit pies, this campfire kitchen tool takes the fun of roasting hot dogs or marshmallows and combines it with the versatility of a Dutch oven.

Convenient Food vs Feeling at Home

Your RV meal plan works best when you create it with your activity level and overall expectations of your time on the road. If you are the type who wants their RV to feel just like an extension of home, planning large, sit-down meals that everyone can enjoy together will be at the top of your list.

Others may be on the opposite end of the spectrum and plan simple meals and some grab-and-go foods for busy days full of activities. Whether you’re the type who’s on the go looking for the next adventure or the type who’s relaxing with your feet up reading the latest novel, you can make your RV meal plan work for you. You can even mix it up and plan one or two big meals with easy, quick meals sprinkled in for “flavor” and variety.

Don’t Forget Snacks

Exploring, hiking, fishing or even just getting some time to relax makes snacks a must-have. Fruit is a great fast-food snack, but don’t forget to add plenty of non-perishable foods when working up your RV meal plan. Things like protein bars store easily and travel well; they may even serve as a meal-replacement if you’re on a long hike or away from your RV for an extended period. No matter what your plans are, it’s always a good idea to have a healthy supply of snacks on hand.

Restocking on the Road

Sometimes you may be just a weekend camper. Other times you may take longer trips. It’s fairly easy to figure out your RV meal plan for just a weekend, but there’s no need to feel overwhelmed when you do take extended trips. Planning your meals in advance is still a good idea, but unless you’ll be far away from conveniences, you don’t need to pack it all at once.

It is very common to take a mid-week shopping trip when you’re vacationing for a week or longer. When you plan a shopping trip right into your week, you’ll have less to pack initially. This will save you refrigerator and cupboard space as well as avoiding the frustration of food spoiling before you have a chance to prepare it.

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

Connect with us on Social Media! 

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

Cool Photo Ops in the Midwest for Your Next RV Trip

By: RV Wholesale Superstore
Last Updated: March 24, 2023

Nothing says fall like the changing colors of the leaves, and the Midwest is one of the best places around to see the incredible colors of fall. Not only beautiful to behold, they make amazing backdrops for family photos. There are more cool photo ops in the Midwest than you may have been aware of. While this certainly isn’t a comprehensive list, we’ve picked some top sights that you won’t be able to resist capturing. Plan your fall color tour and include a few of these stops of some of our favorite cool photo ops.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio

You don’t need to travel far to find cool photo ops. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park here in Ohio is almost like finding cool photo ops in your own backyard – which makes it a great trip even during the current pandemic!

There is always plenty to do at any National Park and Cuyahoga Valley is no exception. Activities from fishing to hiking to even golfing can be enjoyed at Cuyahoga Valley and you’ll find plenty of cool photo ops along the way. Whether you are looking for enough activities for a day, a weekend, or a full weeklong getaway, bring the family and enjoy all Cuyahoga Valley has to offer. Reopening September 30th, there’s even a scenic train ride that offers a wealth of cool photo ops. You and your family will be able to reminisce for decades as you enjoy looking at your photos time and again.

Just one of (hundreds of National Parks in the US), all the information you’ll need to plan your trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park can be found on the NPS website.

Sleeping Bear Dunes – Michigan

Travelers from all over the country are drawn to the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Leelanau County, Michigan. This breathtaking shoreline park also offers cool photo ops at every step through its 71,187 acres of hills, valleys, dunes and small lakes. With views like no others, this park has been named the “Most Beautiful Place in America,” so you’ll want to be sure to get your reservations in early. The Sleeping Bear Dunes RV-friendly campsites are limited and, as you can imagine, wildly popular!

Whether you are capturing photos of the sweeping lake views at the top of Dune Climb or looking out over a blanket of treetops along the vast shoreline of Lake Michigan from the top of a bluff on Pyramid Point Trail, you are sure to capture breathtaking pictures of the fall colors in northern Michigan.

City of Madison – Indiana

Not to worry, even though our beautiful state and national parks are popular, some cool photo ops will be found elsewhere! The city of Madison, Indiana, was named after President James Madison, and is located in the southeast corner of Indiana, along the Ohio River. This lovely city has everything from educational opportunities to recreational activities like festivals and more.

This bustling little Midwest city has 133 city blocks of historic district – one of the largest landmark districts in the country! You can tour the Lanier Mansion or simply admire the many 19th and early 20th century buildings and homes. You are sure to find plenty of cool photo ops here whether your idea of the perfect photo is along the river or next to an historic landmark! While you’re in Indiana, you may even want to stop and tour an RV factory!

360 Chicago Observation Deck – Illinois

While 875 North Michigan Avenue is far from a being a state or national park, the widely famous observatory of the former John Hancock Center is one destination not to miss if your RV trip brings you through Illinois. Amazingly cool photo ops of the captivating views of Lake Michigan and the city of Chicago can be seen from over 1,000 feet in the air here. You may even catch a glimpse of a small aircraft passing by – at eye level. (What a way to channel your inner King Kong!)

There may not be captivating views from the elevators, but at speeds of over 20 miles per hour, they are the fastest elevators in the Western Hemisphere. It may not be Cedar Point, but at those speeds the elevators do rival some amusement park rides! There is also a full bar where you can enjoy the local flavors, or simply relax after the speedy elevator ride.

It’s even a great place to start a cross-country tour on the famous Route 66! Travel from Chicago to Los Angeles for an extended trip that will be chock full of cool photo ops and a gateway to studying this important historic piece of America.

Fall Foliage – Across the Midwest

As summer winds to an end, Fall Foliage season is right around the corner. When the leaves begin to fall, unforgettable photo ops appear all around. From parks to roadsides, everywhere you look throughout the Midwest becomes a perfect photo backdrop of warm, bright colors. The best time to plan your fall foliage tour here in the Midwest is around October. There are some great individual places around Ohio, so check out our guide to planning your Ohio fall foliage tour!

You may have so much fun that you’ll want to plan a spring tour and revisit a few of these stops to take seasonal comparison photos with the budding trees and spring flowers as the backdrop in your favorite cool photo ops!

Contact RV Wholesale Superstore 

The professionals at RV Wholesale Superstore are ready to help you find the perfect RV for you and your family. Visit us in-person at 5080 W. Alexis Road, in Sylvania, OH or call us at (419) 786-1126

Connect with us on Social Media! 

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest