Traveling by RV presents an incredible opportunity to explore the country, experience its unique beauty, and enjoy the charm of each state. The year 2023 promises to be a year full of adventure, exploration, and unforgettable memories. Here are five must-visit locations in the United States that are perfect for RVers.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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What began as a three-week quarantine has extended into every aspect of our lives from how we work, shop, and recreate for nearly a year. Safety precautions have changed the outlook on almost every form of our daily lives. What does this mean for the prospect of camping? The good news is: the prospect for camping is a positive one! Let’s take a look at the top three questions people ask about camping as well as the top three COVID-19 camping tips.
In general, the answer is yes, camping is safe. In fact, according to the CDC, one of the best ways to stay healthy both mentally and physically is through outdoor activities. Engaging in hiking and biking is actually recommended as they don’t involve close contact with others. These and other forms of outdoor exercise provide your body with fresh air, stress relief, and a dose of vitamin D from the sunshine.
This means that camping is considered a safe activity as long as you follow common COVID-19 safety protocols such as social distancing, wearing a mask when you are near others, frequently washing your hands, and camping only with those in your household.
While most parks that can be safely staffed are open – including RV sites – some are at reduced capacity. Which parks are open for camping will depend on the individual park. Fortunately, because outdoor activities promote mental and physical well being, private and public parks have been part of the “deemed essential” group, so they’ve been open in some capacity for the majority of the COVID outbreak. There is a lot of public land that offers many opportunities for camping.
Federal parks have recently updated their protocols. According to numerous recent national park press releases across the country, masks are required for employees, visitors, partners, and contractors to, “protect the health of those who live, work, and visit national parks and National Park Service (NPS) facilities, and in support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing.”
While most national and state parks are open, it is highly recommended to look for news on websites or call destinations before planning a trip. There may be closures or restrictions that could impact your camping experience.
Some parks have temporarily closed. Check for state park closures prior to your trip. The Department of Natural Resources has a listing of state park closures for Michigan, Ohio, and other states as well.
Some locations may have restricted capacity, or be operating on a “first come, first serve” type situation. Some parking lots may also be closed or have limited capacity due to restrictions – especially those with historically high traffic volumes – in an effort to comply with social distancing regulations.
The common COVID-19 camping safety protocols recommend limiting your party to only those in your household. Here is where RV camping shines and is one of the reasons RV camping is growing in popularity – so much so that there are even RV shortages! Your RV is like your own hotel room or vacation home on wheels. Everything in it is yours and you are the only one(s) who use it, so the chance of exposure to COVID-19 in your RV is like the chance of exposure in your own home.
It is wise to bring a sanitation or sterilization kit with you when COVID-19 camping. As with any traveling, packing a kit that contains soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and the like. This will keep you prepared for any situation where you may encounter high-touch surfaces that may contain the virus. You can wipe these surfaces down prior to use, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after touching questionable surfaces, or use hand sanitizer.
When you leave your RV whether going for a solo hike or participating in a family recreational activity, bring your mask. You may encounter others out on the trail and not be able to maintain proper social distancing. Even if you plan a disbursed camping or boondocking trip with the intention of encountering only those people in your own household, it is possible that you may have to speak or interact with staff or other campers, so it’s a good idea to always have your mask with you just to be safe.
When camping with children you are likely to encounter parks that offer public entertainment areas like playgrounds. While there’s nothing like a swing set or a slide to entertain the children, even if the playground is empty, there’s a potential for viruses/bacteria to be left on equipment your children may touch. While it has always been a good idea to have your children wash their hands, COVID-19 camping means it’s best to try to wipe down public equipment before you use it, make sure everyone washes their hands afterwards. You may even opt to avoid the playgrounds altogether and play some family games.
Sure, there are many more precautions with COVID-19 camping, but overall RVs are a safer alternative to hotels and offer a great way to get out in the fresh air and keep yourself and those in your household healthy.
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
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