[just joined]

You are one who I only wish could aspire to. It scares me to think about doing any remodel let alone in the coach! Good for you. Hoping all goes well and you are on the road in no time! Safe travels!

[Potholes: Worst Year Rver]

Thank you for the "heads up" on the road conditions and what to watch for. I am guessing given this years cold many states could be experiencing the same. My wife recently came north on I-95 from south Florida and did not mention road issues on this interstate. I assume they were good or she would have mentioned it.

I will definitely take this into account if we head north with the coach!

I agree with you on de-winterizing soon. With the temperature reaching 63 degrees today I am itching to uncover the new coach and hit the road!

Safe travels.

[Walmart Overnight Camping]

I downloaded on my cell an android app called "All Stays ONP" that tells you by location which Walmarts will allow over night parking and which ones do not. Advice is to always check with the manager before staying even if it is on the list of allows ONP. Have not used it yet. Coach is still covered and surrounded by snow.

[Stolen Roadtrek Recovered: The Victim’s Story]

Glad it was found! Hope they catch the people responsible.

[We picked the wrong Winter to live in our RV!]

Wow! Better you than me. Our coach remains covered in the drive waiting for Spring. Hope it gets here sooner than later. Cannot wait to hit the road!

[Gadget preview: My new Go Pro Hero 3 Black Edition camera]

Although I have never owned a GoPro I have a co-worker who uses it when filming motorcycle events as he rides during events for the law enforcement agency where we work. The quality of video cannot be beat and the ability to "stick it" on just about any smooth surface is amazing. I was told they have a 100 mile per hour guarantee on the mount. If so that is something in itself. I was also told the video length for recording on the GoPro is more than sufficient for any event. It is definitely an item that I have to put on my "get list" as my wife and I are nearing retirement. Thank you for sharing!

[Our top five RV frustrations]

WHewwww. Nothing like venting about the downside of camping! Your article lists what definitely can ruin your stay while in any campground. Unfortunately, you are absolutely on the mark and factual. These things will drive you crazy, if you let them. Keep in mind that we are all from different walks of life and I don't think I have ever stayed in a campground during the last 40 years where I did not observe at least one of these violations. It is unfortunate that we as campers cannot work together and resolve these problems. I agree with your top five but I don't let it ruin my stay if possible. At times it can be very hard. Fortunately, we now have the internet and can look to other campers to provide accurate and current information regarding these issues. Personally I look to the forums I frequent most for information. Any IT campers who would like to try and build a site to offer this information out there? It would not be easy to validate the reviews as we all know about opinions. They are all different and vary greatly. Good luck to all while dealing with these very frustrating occurrences. Hoping we all experience far more good than bad as we make our own trails across the country.

[RV Vacations Ruined as National Parks Shut Down]

During times like this I try to look for the positive. First, I am certainly better off than those less fortunate than me. I have a good job that pays enough to enjoy the pleasures of RVing. Normally I find that I stay within certain named campgrounds that I know provide the benefits I am used to having. This may be a good time to help out the private campgrounds by experiencing what they have to offer.

When traveling as a family in 1973 with my mom and dad we would pull up to campgrounds in the dark, set up, and go to sleep. I thought to myself, "How did my dad find this campground?" Some were campgrounds where the owner would have to come out of the house to greet us as my dad would drive to follow so he could point out the site. Often when the sun came up, we found ourselves in a quiet location with a lovely view of the countryside. I remember once we found ourselves next to a stream with rock cliffs all around us. As my brother and I walked down to the stream which was almost covered on the sides by mountain laurel we saw hummingbirds that were flying over the water back and forth. It was beautiful. Because we were working our way across the country with our pop-up tent camper we only stayed the one night. To this day I do not remember the state or the name of the campground (I was 13 years old at the time) but I am glad we stayed there and will not forget that campground.

During times like these it can provide us the opportunity to explore our options. We should also remember that private campgrounds are owned by sometimes a single family who also need business to stay open. They may not be able to offer the "bells and whistles" that larger campgrounds have, they may have only one washer in the laundry room and a broken dryer, but what may offer is the opportunity to meet the locals. If we listen, they can tell you how to get around the area while avoiding the crowds, and maybe even the "sweet honey hole for you to throw a line". If you talk to them long enough, they may even tell you about the trail that offers a view of the mountains and sites that you would normally only see from inside the National Park.