A seven-day Caribbean cruise geared toward RV enthusiasts is scheduled to depart from Miami on November 6.RV@Sea will be aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, the "Epic of the Seas." It will include three days of RV seminars, according to RVBusiness."There are other group cruises sponsored by RV-related companies, but none with seminars," said cruise co-host and RV author Ron Jones. "Our RV seminars will be held during the three days at sea so there is ...

Interest in a first-of-its-kind virtual convention for the outdoor hospitality industry has been positive so far, according to Campground Expo, which is producing the show.RVBusiness reports that show producers of the Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo say that at least 100 supporting businesses in the hospitality industry have verbally committed to either attending or sponsoring the event, which is slated for November 1 through November 3. Exhibitors who book their booths before March 31 will ...

Many RV owners who want to sell their vehicles decide to go through a dealer and use what is called RV consignment.Some owners who decide to sell on consignment choose to do so instead of selling their RV themselves since the marketing, negotiations and paperwork are all handled by professionals.Individuals that choose to consign their RVs should know that they will not receive any money until their vehicle is sold. How much the original owner will receive depends on the consignment agreement ...

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources has urged the public to "have a say in how you'll play" by inviting them to attend public meetings to help them develop the strategic plan for the state parks.The state has scheduled five public meetings in different locations during the month of March to outline the agency's top priorities and objectives for the next five years.In developing the strategic plan, Colorado state parks will also use the public comments to clarify constituent ...

Two Indiana lawmakers have introduced legislation to extend for an additional two years the federal tax credit on the purchase of new motorhomes.The new legislation introduced by Senator Evan Bayh and Congressman Joe Donnelly would make amounts paid on state sales and excise taxes deductible and could be claimed on up to $49,500 of the price of a new purchase. The tax relief could be claimed by both itemizers and non-itemizers, and they could save up to $1,100. It would also be expanded to ...

College students majoring in business, finance, economics, accounting, or other RV related subjects are encouraged to apply to receive a $2,500 scholarship through the RV Learning Center.The scholarship program is for RV company employees and their dependents. A factor in awarding the scholarship may be an applicant's background of RV industry employment or a desire to work in the RV business after graduation."The purpose of the RV Learning Center scholarship is to help ...

Not only does the month of March signal the beginning of spring, it also brings with it the spring wildflower bloom at many desert locations.According to RV expert and RVBoondockingNews.com blogger Bob Difley, this year's bloom is expected to be above average due to the amount of soaking winter rains received.Difley reports that some wildflowers are already in bloom at the warmest locations, like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and along some roadsides where the winter rain runoff has ...

MotorHome magazine has announced it will hold a special pre-Rally program aimed at RV enthusiasts who want to get an in-depth look at the RV lifestyle and industry prior to attending the Rally, which is the largest organized gathering of RVers in America.The special, four-day event is being hosted by MotorHome's publisher Bob Livingston and his wife, Lynne.Attendees will meet on Friday, July 16 in Elkhart, Indiana. Activities will include a guided tour of the Newmar RV factory, ...

More campers and RVers may be heading to New Hampshire this season, if the state decides to repeal the campsite tax it instituted last year.The state imposed a meals and room tax of 9 percent on all RV and tent sites beginning last July. The move was made as a way to help pay for spending in the state.Supporters of the tax argue that it won't cost individuals interested in basic tent sites very much, while helping to close the state's budget deficit.Opponents, including many campground owners, ...

Individuals interested in camping at several different state parks in Florida this spring may want to take advantage of a new promotion the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida State Parks has announced.According to WCTV News, from now until May 26, visitors can purchase discounted camping packages at three state parks for Tuesday and Wednesday night stays that include admission to select nearby state parks. Packages range from $40 to $270, with savings of $30 to ...

Kampgrounds of America's (KOA) sponsorship of the 2010 USA Bobsled team may have brought the athletes some good luck.The four-man bobsled team dubbed "Night Train" took home a gold medal at the Olympic games in Vancouver. It was the first gold medal for a U.S. bobsled team in 62 years.The team, which consists of bobsledders Steve Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz, is also the current World Champion and World Cup Champion team."KOA is a great company ...

The owner of RVBookstore.com says trends in book sales tend to reflect what's happening in the industry as a whole."About two to three years ago, our sales of books and DVDs aimed at novice RVers and RV buyers nosedived," Chuck Woodbury told RV News Service. "It was like night and day. At about the same time, consumers quit buying RVs. It was very clear to us that the industry was in big trouble. In the months that followed, one RV manufacturer after another filed bankruptcy."Woodbury ...

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that January RV shipments more than doubled from the previous year, to 15,800 units.The South Bend Tribune newspaper reports that the increase marked the sixth consecutive monthly improvement over the previous year - another sign the industry has begun its recovery following the economic downturn that has crippled it for the past few years."It's very encouraging to see the shipment numbers increase so steadily," ...

Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Hopewell Furnace national historic site showcases an early American industrial landscape.Operating from 1771-1883, Hopewell and other "iron plantations" laid the foundation for the transformation of the United States into an industrial giant. The park's 848 acres and historic structures illustrate the business, technology and lifestyle of our growing nation.Hopewell is best known for the cast iron Hopewell Stove, which was a huge financial ...

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is bringing attention to the industry's 100 year anniversary celebration by launching "100 Days of RV History and Lifestyle" tweets on Go RVing's Twitter account.Each day for the 100 days leading up to the industry's centennial celebration at the RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame and Museum, RVIA will post a tweet about the RV lifestyle or the RV industry's history on the popular social networking site Twitter.The daily messages are ...

Driving an RV or motorhome either up or down a mountain road can be stressful and even dangerous. Drivers need to keep in mind that RVs are much heavier than regular cars and will take longer to both climb a hill and to slow down on one. There are a few things RV drivers should keep in mind when navigating steep roadways.First of all, drivers should be prepared for travelling their chosen route. Do some research ahead of time by talking to other RVers or truckers who have driven the route to ...

The popularity of the RV lifestyle is growing north of the border.Go RVing Canada reports that there was a significant increase in RV sales during the last quarter of 2009 in Ontario, with RV sales jumping 46 percent over the previous year. And industry experts say the trend is expected to continue as the RV and travel show season progresses and summer approaches."We are seeing increased activity and sales in our showrooms as the economy recovers," said Go RVing Canada spokesperson ...

Situated within rugged terrain in the northeastern part of Arizona's Sonoran Desert, Tonto National Monument showcases the well-preserved cliff dwellings that were occupied during the 13th, 14th and early 15th centuries by a once-vibrant Native American culture.Visitors can explore the pre-historic cave dwellings during their visit through a self-guided tour of the lower cliffs or a ranger-guided tour of the upper cliff dwellings.The monument is also home to some of the most magnificent ...

Visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park this spring may want to check ahead to ensure their trip won't be effected by work that will cause officials to close roads and delay facility openings.The park will be undertaking a number of projects to improve its roads and facilities, including campground and picnic restrooms, trailheads as well as a popular campground. Other projects include making comfort stations accessible, cemetery maintenance, and building painting and roof repair.The ...

Combine glamour and camping and you get "glamping." It's a trend that's sweeping the U.S. and beyond, and for many people it just means camping without the "roughing it" some associate with the great outdoors.Many RVers have been "glamping" for years in their high-end, well-appointed vehicles. For others who aren't avid campers or outdoorsmen, however, "glamping" may be a good way for them to connect with and enjoy nature in style.Resorts and campsites ...

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has voted to repeal a controversial tax that many in the camping industry said would drive away business and potentially put them out of business.Beginning last July, the state imposed a meals and room tax of 9 percent on all RV and tent sites. The tax was intended to help close the state's budget deficit.According to the Nashua Telegraph, the tax was repealed in a 202-125 vote."Are these people entitled to a vacation in tax-free New Hampshire? ...

There are signs of spring's arrival at Glacier National Park in Montana. The National Park Service reports that bear tracks and a freshly dug hole in the snow indicate some grizzly bears are awake and venturing out looking for food in and around the park.During the first week of March, there were three separate sightings of bear tracks throughout the park.Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright says that the tracks are a sign for the public to be alert for bear activity and to be familiar ...

The National Park Service reports that volunteers from around the country will team up with the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) to help clean and restore America's historic Civil War battlefields, cemeteries and shrines on "Park Day," which will be held on Saturday, April 10.The preservation event will include nearly 80 historic sites in 24 states.Participants will gather at the sites to help with activities that range from trash pick-up to trail building. In exchange for ...

Go RVing is targeting fans of the History Channel as well as its magazine and website."A partnership with History is especially exciting during the RV industry's Centennial year," said RVIA Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Gary LaBella. "For 100 years, RVs have allowed Americans to experience - first-hand - the great history and beauty of our country."Go RVing's new "Ambassadors of Affordability" TV spots have been running during History's popular ...

Fans started arriving a week in advance for the Ford 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee."You have to get here a week ahead of time to get caught up with all your friends," Doug Pittman of North Carolina told the Times News. "We have friends we see at Bristol every spring and summer. Some, this is the only time we'll see them. They are family to us."Pittman is one of many who have been watching races at this track for years."Recently, the people have ...

The South Carolina State Park Service may have the perfect gift for RVing and camping enthusiasts who wish to travel to the southeast sometime soon. Giftcards are now being sold to be put towards the rental of cabins, campsites, picnic shelters and meeting facilities at state parks across South Carolina.The stored-value cards – similar in size to a credit card – can be bought in any denomination and can be re-loaded. The first two carry images of a marsh-lined creek at Hunting Island ...

Open from 1892 until 1954, Ellis Island in the waters between New York City and New Jersey was the nation's premier federal immigration station.Visitors to the monument can walk in the footsteps of the over 12 million immigrants who landed there through ranger-led and audio tours. Many also use a visit to Ellis Island to trace their ancestry at the American Family Immigration History Center.Although entrance to the museum is free, visitors will have to purchase a ferry ticket for their ...

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a few new recalls that may be of interest to owners of Keystone and Winnebago products.Keystone RV is recalling 242 model year 2010 Fuzion travel trailers and fifth wheels with the Touring Edition II package. The rear ramp door cable support bracket bolts may fail when the door is used in the patio position. A falling door can lead to increased risk of personal injury if a person is on the door in the patio position.Dealers ...

NASCAR fans at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) can get their race weekend off to a great start by attending Food City Race Night on Friday, March 19 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m."We're excited to once again be hosting Food City Race Night at Bristol Motor Speedway," Food City president and CEO Steven C. Smith told TriCities.com. "The event made its debut at BMS last year, with a record attendance and huge fan response. This year, we have a full slate of driver interactive sessions and ...

President Obama has designated April 17 through April 25 as National Park Week.National Park Week is an annual presidentially-proclaimed week for celebration and recognition of our National Parks.Entrance fees during the week are waived and many parks will feature special events and activities.The National Parks Promotion Council is offering to assist organizations, states, gateway communities and businesses in gaining attention for the special offers they plan during the week. Examples ...

Statistical Surveys has recognized Camping World as the number one seller of towable RVs in 2009.This is the fifth consecutive year Camping World, which is the nation's largest multi-location recreation vehicle retailer, has been recognized with this award. The company was also recently ranked number one for motorized RV sales."As with being number one in motorized sales, the fact that we are also number one in towable sales exhibits our desire to serve the entire RV community with ...

Recreational vehicle manufacturer Winnebago has introduced a new fuel-efficient ERA Class B motorhome for RVers with physical challenges.Among some of the features that make this motorhome especially beneficial for disabled individuals are wider aisles inside the vehicle, wheelchair lock-downs behind the front cab seats, bath doors that swing out for easy access and a custom kitchen.In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a Ricon KlearVue lift in the rear of the motorhome to provide easy ...

Now that spring is officially here, many families are planning trips and weekend getaways. Easter weekend is sure to be busy at campgrounds across the U.S., with many hosting family-friendly events and activities throughout the holiday weekend.In California, many campgrounds, including Campland on the Bay in San Diego, Marina Dunes RV Park in Marina, Shady Oasis Kampground in Victorville and Smithwoods RV Park in Felton, will have Easter egg hunts.One of the state's largest Easter egg hunt ...

Fresh off a win at Bristol, driver Jimmie Johnson heads to the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia for next weekend's Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 - a race he won last year as well.Fans of the sport may already know that Martinsville is the only original NASCAR-sanctioned track still running Cup Series events. The track is oval and its configuration has not changed since its inaugural race in 1948.Known as the "pretty paperclip," Martinsville is known for its tailgating and great hot ...

It's a problem many RVers don't even think about until they're faced with it - their GPS system has directed them to a route with a low bridge clearance or some other seemingly unavoidable road obstacle that simply won't accommodate their large vehicle.Full time RVers Russ and Tina DeMaris write on NewRVer.com that low bridges and weight restricted roadways are a par for the course when it comes to the RV lifestyle. Now RVers and truckers alike are beginning to realize that typical GPS ...

Women who enjoy outdoor recreation may be interested in taking part in a Women's Wellness Weekend (WWW) at one of Virginia's state parks.The Virginia state park system designed the weekends for women looking to reduce stress, learn about nature and enjoy the great outdoors.The WWWs are offered at various parks throughout the state. The programs offered at each vary by location but include things like workshops about nature, activities like hiking, canoeing, geocaching and wine tasting ...

There's good news for senior citizens who use U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. The Forest Service has announced that the 50 percent off discount to holders of the government issued $10 lifetime Senior Pass.The Forest Service had proposed lowering the discount from 50 percent to 10 percent for holders of Golden Age and Golden Access Passports and Senior and Access Passes.The plan was abandoned after more than 4,000 people submitted comments during a 60-day public comment period on the ...

The economic downturn has caused the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to seek out corporate sponsors to help keep parks across the state operating."What we're not seeking to do is rename any type of state parks after corporate donors," DNR Commissioner Chris Clark told the Gainesville Times newspaper. "We don't even have the authority to do that, and that's not our intent."The intent is to help the state parks stay open and keep fees reasonable. Clark says that since ...