Although the Willamette Valley is often regarded as Oregon’s wine capital, over the past several years, Southern Oregon has emerged as a world-class viticultural region, known for its unique ability to grow a wide variety of grapes due to its complex geology, soil and mesoclimates. This region, which is actually the birthplace of Oregon’s wine industry, saw its first grapes planted in the mid-1800s and today boasts over 88 vineyards and numerous tasting rooms across four river valleys. Compared to popular wine regions like Napa and Sonoma, here, wine enthusiasts will escape the crowds and find prices more accommodating. With stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains, wine aficionados can revel in world class-wine without an air of pretension at this underrated wine destination.

Oregon Wine Country: A Region That Has Aged Well

Beginning in the 1840s, early pioneers who made the trek West along the Oregon Trail planted roots in the newly established territory, and soon afterward, the region’s first grapes. One of these early settlers was Peter Britt, a Swiss photographer who left the east coast in search of gold in Southern Oregon and who’d later become Oregon’s first commercial wine producer. Britt began growing grapes in the mid-1800s and established Valley View Winery, Oregon’s first official winery, near present-day Jacksonville. By 1870, his 20-acre commercial vineyard and orchard had experimented with over 200 varieties of American and European grapes, producing between 1,000-3,000 gallons per year. With his extensive horticultural knowledge and innovative practices, he installed an underground irrigation system by 1855 and used techniques like smudging to prevent frost and raised bees to improve pollination. By the time Britt died in 1905, there were dozens of vineyards in Southern Oregon, many of which were shipping grapes across the country and down to California.

Oregon’s wine industry took a turn for the worst when Prohibition was enacted in the state 1915 — five years before Prohibition became nationwide. Wineries closed, vines were dug up and replaced with orchards, and the wine business was out of business for nearly half a century. During the 1960s, the wine industry began to recover when California winemakers headed North in search of cooler climates and launched the first post-Prohibition wineries in the state. In 2005, the Southern Oregon AVA (American Viticultural Area) was established, covering 2.2million acres stretching south of Eugene to the California border. This region encompasses the Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley and Illinois Valley and is separated by 4 major rivers and 3 different mountain ranges. Today, there are over 8,000 acres dedicated to grape production within the Southern Oregon AVA and the number is growing rapidly!

It’s the Climate and Geology!

As far as RV destinations go, we can hardly think of a place that offers more variety than a trip to the Great Lakes. Explore national parks, historic sites, lakeshores, remote islands, and even battlefields for an action-packed adventure you’ll never forget. The five massive freshwater lakes resemble the ocean based on their sheer size alone. Waves crash on sandy shores, and the sun dips beneath the endless waterline, much like a beach sunset. So, if you’re looking for something to take your breath away then look no further than Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior.

Visiting the Great Lakes in an RV is most enjoybale when you’ve got time to explore the 9,500 miles of the ocean-like shores. With so much to see, you’re bound to miss something if 24-hours is all you’ve got. Embrace the outdoor activities, hike to hidden waterfalls, climb historic lighthouses, and save room for freshly caught food.

The Great Lakes and their shores are spilling with history and culture. Discover this unique area and the ecology of this magnificent glacial lakes from the comfort of your RV.

Weather at the Great Lakes

Stretching across 8 states and into a portion of Ontario, Canada, the weather throughout the Great Lakes is surprisingly stable throughout the year. It’s true! For the most part, the winters are cold, summers are warm, and the shoulder seasons are delightful. During winter, the moisture from the lakes can lead to heavy snowfalls, typically referred to as “lake effect,” snow.

Part of what makes the lakes so interesting is how their size controls the weather around them. Acting as heat sinks, the water from the lakes has the unique ability to cool the air during summer and heat it up during winter for a pleasant experience year-round. If you’re looking for the ideal time to visit, aim for late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October) for the most pleasant temperatures.

Give your family adventures for years to come in an incredible travel trailer that delivers plenty of room for everyone in an easy-to-tow package. Check out the incredible features you can expect when you take home one of these 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailers for sale near you. We’ll take an in-depth look at the features and amenities packed into these incredible RVs in this 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailer review. 

Kitchen Features

Wherever you plan to explore, the kitchens in these Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailers will ensure you always have what you need to make delicious meals. You’ll love the seamless countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of storage space in the cabinets. Washing dishes after dinner is easy with the large acrylic sinks with a high-rise faucet.

Additional Features:

Seamless solid-surface look kitchen countertopsLarge 50/50 acrylic kitchen sinkBrushed nickel faucetsHeavy-duty, 75 lb., full-extension, steel ball-bearing drawer guides

People ask us all the time, “What’s the scariest thing that has happened to you while driving your RV?”

In our nearly 10 years of RVing, We’ve been nearly run off the road by other drivers, had a tire blowout, been hit by roadside debris, driven in blizzards, and had a high voltage power line come down across the road just ahead of us.

Scary moments, all.

Caught in an RV in High Winds

But one of the scariest was the time when I was caught in a sudden, violent windstorm. It served as a great example of how fast the weather can change. Whether you’re driving a motorhome or towing a travel trailer, high winds are an RVers enemy.

You Do Not Want to Be in an RV in High Winds!

This incident happened very early in our RV Lifestyle, way back in 2012, on I-75 in Ohio.

Spoil yourself with a relaxing camping trip on the California Coast. Ventura Beach RV Resort sits on 14 lush acres and offers RV and tent sites ranging from standard to ultra-deluxe sites. Visitors also can rent travel trailers, poolside yurts or a summer studio.

When guests aren’t exploring this beautiful slice of Golden State heaven, they can relax in the resort’s refreshing heated swimming pool and inviting hot tub. Other amenities include a recreational room with billiard tables, a flat-screen television and an ATM. You can also enjoy the playground and half basketball court.

Beach and Town

After settling in, take a short 8-minute walk to the beach, or enjoy a 15-minute bike ride to the Ventura Beach. Ventura has that classic beach town vibe that casts a spell on visitors. Spend your days riding waves at Surfers Point, fishing off of Ventura Pier and enjoying the view from the Ventura Botanical Gardens. The waterfront community also acts as the gateway to Channel Islands National Park Located an hour away from the mainland, these five remote islands are coined the “Galapagos of North America” because they support more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna, 150 of which can only be found here.

Explore More

If you’re ready to venture further, check out the Island Packers Cruises for a trip to the Channel Islands, whale watching and more. You can walk to the Ventura County Fairgrounds to enjoy various seasonal events like the fair, speedway, live concerts and markets. Of course, there is Main Street, where there are shops and restaurants, plus plenty of bars within walking distance.

Also, a few minutes from the Resort is “The Cross,” where you can hike up (easy hike) to the very top and you can see ALL of Ventura and the coastline all the way up to Santa Barbara!

Have you ever looked around and thought to yourself ‘My surroundings seem like a film set!’

The weather is perfect; not too hot and not too cold. The air smells like campfire and fallen leaves. The picnic table is set for family crafts and puzzles. The trees are tall and strong, gently raining down their colorful leaves as the breeze tickles their branches. The entire landscape in every direction is like a masterclass in color theory, with reds blending right into oranges and yellows.

It sounds like a fairytale, but it’s also very real–it’s autumn in North America and there’s nothing like it. Believe it or not, you can experience the best campgrounds for fairytale fall foliage without ever stepping foot onto a movie set! It’s your adventure, you’re the main character writing your story. You just have to hop in the RV to begin. We all deserve a starring role once in a while and nothing sets the stage like RVing in the fall.

Asheville, North Carolina

Beginning in late September, fall paints the mountainsides in the foothills of the Appalachians. In Asheville, the valleys and foothills are aglow from September through November. Witness for yourself the brightest, most saturated colors the season has to offer. If hiking is your thing, lace up your boots for a climb up Grandfather Mountain, or bring a jacket along as you scale Mount Mitchell (it can be a little chilly towards the top). These peaks offer insanely beautiful views of the trees and valleys showing off below.

Aerial Drone view of fall in the Blue ridge of the Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. Vibrant red, yellow, orange leaf foliage colors on the curve of mountain road side. Image: Shutterstock.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Asheville, NC:

Asheville Bear Creek RV Park & Campground

Driving across North America in your RV can be an enjoyable part of the overall camping experience. But while cruising through the scenic countryside, one must be mindful of the need to safeguard and secure your RV’s components. Avoid potential damage to RV equipment and — most critical — avert injuries to your passengers. Consult an RV checklist before departing.

Here are some things that may help you to avoid costly mistakes.

Securing Loose Items

Unlike automobile travel, recreational vehicles require the prior securing of items such as small appliances, dishware, foodstuffs and many other loose items. Failure to do this risks these pieces becoming missile-like in the event of a violent maneuver or hard braking action. Several products are available to prevent loose items from wandering.

Securing the Refrigerator Contents

Organize the contents of your fridge to prevent items from falling down. Make sure that the latch-type closure or manually applied lock on your fridge is secured. Having a well-stocked fridge door spring open while flying down the road can ruin your day, not to mention your rugs and coach interior.

When it comes to powering your RV, you need portable energy. After all, your RV can go almost anywhere, why limit yourself to the nearest power grid? This is where generators come in. Generators offer an alternative form of power from the standard RV pedestal hookup you’ll find at campgrounds. Generators are portable and powerful and open up amazing camping experiences in remote areas. With a generator on board, you can enjoy the solitude of camping deep in nature, while still enjoying the creature comforts of a powered home.

Solar panels are also an alternative form of power. But their leading downfall is their reliance on clear skies for continuous energy. A generator, however, performs in any weather condition. Generators are one of the most reliable forms of portable energy out there.

What is a Generator?

Generators charge your RV’s outlets so you can operate lights, charge phones, or even operate a microwave. For many campers, generator camping is the preferred way to camp. Over the years, generators have become more and more efficient. Today’s generators are much quieter than their predecessors and have a smaller footprint.

In RVing, there are two types of generators: a built-in onboard generator, and a portable generator.

An onboard generator is built into the RV and gets its fuel from the RV’s chassis fuel tank. An onboard fuel tank is common on toyhaulers. The onboard generator could also be fueled by the RV’s propane system.

When it comes to making your adventures easier and more comfortable for everyone, the class C motorhomes on sale at RVing Planet are an excellent place to start. Fall in love with the quality construction and reliable designs that will help you make the most of your time away. Learn more about four of our favorite designs in this class C motorhome review.

Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG

Your family of five can comfortably take vacations across the country in this Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG class C motorhome. Inside, you’ll find a queen bed, an overhead bunk, and a large U-dinette that gives you plenty of space for sleeping. The Swing-Arm Smart TV allows you to stream your favorite shows directly from your Smartphone!

Additional Features:

U-Shaped DinetteSwing-Arm Smart TVSleeps Five People16′ Power AwningCountertop Extension

Indian Point RV Resort, a beautiful getaway located on the waters of the Sioux Bayou, is a 180-acre property that has all the amenities to make your stay in the Great State of Mississippi a memorable experience. Whether you need a safe, peaceful place to spend the night, a week or several months, we can provide accommodations for you.

Perhaps you would enjoy a swim in one of our two pools, maybe a day fishing in the brackish waters of our beautiful bayou or spending time on the observation deck we have built for you to view the vast variety of birds that visit our area. We also provide for your convenience, a boat launch and dock, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, on-site laundry, bathhouse and mini-golf for the whole family to enjoy, and we offer free Wi-Fi for our guests. Our plan is to maximize your experience while you are at Indian Point RV Resort.

Southern Playground

Want to visit our nearby “Playground of the South”? We are only minutes away from the 26-mile stretch of white-sand beaches that feature great fishing, water sports and general relaxation on the Golden Gulf Coast. If you want a little more excitement, there are 11 casinos within 15 miles for your entertainment, a variety of seafood and other fine restaurants for your dining pleasure, golf courses as well as historical and cultural attractions. We have a great variety of retail stores for your shopping pleasure, too. We also have a restaurant on the grounds for your convenience.

Lots of Accommodations

Indian Point RV Resort also has 12 cabins that sleep 4 adults, 4 cabins that sleep 2 adults, 12 park models with 1 bedroom, 3 cottages with 1-bedroom and more for you to rent. We also provide you with an outdoor pavilion, fenced RV storage and a clubhouse. There is a playground for our younger guests on-site as well.

Named for the 11 long and narrow lakes running north to south, the Finger Lakes in Central New York is a popular destination for RV enthusiasts. The 9,000-square-mile area is a year-round outdoor playground for both adults and children. Home to wineries that rival those in Napa Valley, adults can sip their way through the countryside on the finest whites and reds. The young, and young at heart, will enjoy water sports, fishing, boating, and hiking through state parks and rocky gorges.

Visiting the Finger Lakes doesn’t have to be all about activity though! There are plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax. Take your time cruising through the wine country and enjoying miles of bucolic farmland. Swing by one of the three museums nearby and soak in the culture and history that comes along with the Finger Lakes. According to Native American legend, the 11 glacial lakes are thought to be “the Great Spirit,” leaving a handprint as a blessing on this specific area of NY.

The Finger Lakes is a classic vacation destination, but visiting the Finger Lakes in an RV empowers visitors to travel different through this beautiful northeastern territory. Slow down, sip wine, dine on local produce, learn about indigenous cultures, and then come back to your cozy home on wheels to recap your adventures around the fire.

Weather in the Finger Lakes

Known to be an ideal year-round spot to visit, the Finger Lakes are lucky enough to experience a shift from season to season, making it an interesting location to see year-round. Since the region boasts an array of outdoor activities, the most popular time of year to visit is late spring through summer (May-September). However, don’t let the season fool you. Unlike areas further south, the heat isn’t as much of a factor in the Finger Lakes. Mornings are a bit chilly, so bring a light sweater or jacket that you can remove later in the day. Afternoons hit the sweet spot in the low 80’s which tends to attract visitors outdoors to take advantage of the plethora of activities available. Spring and fall offer cooler temperatures without sacrificing any fun. The former offers blooming flowers and wine tastings galore, while the latter shows off its fall foliage and pumpkin farms. There isn’t a bad time to visit or bad weather to hold you back.

Taughannock Falls Sunset In Full Fall Colors in Finger Lakes Region. Image: Shutterstock.

Roseland Waterpark and Wake Park

If visiting during warmer weather, make sure the Roseland Waterpark and Wake Park are added to the must-do list. The entire family will spend the day splashing, sliding, gliding, jumping, and laughing. At Roseland Waterpark, there are 56 acres of slides including body and speed types with water cannons and river rafting to explore as well. Not feeling much like sliding? No worries. Wade into the 27,000 square-foot wave pool using the beach entrance and soak in the sun at your own pace. Next door, an ultramodern, nine-tower overhead cable system pulls up to nine adventurous riders around Muar Lake. It’s the first and only cable wake park on this side of the US. Plan for a full day to ensure everyone has a chance to explore both parks. Prepare by outfitting the whole crew with a pool float and lounger.

Squeeze more vacation fun into the last weeks of summer and into the fall. Good Sam has added 21 new parks to its network for more outstanding outdoor fun across North America. Good Sam members can enjoy the 10 percent discount at any of the RV parks in the Good Sam Network.

If you’re not a member, it’s easy to join. Buy a membership at any Good Sam Park, or sign up online. Check each Good Sam Park’s link (below) to determine seasonal availability and to make reservations.

Talladega Pit Stop RV Park & Campground, Talladega, Alabama

Camp across the street from one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks. This RV park offers a shuttle to/from the airport as well as to nearby racing attractions. Relax in RV campsites, rental cabins or tiny houses, or venture out to watch the racing action. Also nearby: The Talladega Race Track & Museum.

Heber RV Resort, Overgaard, Arizona

The White Mountains are where Arizonans escape the summer heat of the desert. Heber RV Resort has 71 50-amp full-hook-up sites and is large enough to handle big rigs, including toy haulers. The resort is located just two hours from Phoenix, between Payson and Show Low, just 1 mile north of Arizona State Route 260 on Arizona State Route 277.

Traveling solo is the kind of thing everyone should do at least once. Being on your own in an unfamiliar place, while a challenge, is a transformative experience. And when you’re traveling by RV, the personal growth you’ll experience is only amplified.

Alone on the open road, it’s easy to feel like you’re living in a classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. The freedom and flexibility are unmatched: You can explore in any direction the wind blows you. You can pursue new passions and connect with yourself. Whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for, you can go and find it.

Of course, traveling alone has its learning curve — as does RV travel. But put them together, and you’ve got a recipe for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Choosing a Rig, Building Your Skills

Making sure you can go it alone will require choosing an RV that you feel totally comfortable driving or towing, parking, setting up, and breaking down on your own. Don’t hesitate to try out multiple models so you can get a real feel for what it’ll be like behind the wheel. And because you’ll only have to cater to your own needs and comfort, traveling solo offers the opportunity to choose a smaller RV that’s more versatile and maneuverable — maybe even one that can get to out-of-the-way places inaccessible to bigger rigs.

The easiest way to hone the skill of driving your RV may also seem like the most obvious: practice! Drive around your block and neighborhood, preferably several times and in a variety of weather conditions. Be confident and comfortable maneuvering into and out of gas stations, making tight turns, and driving on both smaller surface streets and major highways.

The Florida Keys are a gorgeous chain of islands that stretches south from the Sunshine State, culminating in the southernmost point of the continental United States. The best time to visit the Keys is between March and May, because winter crowds will be on the decline and the weather will still be balmy and blissful (but not too hot or buggy yet).

Winter is the most popular time of year down here because so many people head south from the colder, and sometimes frozen, reaches of the north. Whether you are planning a winter getaway or trying to avoid the crowds by visiting in the shoulder season, we have some awesome recommendations of what to see and do in the Florida Keys.

Drive Over Seven Mile Bridge

The good news about this Keys attraction is that it is almost unavoidable. If you go as far as Big Pine Key, you will drive across Seven Mile Bridge. It is one of the most iconic spots in the Keys because the bridge’s elevation provides a perspective of the region that you just will not find anywhere else.

Visit the Hemingway Home and Museum

From cultural events like arts and theater, to fun-filled farmers markets, Tangipahoa Parish offers a variety of events for locals and tourists alike. Located in southeast Louisiana, at the intersection of Interstates 12 and 55, Tangipahoa Parish is in close proximity to major destinations like New Orleans, Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Antiques, Spaghetti and Strawberries

Ponchatoula has earned the title of “America’s Antique City” because of the many antiques and collectible shops there. The city hosts the Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days-Arts & Crafts Fair each March and November with over 200 vendors.

While in Hammond, you will enjoy the Pirates of the Pontchartrain Festival, the Smokin’ BBQ Challenge as well as the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, which starts November 6. See fantastic planes at the Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow on October 16-17.

2020 brought about one of the biggest revolutions in the workplace—widespread remote work. Today, it’s clear that “work-from-home,” is here to stay. Even as offices open back up, employers are becoming more and more flexible with work schedules, allowing remote and hybrid work options to prospective employees looking for flexibility.

Working remotely just makes sense. Studies have shown those who work from home are more productive, doing more work in less time. Remote work eliminates daily commutes and lends to more efficient group meetings with less wasted time. Remote work has upended the cubicle and redefined what it means to work smarter, not harder.

Jobs that pair well with remote work span industries. You can work remotely in:

ITMarketingDesignFinanceOperationsSoftware EngineeringCustomer ServicePublishing

…and so much more.

Here at Camping World, we’re excited about remote work, not just because our own employees work remotely, but because our valued camping customers are remote workers too.

It should come as no surprise that the town of Cody in Wyoming has seen a lot. In fact, if the buildings that line these streets could talk, there’s no doubt they’d have plenty of stories to share. Stories of bank robberies gone sideways, frontier justice, unforgettable adventures and undying friendships. Oh, and we can’t forget a ghost story or two!

It’s been 125 years since this one-time rough-and-tumble frontier town was founded by the legendary Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. And over the years it has certainly attracted its fair share of colorful characters. Perhaps more than you may expect to find in a town that boasts just 10,000 full-time residents.

When you visit, you can learn all about Cody’s curious history and the people who shaped it by listening to a free TravelStorys walking tour. Created in partnership with Park County Travel Council and Buffalo Bill Center of the West, TravelStorys is a unique and amazingly insightful 45-minute tour highlighting the independence, enthusiasm, and visionary thinking of the town’s early settlers.

Best of all, many of the places featured on the tour can be found along Sheridan Ave., Cody’s vibrant main street.

Here are a few of the places you’ll visit on your TravelStorys walking Tour.

Cool summer camping is easy for Colorado RVers like me. From June to September, I’m beating the heat in the Rocky Mountain high country. Of course, other cool mountain town destinations are out there too, and because my home has wheels, adding them to my bucket list makes sense. From the West Coast Cascades to the Whiteface region of the Adirondacks, these four are on my RVing bucket list. Keep reading and you won’t need much convincing to add them to yours, too.

Embrace Your Inner Bavarian in Leavenworth, Washington

There are four places named “Leavenworth” in the U.S. But only one is a cool place to be during the hottest time of the year. Nestled in the eastern Cascades, Leavenworth sits at 1,171-feet altitude, just high enough to whisk you away from scorching summer temperatures. Surrounded by towering alpine peaks and bordered by the cool, crystal clear Icicle River, this former lumber town was re-imagined into a West Coast Bavaria in the 1960s. But it has so much more going for it than bakeries, beer and brats.

For outdoorsy RVers, there’s epic hiking, rafting, and water sports that hardly scratch the surface of things to do in Leavenworth.You’ll want to stay all summer and into fall to hike, bike, paddle and fish your way through the seasons.Then there are Leavenworth’s annual celebrations you won’t want to miss, like Bavarian Bike & Brew (June), Kinderfest (July), the Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival (September), and of course Oktoberfest.

Where to RV Camp in Leavenworth

Welcome Mirna! Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, and what draws you to RV travel?

A. The flexibility and the ability to control my own travel experience without having to worry about hotels and transportation. The comfort of the actual vehicle itself and the coolness of it supporting my work as a professional adventurer!

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less!

A. Comfortable, flexible, exploration, spontaneous, nature-driven

Camping and fishing go hand-in-hand in our family. It’s a great way to get away from the usual demands of life while enjoying nature with the people you love. Whether it’s from the dock, the shore, or on a boat, fishing can be a fun outdoor activity for people of all ages and abilities.

While my husband and I tend to get overly excited about catching big fish, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching our 2-year-old son reel in his own fish, or hearing his “oo’s” and “ah’s” after mom and dad catch a big one. But there are also the life lessons that come with fishing, which I’ll get to in a moment.

I know for some parents, fishing with kids might seem impossible. It’s hard enough to keep your little ones focused on one thing, let alone without hooks and tackle involved. But as a mom who has taken her 2-year-old and 6-month-old fishing many times, I can honestly say that it can be done! Here are 10 tips to how to fish as a family and make it a lasting hobby. 

1. A Kid-Friendly Fishing Spot

Before you pick a fishing spot, think about how you can make a day of fishing easier for you and your kids.

Are you able to fish near your RV or home so that if worst comes to worst, you can pack up the tackle box and call it a day?Is your fishing spot fairly accessible, or will you and your kids have to do some hiking to get to your destination?Is it necessary to have a restroom or changing table nearby?

When in doubt, I opt for the shoreline, riverbank, dock, or public fishing pier. It gives me the option to pack up quickly if I need to. I also feel more at ease when my kids are on land versus a moving boat. Of course, there are safe ways to fish on a boat with your kids. Boating gives you access to more places on the water while allowing your family to enjoy a fun boat ride. Just make sure everyone is wearing life jackets and you pack for a day on the water. Choose a lake that’s smaller so that it’s easier to navigate and stay protected from windy conditions.