The Uncertainty of RV Travel in 2021

What a year 2020 has been. We can’t wait till 2021 begins. But that said, there are no guarantees on what RV Travel in 2021 will be like. It promises to still be challenging. Very challenging in certain places. In fact, as we review all the growing travel restrictions, lockdowns and restrictions as we experience what is described as the Third Wave of COVID, uncertain seems to be the one word that best describes what will most characterize RV travel in 2021. To listen to this episode of the RV Podcast, click the player below: Take RV Travel in Pennsylvania for example For now and in the indefinite future, its state parks are off-limits to out-of-staters, unless they meet some tough requirements. If you live in another state and visit a state park in Pennsylvania, you must show proof of a COVID-19 test, with negative results, that was taken within 72 hours of arriving in the commonwealth. If you can't prove you test negative, you must quarantine 14 days on arrival in Pennsylvania. And camping in a state park or forest as part of the quarantine regimen is not allowed. Fines for violations can be as high as $300. Read more here from our friends at RVTravel. New Mexico has similar restrictions It is pretty much the same in New Mexico. No out of state residents can camp in any of the state parks until Dec. 31. Only people with a New Mexico driver’s license are allowed in the state’s parks According to the order, out of state visitors must do a two-week quarantine if they plan to travel within the state. Our immediate plans for RV Travel in early 2021 So, let me tell you what we are doing: We're staying relatively close to home and not planning any long trips for most of December. What RV travel we will be doing for the next few weeks will be in the Great Lakes region, or, after Christmas, down near our Florida condo, where we'll closely monitor local conditions and maintain social distancing. Yes, we are going camping… just not far from home for a few weeks. We'll be avoiding any gatherings or groups and stick pretty much to ourselves. Our Annual Winter Campout in January is on hold Every winter, we gather with about 50 other RVers for Winter Campout at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The dates for the 2021 gathering are January 8-12. But Michigan is a state with lots of COVID restrictions, including a liit of groups of over 10. Also, restaurants are closed. Usually, our group takes over local restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights. We haven't ruled it completely out but, unless things drastically change, it looks like this gathering may not be the smartest thing for 2021 The Florida RV Supershow is still on This is one of the biggest RV shows in the nation. We attend every year. As of now, it's still on, scheduled for Jan 13-17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. But many manufacturers say they are skipping the show this year. Camping World is not going. Neither is Leisure Travel Vans. Frankly, we're not sure if we will go. While the show is mostly outdoors, traipsing in and out of small RVs all day long seems unduly risky. Yes, most will be wearing masks. But even if they regulate how many can go inside an RV at any given time, you will still be exposed to a lot of air in a confined space that was breathed out by a lot of people. We're holding the dates open. Maybe things will improve over the next two months. If so, we'll go. If not, we won't. Being flexible is the key in the midst of the uncertainty involving RV travel in 2021. Is the RV Industry "Essential?" One worry many in the RV industry have has to do with government shutdowns of RV dealerships and campgrounds deemed as nonessential businesses by government regulators. That’s what happened in the spring. With this latest surge, the industry is fighting hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again. The RV Industry Association (RVIA) is pulling out the stops in attempting to convince both federal and state governments their operations are “essential” business. The RVIA has sent letters to all 50 states’ governors and several federal agencies stating every sector of the RV industry, from manufacturing to dealerships, and service centers to RV parks and campgrounds should be allowed to stay open. The group makes its case that RVs are critical resources for medical uses, including rolling clinics and personnel sleeping quarters. Likewise, service centers will keep these necessary rigs working, as well as helping families who need their rigs running “as a reasonable and socially distant way to spend quality time.” This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer For a 10% discount on purchases over $99, use the discount code RVLIFESTYE10. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK To listen to this episode of the RV Podcast, click the player below: Man trying to take a picture at Great Smoky Mountains National Park loses footing and falls to his death An Alabama man fell to his death at Chimney Tops Overlook at Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week while trying to take a picture. The man was with his family, and went off trail to try to take a better shot. While climbing down a steep dirt embankment he lost his footing and plummeted 50 feet below. He died from head trauma, officials said, and is the first person to die at this park while taking pictures. Ioway Tribal National Park to offer camping and will be the second national park on tribal land The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska is creating the nation’s largest tribal national park on a forested bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The 444-acre park in Nebraska will have camping, hiking and presentations where the tribe tells the story of their people to visitors. Called the Loway Tribal National Park, the land will overlook a historic trading village and burial mounds. This national park will be the second national park on tribal land in the country. The Iowa Tribe once had about 12,000 acres on both sides of the Nebraska-Kansas border. The tribe lost most of this land in 1887. Pandemic blamed for more hiking injuries During the pandemic more and more people are venturing outdoors. We've seen an increase in RV sales, RV rentals, national park visitations, campground reservations and even trail use. The increase in hikers was the topic of a recent story we saw (click here) which highlighted how more people on the trails has resulted in more hiking injuries throughout the country. The story made me think of a podcast we did some time back with an expert hiker to discuss hiking safety. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced trail explorer, it is a good thing to review, so we have linked it here. Rhode Island campground transforms into a drive thru holiday light show A campground in Rhode Island is getting into the holiday cheer by hosting a drive thru light show. The Wawaloam Campground created a mile long light show synchronized to music that the public can drive through to spread the holiday cheer. The idea started a year ago, before COVID-19, but organizers said the event is perfect during a pandemic as visitors, who must purchase a ticket electronically to enter, stay in their car and drive through the woods for some holiday cheer. To see the light show click here. Colorado to receive new campground at Carter Lake Reservoir by spring 2022 Great Outdoors Colorado gave a county in Colorado $475,000 to create a campground at Carter Lake Reservoir in Loveland. Called the Sky View Campground, each site will have electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Sky View Campground will also have sites for people with limited mobility and have group camping options. The campground will open next year or in spring of 2022. Great Outdoors Colorado receives a portion of that state's lottery income to help preserve and enhance the state's parks. This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK To listen to this episode of the RV Podcast, click the player below: QUESTION: What are the three most important things or tips you would give us knowing we are picking up a new RV from near Phoenix, AZ in a few weeks and driving across the country to home??? -Laura and Steve, Columbus, Ohio ANSWER: Before we give you our three tips, let me first suggest you really plan your route. Weather can change on a time between Arizona and Ohio in the winter and If you have to change routes or find a place to stay because of weather, you want to know your options. To that end, I recommend you get the RV Trip Wizard app and membership. You can find it at rvlifestyle.com/rvtripwizard It is simply THE BEST tool there is for planning RV trips. Our top 3 tips for what to do when getting a new RV: Video the entire walkthrough that the dealer gives you when you take possession of the RV. One of you should video, the other should take notes. Don’t let the person giving you the walkthrough rush. Make sure you understand everything they show you. If it’s something mechanical…like putting out a slide, setting auto levelers, even simple thinks like turning the propane on or controlling the refrigerator, have them demonstrate and then both of you do it. Make sure you can reach the walkthrough person on the phone the next day. When you get to your first overnight stop, do as many things that you were shown in the walkthrough as you set up camp for the first time. Consult the notes and the video. As soon as possible, make checklists for setting up camp, turning on things, getting ready to leave camp. Make a page of questions and then call that walkthrough person the next day to go over them. We want to invite people to be a part of our RV Lifestyle Group on Facebook.Just go to https://rvlifestyle.com/facebook There are more than 45,