#ThingsToDoWhileCamping

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Memorial Day Meaning - What Are We Really Remembering Today?

With today being Memorial Day, I will deviate from my typical Monday blog and pause to reflect on the men and women who gave their lives to defend the freedoms we have today. Growing up, I learned early on that Memorial Day wasn’t just a day off from school or the unofficial start of summer. It was a day for reverent reflection—a sacred pause amid life’s busyness. As a family, we would visit the…

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Nature weaving with the kids. #thingstodowhilecamping #camping #mothernature #weaving #natureart

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The small things that remind you of what your favorite pastime is 😋 ✌🏽 #running #ultrarulez #sporttracksscenes #myfirstblacknail #topullornottopullThatisthequestion #thingstodowhilecamping (her: Landal De Schatberg)

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Count Your Blessings, Just Like Grandma Said

It’s funny how life moves. One moment you’re running through the backyard barefoot, chasing fireflies, and the next you’re sitting in traffic, wondering how you’ll stretch the grocery budget one more week. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, the pace picks up—and it doesn’t let go. These days, it feels like time slips through our fingers like water. Days become weeks, weeks turn into…

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Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes You’ll Want Every Night

The Side Dish Your Taste Buds Will Never Forget There’s something timeless about a well-prepared potato side dish, and few recipes turn heads like Garlic Parmesan Potatoes. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor, this isn’t just a side—it’s a scene-stealer. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, planning a summer cookout, or simply craving a hearty comfort food…

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Discover 6 Unforgettable Arkansas State Parks for RV Camping Bliss

When it comes to scenic RV camping, Arkansas may not get the spotlight—but it absolutely deserves it. With dense forests, ancient mountain ranges, sparkling lakes, and miles of untamed rivers, The Natural State is an outdoor playground just waiting to be explored. Its state parks deliver more than just a place to park your rig—they offer experiences you won’t soon forget. Whether you’re into…

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Discover Michigan’s Most Unique Tourist Attractions Right Now

When most travelers think of Michigan, they picture pristine lakeshores, lighthouses, and maybe a Mackinac Island fudge shop or two. But tucked between its iconic shorelines and quiet forests lies a lesser-known side of the Mitten State—a world of quirky, unexpected, and utterly unforgettable attractions that you won’t find in any ordinary travel brochure. If you’re looking to plan a road trip…

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Can You Dump RV Grey Water Anywhere? Know the Law Before You Flow

Boondocking. Going off-grid. Getting back to nature. Whatever you want to call it, this type of camping connects us directly to the great outdoors. Whether it’s the Copper Basin’s wide-open spaces or the dramatic elevation of the Appalachian Mountains—including the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains—nature calls us to unplug and explore. But here’s something we all eventually face: once our…

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What’s in an Apple? A Morning with Grandma Cooper

I remember one quiet morning walking into Grandma Cooper’s kitchen. The house was filled with the smell of something warm and familiar—probably oatmeal bubbling gently on the stove. But what caught my eye wasn’t the scent or the pot. It was Grandma herself, standing perfectly still near the window, holding an apple in her hand like it was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen. She was…

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Brighten Your Morning - Easy Lemon Blueberry Pancakes on the Griddle

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes are a match made in heaven. Zesty lemon, plump juicy blueberries, and fluffy pancakes—all smothered in butter and maple syrup or your favorite toppings. Ok, not exactly one of those super healthy breakfasts, but a great way to start off a Sunday morning. Whether you’re flipping them at a campground or savoring a quiet morning at home, there’s something irresistibly…

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Ride Idaho’s Hidden Highways - Scenic Motorcycle Routes You Need to Explore

I was getting new tires for our 5th wheel toy hauler the other day when one of the technicians struck up a conversation about motorcycle rides. He and his buddy had ridden through some of the same places we have, swapping stories about the Tail of the Dragon, the Pacific Coast Highway, and Beartooth Pass. But then he mentioned something unexpected—Idaho. I laughed and said, “All I know about…

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All Aboard the Steam Powered Trains of Michigan - A Journey Through Time

I remember the excitement of playing for hours with my electric Lionel train, marveling as it puffed real smoke while chugging along the track. There’s just something magical about trains, especially steam-powered engines, which have a way of taking us back in time. The sound of the engine’s whistle, the hiss of steam, and the rhythmic chugging of the wheels bring to life a part of American…

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Who Really Builds Your RV? A Deep Dive Into the Big Three Manufacturers

When you’ve spent more than 40 years adventuring in a variety of RVs, you learn a few things—not just about the open road, but about the rigs themselves. From our early days with a Starcraft pop-up, to traveling with a Kodiak travel trailer, a Keystone travel trailer, a Coachmen Class C motorhome, and now hauling our motorcycles in a Rogue Armored 5th wheel toy hauler—we’ve built a lifetime of…

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Grandma Cooper’s Chipmunk, Michigan’s Unsung Weather Prophet

When most people think of weather prediction by animals, they picture the legendary Punxsutawney Phil—Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog. Each February 2nd, the nation turns its attention to see if Phil will cast a shadow and doom us all to six more weeks of winter. But in our family, we didn’t need Phil. We had Grandma Cooper’s chipmunk. Yes, you read that right. A chipmunk. Tucked in the…

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Blackstone Western BBQ Burgers with Crispy Onion Strings

Smoky, cheesy, crunchy, saucy, and downright irresistible—these griddle-made burgers combine juicy beef patties, crispy bacon, homemade onion strings, and a tangy BBQ mayo all nestled between toasted Texas toast (or not, a bun will do). Serves: 6–8 | Time: 40 minutes | Difficulty: Easy Ingredients For the Burgers: 3 pounds 85–90% lean ground beef 1 egg 2 tbsp liquid smoke 1 tsp kosher salt 1…

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Unwind at Beaver Lake & Eureka Springs, Arkansas’s Hidden Paradise

Tucked away in the Ozark Mountains, where emerald hills meet the glistening waters of a man-made reservoir, lies a pair of destinations that feel like a secret escape into serenity: Beaver Lake and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Whether you’re searching for adventure on the water, healing in a historic spa town, or simply a quiet place to pitch your tent and reconnect with nature, this unforgettable…