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.

The first signs of summer coming to a close have peeped through. The good news is there is still time to explore Bryce Canyon Country in the warm weather. Pack up the RV and make Bryce Canyon Country your final summer road trip.

Bryce Canyon Country is filled with hidden gems throughout the area. It really could be explored for a few weeks. Here are some last-minute travel and activity ideas in Bryce Canyon Country that you may have never heard of.

Ticaboo

This area is located in the southeastern part of Bryce Canyon Country right by Lake Powell. Spend several carefree days staying at Ticaboo Lodge RV Park boating, ATVing, swimming, biking and kayaking. On Friday nights, you catch an outdoor movie and have a BBQ. Rentals are available for kayaks, ATVs, boats and bikes. Spend your days playing right up against the beautiful red rocks of Lake Powell with the conveniences of Ticaboo Lodge.

Panguitch Lake

Want to go fishing? Panguitch Lake is rated as one of the most popular fishing spots in Southern Utah. Panguitch comes from the Paiute Native American word “big fish,” so you’ll definitely catch some big fish here. Stay at Panguitch Lake Resort RV Park and be steps away from the lake each day!

Summer is in full swing, which means many campers are heading out to their favorite destinations for a bit of fun and sun with their families. If you are looking for the perfect travel trailer to take you and your family out this summer, don’t miss the Keystone Cougar travel trailers for sale on RVing Planet. We’ll take a look at three incredible deals available today in this Keystone Cougar travel trailers review.

Keystone Cougar

Travel light when you have a Keystone Cougar 22MLS travel trailer that’s built for three. This unit is an easy-to-tow option that features a king bed and booth dinette for sleeping space. You’ll enjoy having the large rear kitchen for making delicious meals at the campground.

Additional Features:

King-Size BedTheater SeatingBooth DinetteLarge SlidePass-Through Storage

Keystone Cougar Half-Ton

If you are looking for a half-ton towable with the perfect layout for a family of four, this Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 22RBS travel trailer is an excellent option for your family. The full bathroom features a radius shower, foot-flushing toilet, sink, and a corner linen cabinet. The large pantry in the kitchen allows you to keep all your favorite snacks and ingredients within easy reach.

Make travel easy when you have the right RV for your needs. The Thor Motor Coach motorhomes for sale on RVing Planet provide a simple, easy solution to all your dreams of traveling the USA. Check out six incredible ways to hit the road this summer in this Thor Motor Coach motorhomes review.

Thor Motor Coach Chateau

If you are looking for an excellent way to travel the country with your family, take home this Thor Motor Coach Chateau 24F class C motorhome today! This motorhome sleeps up to five, features a full-wall slide for maximum interior space, and features inside and out that will keep your family happy and comfortable all week long.

Additional Features:

Full-Wall Slide76″ Dream DinettePrivacy Curtain39″ TV with SwivelBunk Over Cab

Thor Motor Coach Quantum

The Thor Motor Coach Quantum class C motorhome features a Ford E-Series chassis with a 7.3L Triton V8 350 hp gas engine to make your road trip smooth. The dream dinette is ideal for family dinners and converts into a sleeping space for the kids. Enjoy having plenty of shade wherever you go, thanks to the 15′ power awning.

Hi Folks! This month, we’ll talk about RV water pressure, mildew, screeching inverters, nitrogen and toilet tanks. Remember, you can submit your RVing questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Happy Trails!

Hi Mark,
Our Carriage Cameo fifth-wheel is stored outside in an RV storage area for the winter. We go out to check on it about every 7 to 10 days. We store it with all three ceiling vents open and cabinet doors open. Yesterday when we entered it, we noticed a distinct musty smell for the first time, much like many house basements have. We did find what appeared to be dark bacteria or mildew cultures in the RV antifreeze left in the stool during winterizing. I cleaned that all out and rinsed the stool with Clorox. Are there other measures we could or should take?
Thanks,
John

Hi John,
Mildew and mold need two things to thrive: moisture and a source of organic nutrition. Mold and mildew love to grow on dusty surfaces, so a good cleaning of all exposed surfaces to remove dust and lint will help a lot. Airborne moisture can usually be controlled in drier climates by providing ventilation, but in humid areas, only a dehumidifier of some sort will work. You need to keep the interior humidity below 60 percent at all times. Installing an indoor thermometer/hygrometer with a memory function can be a big help, as it will allow you to monitor the actual peak humidity over time. You should also check the rig very carefully for water leaks. A tiny leak on a roof or sidewall will allow water into the wood framing and insulation in the RV and create a perfect climate for mold. Keep it clean and dry, and you won’t have any mold problems.

Mark,
I have had several motorhomes, and water pressure is always a problem! When taking a shower, the pump always cycles on and off. I have updated to a variable-speed pump with a higher volume (4.0 GPM) with no success. The next thing I am going to try is to add an accumulator on the discharge of the pump. Any good ideas?
Mike

There’s a reason we fall in love with travel. It’s why children imagine their treehouse an observation deck deep in the jungle, or the local sledding hill a Himalayan peak. It’s why teenagers plaster their suburban bedrooms with maps and posters, and why so many of us – the very moment we’re able – strike out for places unknown.

A love of travel is born from the magnetism of the new and unexplored. From the next valley over, or just past the bend in the river, from far-off shores or just two states away, the urge to travel rings like a siren song, impossible to ignore, calling us toward the horizon.

The common adage that “travel is the only expense in life that makes you richer” is unquestionably true. Each trip leaves us more complete, more compassionate, more creative, and more eager than ever to chart a new course.

There are plenty of ways to satisfy this wanderlust, from a backpacking adventure to a jet-set tour abroad. But there is perhaps no journey more romantic, inspiring, challenging, or rewarding than to travel the open road. For true wanderers, those who see travel as a path to discovery and enrichment, an RV is the ultimate ticketthat never expires. Here’s why.

An RV is your ticket to ride, no reservation required.

Discover: your passion

Whatever you love, you might love it even more from an RV. If you’re into birdwatching, rock climbing, plein air art, music festivals, whitewater rafting, or anything else, an RV gives you easy access to settings others may have trouble reaching.

It’s no secret, Montana and Wyoming are top road trip destinations in the American Northwest. Of all the places we’ve visited with our travel trailer, these neighboring states have been home to some of the most beautiful, Instagrammable RV spots. 

The two states are known for their national parks, lush forests, pristine lakes and majestic mountains — which helped when my husband and I were looking for places to capture content worthy of the ‘gram. There are size restrictions on Going to the Sun Road at Glacier National Park , and parking roadside to take photos can be a problem at other national parks. So, I found scenic, RV-friendly locations outside of the National Park System. Here are a few of the most Instagrammable RV spots in Montana and Wyoming.

Whether you enjoy taking shareable photos for Instagram, or you just love capturing beautiful moments and memorializing them in a scrapbook; these spots will make for unbelievable memories and wonderful photos.

Falls Campground

Get ready to RV camp at Falls Campground in Dubois, Wyo. where you’re surrounded by tall pine and fir trees and sounds of a creek running with trout. This slice of heaven connects to the mighty Brooks Lake Creek Falls. The campground was recently remodeled and has 54 sites that are first-come first-served. We had a blast catching a couple of small trout and hiking by the waterfalls. We captured quite a few Instagrammable moments.

Middle Fork Flathead River

Middle Fork Flathead River in Columbia Falls, Mont. is a great basecamp for boondocking while exploring Glacier National Park. I loved the picturesque view of our camper parked next to the river against the backdrop of the valleys. Be sure to bring a tripod for long exposure milky way shots and campfire moments. Beware — the short drive down to the river is extremely bumpy. We bottomed out a couple of times so remember to take it slow. 

Ever since our kids were tiny, it’s been important to us to raise them to be global citizens. When our oldest was only 4 months old, we set off on a trip to southern Africa, visiting 5 countries over the next 5 weeks. It was an incredible adventure and set a precedent of learning about other customs, cultures, and peoples.

Since then, we’ve loved taking him and our other 4 children on many global adventures across 6 continents. It’s been eye-opening to appreciate other ways of life and we can only hope it fosters empathy, compassion, understanding, and advocacy in our children.

Of course, the global pandemic put a pause on our global travels. We were no longer able to explore the world in person for a while, so we started seeking out other ways to teach global citizenship. Learning about the world right from home has been an incredible experience, especially through our Global Children’s Book Club. But we wanted to do more.

We purchased our first RV exactly a year ago, not knowing at all what to expect. We figured we’d use it as a way to safely see high-risk family members, but we had no idea how much it would help us continue raising little global citizens, without crossing borders. Here are 5 ways RV travel has helped us to do exactly that!

MEETING OTHERS

The Harbuck kids play and explore at the campground. RV Travel allows children to make new friends, or even pen pals, with other children of varying cultures and backgrounds.

Before we started RVing, it seemed like a very solitary adventure to me. There we’d be, stuck in our tiny little box together with no one else to talk to. Wow, was I wrong! I went from RV skeptic to RV convert. It turns out, we spend so much less time INside our RV than I ever expected. That’s because one of the biggest advantages of family RV travel is that we have an ever-changing backyard to explore! And that also means we get to meet so many new people every single day.

Fourteen states claim their own section of Atlantic coastline. In the US, that’s over 95,000 miles of shoreline, from the tip of Florida up to the border of Maine and Canada—a lot of coastline to see. So let’s take a closer look at the southern states and their unique coastal cultures.

You might be thinking ‘A beach is a beach– what makes the Atlantic coast so special?’

There’s good reason to take your time on a slow road trip up America’s east coast, even if you’re not a big fan of sand. Early risers find this itinerary gifts daily sunrises that never get old. But beyond where the sea hits the sand, there’s much more to see and do:

Photograph historic lighthouses.Find your sea legs on the Brigantine tall ships of yesteryear.Feast on fresh fish, crab, and oysters all the way up the coast.Go back in time and visit some of the first European settlements.Paddle your way through craggy inlets, intercostal waterways, and calm bay waters.Find solitude on deserted islands and beaches.

Weather Along the Atlantic Coast

When traveling along the coast, be mindful of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November. This is during peak summer and fall travel time, so be prepared to be flexible with your plans. Hurricanes are typically monitored and tracked well in advance as they develop out in the ocean. Check to see if any systems are forming, and be generous when avoiding the projected path of a hurricane. Know how to act if you encounter an unexpected storm in your RV. But, the best scenario is to always avoid inclement weather when you can. Keep a close eye on the NOAA website to stay informed by weather experts.

Try road-tripping north to south in the spring as you chase warmer weather. Or reverse the road trip on a Fall drive, and enjoy never-ending leaf changes along your journey.

RVing with pets during a heatwave isn’t the most fun way to explore the country, but sometimes you just can’t get away from the swelter. When Mother Nature catches up with us during the summer season, these three easy ways to keep RVing pets cool will help you keep them safe wherever you roam.

When the heat hits

Our first canine co-pilot was a cool coastal dog who had never experienced a “real” summer inland. But on that hot July afternoon when we landed in Moab as newbie RVers, we quickly discovered how heat affects traveling dogs. Jerry’s constant panting and reluctance to take short walks were all we needed to know that the heat was too much for him. It was time to navigate north to cooler temperatures, so we did. And in the meantime, I wish I had known these top tips for RVing with pets during a heatwave.

Portable fans are not always helpful for pets

If you’re lucky enough to have full hookups during a heatwave, congratulations! You’ve won half the heatwave battle. Air conditioning is a lifesaver for pets and people living through a heatwave. Just don’t trust your unit enough to leave your pet home alone with it running. Heatwaves cause power outages all the time, especially in RV parks. Many RVers use a portable fan as a backup or when RV hookups lack enough amperage to run an air conditioner unit. This seems like a logical thing to do during a heatwave, but be careful.

Portable fans sometimes do what they’re supposed to. Like when slightly humid outdoor temperatures hover under 95-degrees Fahrenheit. That’s when fans can be safe for humans because we sweat throughout our bodies. The moisture cools our skin (known as “evaporative cooling“), and we feel better when a breeze hits it. But new research shows that when the outside temperature is dryer and hotter, and a person lacks air conditioning, portable fans just push hot air around and make things worse. They suck precious moisture from already dehydrated people and especially pets, who sweat mainly through their paws.

Who doesn’t love an easy update? And, even more so, who doesn’t love an easy update that delivers a huge improvement? Want a “wow,” effect with little effort? Look to interior lighting to transform your RV living space. Let’s look at how to set the mood with lighting and give your RV’s interior an update.

RV Interior Lighting

One of the best, and easiest, updates you can make in your rig is changing out the light fixtures. While RV manufacturers are stepping up their game in RV interiors to emulate modern styles, there are still your own chosen light fixtures that simply make your space just feel more like home.

This mid-century style light fixture gives an RV an updated but retro look.

RV Lighting DIY

There are so many various decor styles out there and light fixtures to be found to match any of them! Country chic, boho, mid-century modern, and more. You can even get creative and create your own light fixtures by repurposing other items into fixtures to match your personal decor style. Baskets are a great example of this. The basket light fixture trend is strong, and it provides such a great update at a fraction of the cost of a chandelier or shade.

Owning an RV can be an expensive investment, but when you consider the costs of what most of us spend on traditional vacations, is it that big of a difference? We’ll take a look at what the average family spends on vacations per year and compare it to the costs of owning an RV and traveling with your RV. Don’t miss this breakdown of the costs and benefits of RV travel.

Costs of Traditional Vacations

According to an article by Business Insider, in 2019, the average person will spend $1,979 on vacations a year. This means that a family of four can expect to pay around $7,916 per year on travel and vacation expenses. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of these expenses.

Travel Expenses – $280-$800

Whether you plan to drive or fly, you’ll have to budget for travel expenses. Below, we’ll evaluate the costs of a family of four traveling from Chicago, IL, to Orlando, FL. We’ll compare the prices of driving vs. flying.

Driving

The drive from Chicago, IL, to Orlando, FL, is approximately 1,160 miles without stops or detours. This drive will take around 17 hours to complete but should be taken in increments. If you drive about eight hours a day, you’ll make it to Florida in 2.5 days. Let’s assume your car gets 25 miles to the gallon and gas is $3.00 a gallon. You’ll spend a total of $140 both ways or $280 on fuel roundtrip.

Flying

Flying to your destination is a faster and, in many ways, easier way to travel. However, it comes at a price. The average cost of a flight from Chicago to Orlando is around $200 per person roundtrip, which means you’d spend $800 to fly.

So you’ve decided to hit the road and travel the country in an RV with your family–that is such an amazing, life-changing, and positive decision! So many memories are to be found while exploring new territory with your family.

While a lifelong vacation may sound like a great concept, we all know that just isn’t reality. For most people, work goes on. For all of those with kids, school absolutely must go on. No matter where you’re parked, class is in session every day.

Regardless of your schooling style or philosophy, a few different supplies for roadschooling will make learning all the easier on the road. Outfit your roadschool classroom with everything from basics (like pencils and scissors), to more creative (like watercolors and sketchbooks). Even knowledge-gaining like field guides and books are a must while you travel and teach.

Basic Roadschool Supplies

Keep supplies tidy with canisters for storing pencils. Have extra notebooks on hand for journaling and writing exercises.

Pencils, paper, spiral notebooks, scissors, crayons, map colors, markers, rulers, and the list goes on. Just because you’re deciding to go tiny doesn’t mean you don’t need the basics like you would in any other classroom. Though many days your classroom will be the great outdoors, you will still need a pencil and paper at some point. Fortunately, all of the above-mentioned basics are pretty weightless and compact so finding storage for them isn’t really that big of an issue.

Another great addition to have with you is a printer. I know I know, a printer? Isn’t that bulky and doesn’t it add extra weight? Yes, yes it does. However, time and again I’ve found myself needing to, or wishing I could, print something off (like worksheets, or articles) and been so glad we’ve made room for a printer on the road with us! So definitely bring a printer on board.

Roadschooling is now a growing trend among families. You may have recently heard the term but you aren’t quite sure what it is. As a mom who homeschools while traveling, I’m excited to share everything I know about roadschooling including what it is and how to do it.

What Is Roadschooling?

Roadschooling is basically homeschooling on the road. Living in an RV or trailer or taking road trips while teaching your children is considered roadschooling. The goal with roadschooling is to integrate your children’s experiences, as part of their education.

For example, while in Huntsville, Alabama, we visited the Space and Rocket Center, which turned into a whole lesson about space and astronauts.

Benefits of Road Schooling

This type of learning is unique because it involves both traditional learning courses and the use of life experiences to give kids a well-rounded education. It affords parents the ability to take classroom concepts and relate them to the real world, making learning more organic, fun, and ultimately more effective.

An Exciting Education

Even for children who love learning, the classroom can quickly become repetitive and tedious. Hours of leafing through books, watching the clock, and taking notes have traditionally been the vibe of the classroom.