Rate Your Health Considering Your Age

Above, Fort Massac State Park near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As the following RV Travel article states, aging is a funny thing.

Funny, in the sense that is varies among individuals. One may be in excellent health, while another person of the same age may be a wreck. Or, one may be somewhere in-between.

RV Travel has posted a poll on how one rates their health considering their age. 

It begins with:

Aging is a funny thing. One day you’re bouncing back from anything, and the next day you make a strange noise just standing up from your camp chair. But here’s the thing: Age and health don’t always go hand in hand the way people assume they do.

Some RVers in their 70s are hiking trails, climbing into truck campers, and exploring the country like they’re decades younger. Others feel every mile in their joints by the end of a travel day. And, honestly, most of us probably fall somewhere in between.

Health can mean a lot of different things, too. Maybe you deal with aches and pains, but still feel strong overall. Maybe you take medications or have limitations, but consider yourself healthy for your age. Or maybe you feel better now than you did 10 years ago because you finally have less stress and more time to enjoy life.

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

How Many Miles Are On Your Motorhome Or Tow Vehicle?

Above, at Fort Massac campground next to the Ohio River near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel has posted a poll asking how many miles are on your motorhome or tow vehicle. 

For me, my Class C 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie has clocked 72,000 miles. That averages 7,200 miles per year since it is a ten year old vehicle. But that's not accurate as I usually clock about 2,000 to 3,000 per year at most. The 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois and the 2017 Great American Eclipse trip were mainly the reason for the mileage.  

RV Travel begins their poll with:

Unless you just bought your RV, there’s a good chance your RV or tow vehicle has some serious miles on it. If you’re using it the way most RVers do—traveling from park to park and exploring new places—those miles can add up fast.

Go take a quick look at the odometer. If you have a towable RV, check your tow vehicle. If you have a motorhome, check the mileage there.

For many RVers, those numbers reflect years of travel, road conditions, and real-world wear and tear. Whether it’s 30,000 or 130,000 miles, it’s useful to know where your vehicle stands—and interesting to see how you compare with others.

Let us know how many miles you’ve logged by answering the poll below. And if you’ve passed a big milestone like 100,000 miles, feel free to share what kind of rig you’re driving and how it’s held up over time.

To read more and take part in the poll, go here. 

Alcohol Consumption In State Parks

Above, Fort Massac State Park on the Ohio River near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I generally camp at private RV parks and campgrounds such as KOA Kampgrounds or dry camp with E Clampus Vitus (an historical drinking society or a drinking historical society, take your pick) in BLM areas. Having alcoholic beverages have never been an issue.

RV Travel has posted that some state parks have different rules pertaining to alcoholic beverages. It depends upon the state. I can only think of four state parks I've camped in: Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Navajo Lake State Park and Fort Massac State Park (near Metropolis, Illinois). Having alcoholic beverages in any of them was never an issue, especially at the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park that is nestled among the wineries.

The RV Travel article begins with:

Many RVers enjoy camping in local state parks. However, when it comes to bringing alcohol to state parks, the rules can vary widely. Much depends on the state and the specific park you’re visiting.

In general

Generally, state parks across the U.S. allow some form of alcohol, but with specific restrictions in place. Here’s an overview of what to expect, along with some essential guidelines to keep your outdoor experience enjoyable and respectful to both nature and other visitors.

 To read more, go here.

RV Laws You Should Know

Above, camping at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past few years, I have traveled in my motorhome into several states. During these inter-state travels, I have not encountered any problems concerning RV-specific laws. That doesn't mean they don't exist.

RV Life has posted an article on 11 RV laws that we RVers should be aware of. 

They begin it with:

When it comes to the law, what you don’t know can get you into a heap trouble. Ignorance is no excuse. With that being said, RV-related laws tend to vary greatly from state to state. So much so that it can be hard to keep up with exactly what the law is sometimes, especially as we travel through multiple states. It’s pretty safe to say that no RV traveler wants to unwittingly attract the attention of police or highway patrol officers. But not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of state road laws that are commonly broken by RVers.

To read what those laws are, go here.

Cross-Country RV Trips A Thing of The Past?

Above, Fort Massac State Park Campground in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The closest thing to a cross-country RV trip was when I drove from California to Metropolis, Illinois to attend Noel Neill's (Lois Lane of the Adventures of Superman) memorial service.

It was quite an adventure for me as I got to see many states and attractions (Abraham Lincoln's home, tomb and Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois for example). The trip lasted three weeks.

A new article in RV Travel questions whether or not cross-country RV travel is becoming a thing of the past due to fuel and campground costs.

They start it with:

I have long dreamed of the day my wife and I could depart on a cross-country RV trip. Now that we are retired and able to travel more, I question if cross-country RV trips are still viable, or will remain just a dream.

Cross-country RV trips have long been a beloved way for individuals and families to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of a country. The freedom of the open road, the comfort of a home on wheels, and the sense of adventure have drawn countless enthusiasts to embark on these journeys. However, the future of cross-country RV trips is facing challenges that may make them a thing of the past. In this article, we will delve into the changing dynamics of cross-country RV travel and explore how escalating fuel expenses, rising campground fees and the erosion of spontaneity are reshaping this cherished tradition. 

To read more, go here. 

Fall Is Better — For Travel

Above, camping at Fort Massac in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Is fall a better time to travel?

That question arises every so often. I actually prefer autumn to summer. There are a number of benefits to traveling in the fall. The primary one for me is less crowds.

Albuquerque station KOAT has posted an article with the position that fall is better.

They begin it with:

Sure, an escape to the beach or cooler mountain air or the arctic air-conditioning of a museum comes not a moment too soon when summer really starts to heat up.

But if you can wait until the season winds down, the rewards can be significant – both in terms of savings and experience. And after the summer the world has had – with record heat, uncomfortably warm ocean water, devastating wildfires, epic crowds and high prices – the relative calm of traveling in September and October will be right on time for many travelers.

Is fall a better time to travel than summer?

To read more, go here. 

Chapman College and the Super Museum

Above, the Kirk Alyn autograph I obtained at Chapman College in the 1980s. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before Jim Hambrick opened the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois, in 1993, he had a "traveling Superman exhibit" where he would display some items in his vast Superman collection at different venues. According to Roadside America, Hambrick started collecting Superman memorabilia in 1959. 

By chance, I saw a blurb in a newspaper (this was around 1984, give or take, and before the Internet) that said a collection of Superman memorabilia would be shown at Chapman College (now Chapman University) in Orange County, California.

Above, the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I had nothing going on at the time, I headed down to Chapman College to check it out. As reported, Hambrick had some interesting Superman memorabilia, including a moth-eaten (in some spots) wool Superman color costume worn by George Reeves.

At the exhibit, the first screen Superman, Kirk Alyn was there to meet fans and sign autographs. Alyn had a cameo appearance (with the first screen Lois Lane, Noel Neill) in the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie. I obtained a photo of him as Superman and had him autograph it for me. 

Above, a George Reeves color Superman costume on
display at the Super Museum Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2016, I went to Metropolis, Illinois, touted as the "Hometown of Superman" to attend the memorial service for Noel Neill. I stayed at Fort Massac State Park campground, which is on the outskirts of town on the Ohio River. 

While in Metropolis, I toured the Super Museum Hambrick opened at Superman Square, which features a giant statue of the Man of Steel. It is an impressive museum and one that is worth a trek to. It has just about every Superman relic and collectible one could image along with Supergirl and others. 

Above, yours truly with the Superman statue in Superman Square in Metropolis, Illinois.

If anyone is even remotely interested in Superman or of television, movie or comic book history, the Super Museum is a great place to visit. It also has a gift shop.

The official website for the Super Museum is accessible by going here.

Advantages of RV Travel

Above, Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thinking about "diving into" the RV lifestyle? 

There's a few things to consider before making a purchase. Renting an RV first may help in the decision-making process.

There are advantages to RV traveling and the Miami County Republic has them listed.

They begin with:

Individuals who are approaching retirement or those who already have said goodbye to the working world may find they are ready to make some life changes. Travel is something many older adults enjoy when they have much more free time to see the sights.

Recreational vehicles are great ways for people to get out and about. An RV is more than just a way to get around; for many people it becomes a lifestyle. According to the RV Industry Association, about 10 million American households own RVs.

There have been more RVs on the road in recent years, and there are now more facilities to accommodate them. RVIA says there are now roughly 18,000 campgrounds around the country, and certain facilities are pushing to improve and upgrade campgrounds in national parks and on federal lands.

Individuals considering if the RV lifestyle is for them can refer to this list of RVing benefits.

To see the list, go here. 

Autumn Camping

Above, The Beast at Fort Massac State Park outside of Metropolis, Illinois in November 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that summer is over, the autumn season is a good time to avoid crowds and head to the great outdoors and camp.

Mind you, some campgrounds have been closed due to the pandemic in some states. But, for the most part, getting a campsite is easier.

RV Life provides five reasons why people should take a camping trip during the fall months.

They begin with:

Summer is behind us but that’s no reason to winterize your RV. These five reasons why fall camping is awesome explain why you need to hit the road before the darkest days of winter begin.

To see what they are, go here.