KOA Kampgrounds Explained

Above, Los Banos, California KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On my recent RV trip to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, I stayed at a "no-frills" campground a block away from the Billy the Kid Museum.

The campground was so "no-frills" it didn't even have restrooms or showers. That's okay, I rarely use them anyway since my motorhome has a bathroom and shower. The cost to camp there was a mere $30/night. Not too shabby!

Generally, whenever I am on an RV trip, I usually stay at a KOA Kampground if there are any in the vicinity. Some are expensive, but I have accrued points through KOA and when I apply some, the price comes down. I stayed at Circle Pines KOA in Williams, Arizona last month.

RV Travel has posted an article asking if KOA Kampgrounds are good or bad or even worth the price. It also has a video where all this is discussed.

They begin with:

In the video below, Jason Epperson of RV Miles, one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video Awards, leads a discussion about KOA campgrounds.

With the astronomical prices of campgrounds these days, many are saying that KOA campgrounds are just no longer worth it. Jason discusses the pros and cons and, as always, gives us a lot to think about that we may or may not have considered before.

To see the video and read more, go here. 

Campgrounds Are Also Paying For Fuel Increases

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA in Northern California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inflation is hitting everyone everywhere. Utilities, food, fuel and other necessities are all being hit by inflation. That also includes campgrounds.

RV Travel has posted an opinion piece on how inflated fuel costs are hitting campgrounds.  

They begin it with:

Setting rates is going to be a tricky business for campground owners this summer.

I was talking last week with a campground owner who said he’d been contacted by more than one RVer this month who wanted to know if the owner would give them a “special lower rate” because of the increased cost of fuel.

No doubt the RVer’s cost of getting from home to the campground has gone up. Those eight-mile-a-gallon rigs make budgeting for fuel increases tricky. But expecting park owners to help soften the blow seems a bit … unseemly.

What you pay at the pump is just the tip of the spear when it comes to the true costs of fuel increases. Businesses – including campgrounds – are being hit from every direction with increased cost pressures, too.

When fuel prices rise, not only does the campground owner pay more to gas up his own vehicles (including lawnmowers, weed whackers and golf carts), they also pay more for everything they have delivered. When gas goes up, so do the costs of ice, groceries, propane, machinery, and all the services they may contract.

To read more, go here. 

California Bans Overnight Stays In Campgrounds

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This does not come as a surprise, but California Gov. "King" Gavin Newsom has banned overnight stays in campgrounds allegedly due to the rise in coronavirus cases.

According to RV Travel:

(December 3, 2020) — Californians will see sharp new limits on public gatherings and shopping under a new statewide order issued today by Gov. Gavin Newsom, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise at dramatic rates. RV parks and other campgrounds in five regions of the state will be prohibited from accommodating overnight guests. Campgrounds and RV parks may remain open for long-term stays and current residents are not being forced to leave.

For at least 21 days, the rules will limit many activities in areas facing critical care shortages that could last through the holidays. Eleven counties in Southern California and 12 counties in the Central Valley could be required to implement the new restrictions on Friday, based on current projections of the rising number of patients in intensive care units.

A region will have 48 hours to implement the new orders once triggered. “The bottom line is if we don’t act now, our hospital system will be overwhelmed,” Newsom explained.

To read more, go here. 

RVing In High Winds

Above, at the Los Banos (California) KOA, I experienced high winds overnight. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More than a few times I have experienced high wind conditions while camping in my motorhome. After a while, one gets used to the buffeting and rocking of the rig.

What's worse is driving an RV in high winds. I had such an experience last September while returning home from a E Clampus Vitus clamp-out in Arizona. High winds were the order of the day over 75% of the drive.

RV Live has an article with some tips on RVing in high winds.

They begin with:

Out of all the weather that we’ve experienced on the road, RVing in high winds is the most annoying. If you’re new to the lifestyle, it can also be terrifying. I used to think that high winds flip RVs all the time, but based on my experiences, that rarely happens. 

It seems like even the biggest, heaviest RVs might blow over during a bad wind storm. Our own Arctic Fox fifth wheel trailer is heavier than most, but in the early days living in ours, I wasn’t sure if we would survive the rocking, rolling and relentless wind pummeling in places like New Mexico and the Southern California desert. Clearly, we did, because I’m here to tell you about it. And this is what I do when we get caught RVing in high winds.

To read more, go here. 

June Is National Camping Month

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA in June 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Did you know that June is National Camping Month?

Well, it is and several companies are promoting it, such as REI, North Face, Basecamp Hospitality and others are urging people to get out into the great outdoors.

It doesn't matter if one has only a sleeping bag to sleep under the stars, a tent or even a RV, the idea is getting people out of the house and into nature, whether it is the mountains, the beach or even the desert.

As a friend would say, "Celebrate accordingly!"

Simple Tips To Get Into RV Travel

Above, The Beast at Los Banos KOA in Northern California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Think about getting into RV travel? 

If so, but need some tips on how to go about it, an article in the New York Times will be a help in getting there.

They begin with:

Recreational-vehicle travel is on the rise and not just with baby boomers. With the growth of peer-to-peer rental companies like RVShare and Outdoorsy, R.V. travel has become more accessible — and more appealing — to vacationers of varying ages and budgets. 

Over the last six months, Outdoorsy’s bookings have shot up more than 300 percent among global users, the company said, with half of those users under the age of 40. Similarly, Kampgrounds of America’s latest North American Camping Report noted millennials and Gen Xers now account for 70 percent of R.V. users. 

If you’ve never traveled by motor home or R.V., or thought it wasn’t for you, here are a few tips to set the wheels in motion.

To read more, go here. 

World's First KOA Kampground

Above, a typical KOA "A-frame" office and store building.
This one is at the Beaver, Utah KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the first RV I bought back in 1985 (a Starcraft pop-up trailer), I have camped at many KOA Kampgrounds over the years. Most recently (August), I stayed at the Cedar City KOA and the Brigham City KOA in Utah.

Above, The Beast at the West Entrance/Yellowstone KOA in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some claim that they are overpriced. Yes, some are and some aren't, but what I like about them is that they are generally reasonably consistent in what travelers can expect. And they do offer discounts. Like many things, some are better than others. Amenities and location are generally what dictates what each KOA charges.

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA (California). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has posted an article on the world's first KOA Kampground. It is located in Billings, Montana. I have not camped there (as yet), but found the article interesting.

It begins with:

Sitting between Rimrock and Sacrifice Cliff along the Yellowstone River in south-central Montana, Billings is the state’s largest city and home to the world’s first KOA campground. 

The Yellowstone River, the last fully untamed free-flowing river in the lower 48 states, meanders its way along the southern edge of Billings. 

Along its banks you will find the recognizable yellow teepee insignia of the KOA (Kampgrounds of America) brand campgrounds. Founded in 1962 by Dave Drum and a group of entrepreneurs who understood the need for people traveling across the country to have an inexpensive place to camp along the way, the Billings KOA soon became–and remains to this day–an icon in franchise campgrounds. 

With 500 locations across the U.S. and Canada, KOA still dominates the camping industry and boasts the most stringent inspection standards, including a 600-point annual inspection for all of their franchised campgrounds.

Above, The Beast at the Springfield KOA in Missouri. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

One Year Ago...

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos/I-5 KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One year ago today, I departed from the Los Banos/I-5 KOA that is located in Santa Nella, California after spending the night following the talks and book signing by former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin at Book Passage in Corte Madera on their book, Five Presidents. I stayed nearby at the Marin RV Park. I was on my return trip home.

Above, Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin at Book Passage the day before. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I arose early, as I recall, due to high winds that were buffeting the sides of The Beast. It was amusing that I was assigned the same campsite that I stayed at two nights prior, during the trip to the book signing. The KOA was a good midway stop between the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Above, the front of the Los Banos/I-5 KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few hours later, while stopped for breakfast at a Denny's Restaurant in Coalinga, the television monitor in the dining room had a news report on the mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It was reported that Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard, killed 49 people and wounded 58 others in a terrorist attack/hate crime inside Pulse, a gay nightclub. He was shot and killed by the Orlando Police.

It was a good trip and it was a good trial run for the Owens Valley trip the following month.

Lost Photos Found

Above, The Beast at Los Banos KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For months my SD card was rattling around inside of my phone. Somehow, without me knowing it, it popped out of its slot.

The only thing I noticed was that I lost a lot of storage capacity.

Two days ago, I went with Jes when she went to get a new phone. While there, I opened the back of my phone to see whereabouts my SD card goes. As soon as I opened the phone there it was just sitting there.

I took a look to see where it was supposed to go and found it. After sliding it into its slot, almost immediately many photo files popped back up. I thought those photo files were gone due from accidentally deleting them.

Here's some of the "long-lost" photos:

Above, The Beast at Reseda Automotive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Museum of Death in Hollywood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, inside Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly speaking on Godzilla locations in San Francisco. 

Above, The Beast at the Avenal-Coalinga Rest Area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Superman at Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Tokyo Skytree at dawn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Dodger Stadium. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

High Winds and RVs

Above, The Beast at Los Banos KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last June, I took a little trip to Marin County to attend a book signing and talk by former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill.

On the way up and on the way back, I stayed midway at the Los Banos KOA for an overnight rest stop. Both nights, high winds buffeted The Beast. Although the winds were nowhere any intensity that would or could overturn the RV, the thought did briefly occur to me. The winds made a lot of noise, making it hard to sleep.

This is more of a concern while driving in an area with strong crosswinds (the Mojave Desert is a prime example).

RV Life has an article on just this question: "Can High Winds Flip RVs? (Sometimes)"

This is more of a concern while driving in an area with strong cross-winds (the Mojave Desert is a prime example).

The article begins with:

Each time you drive down the highway your RV is battered by high winds. As that moving air meets the front of your RV, it creates a high pressure that’s turns it into a force. The intensity of that force is known as “wind load” and all RVs can withstand a certain amount of it. 

You need to do the math to calculate wind load on RVs, but you can drive in a straight line knowing that RV bodies can withstand head winds at highway speeds. Wind is more of a problem when it blows sideways against a vehicle in motion, which causes trailer sway. 

When RVs are stationary, cross-winds also wreak havoc but for a different reason. Sideways winds can destroy awnings, ruin slide-out toppers and toss patio furniture. 

To read more, go here.

Two Reviews Posted At RV Park Reviews

Above, The Beast at Marin RV Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My reviews of the Los Banos West I-5 KOA and the Marin RV Park have been posted at RV Park Reviews.

For the Marin RV Park, go here.

For the Los Banos KOA, go here.

Blowin' In The Wind

Above, the main building of the Los Banos KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Due to the gusty winds here in Los Banos, I've been up for the past two hours.

The winds are strong enough to shake The Beast. That, along with the noise from the blowing trees, woke me up.

I am trying to decide whether to pack up (won't have much to pack up) and head on the road to L.A. or wait a few hours for the winds to die down (if they even do). Driving an RV through cross-winds is not fun and it can be dangerous. I've seen many big rigs toppled over through the years from strong wind gusts. It is easier to drive through windy conditions at slower speeds, but it takes longer to get out of windy areas.

I was also considering dumping out the holding tanks, but the extra weight from them would be helpful in fighting the winds. So I won't.

I'll wait for more sunlight to determine to wait it out a little bit or not.

All's Ready

Above, the cover.

Everything's all ready for tomorrow's book event at Book Passage in Corte Madera

I just finished charging the battery to the big Canon camera, so it is good to go.

At 1:00 tomorrow, former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin will be speaking on their new book, Five Presidents. They will be signing copies while there. I already ordered a signed copy, but just in case I couldn't go, or not be able to get one for signature, I pre-ordered it.

I knew that Book Passage was close to the RV park I am staying at, but I found out today that it is virtually within walking distance. As I have a 12:00 check-out time at the RV park, I will drive The Beast over there.

Following the event, I will be heading back home with a stop overnight in Los Banos. I will be home Sunday.

Hill was the only secret service agent who sprung into action during the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. He was assigned to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and he got her back into the limousine after she climbed out to the trunk.

On To Marin County

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a good night's sleep (I always manage to sleep better in The Beast), I am ready to hit the road for Marin County for tomorrow's book event with former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill. I apparently feel asleep pretty fast.

About an hour after going to bed, I exchanged a few text messages with a girl I know (the phone jarred me awake). She apparently changed her phone number and couldn't find mine and asked a mutual acquaintance if she can give it to her. I said it was okay. I also sent her a message via Facebook and we reconnected. My last message to her was 11:20 and by 11:38, I must've been out cold as she asked, "Hello, u there?" with no response by me. We'll hang when I get back to L.A.

It appears that once word got out that I'm a "free agent" again, women are coming out of the woodwork. I can't complain about that!

Right now, I am waiting for the water heater to do its job so I can shower up.

I'll be heading up Interstate 5 to Interstate 580. I'll be crossing San Francisco Bay to get to Marin County.

So far, everything's been a relaxed state of affairs and enjoyable. 

Some Pictures At Los Banos W/ I-5 KOA

Here's some more pictures taken at the Los Banos W/ I-5 KOA:

Above, the main building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the pool area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the barbecue area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, campground view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another campground view. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly.

Above, aw, somebody left their doggie in the motorhome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Up The San Joaquin Valley

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is a very warm day in the San Joaquin Valley of California, where I am currently heading up to Marin County for the book signing event by former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill.

I am taking it easy heading up. I left around 5:30 this morning, only because I didn't want to mess with the morning rush hour.

Above, the Coalinga-Avenal Rest Area facilities. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I am not in any kind of hurry, I made a few stops. The first was for coffee and breakfast in Gorman. Next, it was for fuel somewhere near Buttonwillow on I-5. The next stop was at a rest area in the Coalinga-Avenal area.

I made it to my day's destination, the KOA Kampground in the Los Banos area. It was a good thing I got there when I did (around 11:30), I was starting to feel drowsy.

Above, The Beast at the RV and truck parking at the
 Coalinga-Avenal Rest Area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I will be heading the rest of the way to Marin County tomorrow morning and will be staying at a RV park in the area. The event with Clint Hill will be Saturday afternoon. I am looking forward to it. So all I'll have to drive tomorrow is 125 miles.

Oh, yes, I did manage to see one Donald Trump sign along the way. It read: "Another Farmer For Trump".

The Beast is performing splendidly!