RFK Jr. and Coca-Cola

One of things HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is proposing is removing high fructose corn syrup from soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola.

🚨 Would you support RFK Jr. mandating Coca-Cola to remove high-fructose corn syrup just like they do in Europe? 🇺🇸🥤

YES or NO? 👇 pic.twitter.com/QDdoxf6yor

— Tom Homan 🇺🇸 News (Commentary) (@HomanNews) March 29, 2025

Some people are squeaking over this proposal. They act like Coke has always has high fructose corn syrup.

Actually, it wasn't until 1984 that Coke replaced cane sugar with the corn syrup.

From Reader's Digest:

Ready for a shock? Coca-Cola only stopped using real cane sugar in the U.S. in 1984. I had always assumed this happened in, like, 1950. Or maybe after Coca-Cola stopped putting actual cocaine in the formula (which was really a thing, but they took that out in 1903, thank heavens). But Coke didn’t swap out cane sugar for high-fructose corn syrup in the U.S. until the mid-1980s. Yep. Ronald Reagan was president. Madonna was in her “Like a Virgin” phase. And quietly, in factories across America, corn syrup was sneaking into your soda. What a time to be alive!

Notice that Mexican Coca-Cola tastes different, and better, than U.S. Coke? It is because they still use cane sugar. 

Reader's Digest: How To Budget For A Road Trip

Above, The Beast at a turnout after crossing Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Road trips are making a big comeback in these pandemic days. 

Reader's Digest has an article on "How To Budget For A Road Trip" with plenty of good advice.

They begin it with:

Road trips don't have to be expensive if you follow these budgeting tips and tools.

Americans are rediscovering the joys of a classic road trip in droves, with 59 percent of families in a recent VRBO survey saying they’re planning to get behind the wheel on vacation in the near future. Road trips not only let you slow down, see the scenery, and explore new areas, but they also offer a respite from pricey airline tickets and all the costs associated with a flying vacation, including car rentals, airport shuttles, and long term parking.

However, you do need to plan ahead to be able to create a road trip budget whether you’re traversing the country in a Route 66 road trip or traveling around Big Sur so you can keep costs low. Some things to keep in mind include fuel prices, vacation rentals, RV and camping site fees, food costs, and admission tickets. Here’s everything you need to figure out how much your road trip will cost and create your road trip budget.

To read more, go here. 

Reader's Digest Guide To A Utah Road Trip

Above, Zion National Park's Checkerboard Mesa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since 1969, I've made many road trips to the state of Utah, usually to relax at Zion or Bryce Canyon National Parks. In the early days, not too many people drove to Utah, so there weren't crowds to have to contend with.

Since then, hordes of people flock to Utah's national parks, with Zion being the most crowded.

However, if one is able to go there during the off-season, that would be even better for enjoying the parks.

Reader's Digest has posted a guide to a Utah road trip that should come in handy for planning.

It begins with:

If you’re looking for a vacation unlike any other where you can get into the outdoors, see dramatic landscapes that seem like they are from another planet, and check five (or more!) of the U.S. National Parks off of your bucket list, consider a Utah road trip. This great Western state is often overlooked but offers some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll find in the United States.

To read more, go here.

Etiquette Rules of RV Camping

Above, The Beast at the Cedar City (Utah) KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To me, there's nothing more irritating than having people walk through my campsite or someone's bratty kids running around making all kinds of racket.

Nobody's perfect, but there are some rules of etiquette that people should follow when camping in a RV or even a tent.

Reader's Digest has an article of "Unspoken Etiquette Rules of RV Camping". Even though summer camping season is months away, now is a good time to read through the rules.

They begin with:

RV camping in the great outdoors is a great way to spend time with your family. Whether you are in a fifth-wheel, travel trailer, or Class C motorhome, knowing these unspoken etiquette rules of RV camping will make your next adventure go smoothly for your family and your campground neighbors.

To read them, go here.

Reader's Digest: Signs You're Shortening The Life of Your RV

Above, The Beast at the Holbrook, Arizona KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Having a RV is something that responsible owners should take care of for trouble-free travel and extending the life of the vehicle.

Some people don't do what's necessary, which may shorten the life of the RV.

Reader's Digest has an article with things people should do.

They begin with:

Your RV is supposed to be your refuge on vacation—literally, your home away from home when you’re heading to the best RV parks around the country or wherever else. But when something goes wrong, that vacation might be ruined, along with the memories of the trip. Of course, all RV owners think they’re doing the right thing, but an RV is a complicated system. After all, it has plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems like your home, along with an engine, transmission, and tires like your car. All of these systems work together to make the RV work, but neglect or abuse can compound into a failure. Depending on the severity, this could simply make your trip miserable, or it could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Here are several ways you could be abusing your RV—and a few ways you can prevent problems before they happen.

To read more, go here.

The Best RV Parks In Every State

Above, The Beast at Deer Creek RV Park in Topeka, Kansas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to be a full-time RVer and plan to visit as many states as you can or plan on visiting just a few states during the summer, the website of Reader's Digest has a listing of the best RV parks in every state.

They begin with:

Park yourself and your vehicle at these best RV parks in every state for travelers who like to see the world from the comfort of their home on wheels, and you'll surely be a happy camper!

One of the RV parks mentioned, Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas, was given the nod for the state of Kansas. I stayed there two years ago and it is, indeed, a very fine RV park.

To see what the other best RV parks are, go here. 

12 Pet-Friendly National Parks

Above, Sierra in The Beast at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since getting The Beast in February 2015, I have been to several national parks with it. And, on trips to two of them, Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks, I brought along my cat Sierra. In fact, Sierra has already been to Yosemite National Park twice.

Although I don't have a dog, many of you who are reading this probably do and would like to bring it with you on vacation at a national park.

Fortunately, Reader's Digest has an article on 12 pet-friendly national parks where you can bring your dog.

It begins with:

Summer is the perfect time to explore the bounty of nature in America's incredible national park system with your whole family—including the dog. More than half of campers bring their furry family members along for their camping trips, according to the 2017 North American Camping Report. For dogs, and for families who love them, the great outdoors awaits!

Above, Sierra playing in a box at Yosemite's North Pines Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.