Have You Measured The Exact Height of Your RV?

Above, at camp at Ventura Beach RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel asked the question, "Have you measured to learn the exact height of your RV?:"

My answer, yes I did. My motorhome, including the roof air conditioner, is exactly 11 feet high. I keep a piece of Scotch tape with the measurement on the upper left corner of my windshield. 

I did that soon after I bought the RV. 

RV Travel has the question as a poll. 

They begin with:

Do you know the height of your RV? Well, what the owner’s manual and dealer told you is one thing, but do you really know its height? Have you actually measured it yourself to know its exact height?

Knowing your RV’s true height isn’t just a nice-to-know spec—it can be critical. Every year, RVers report incidents involving low-clearance bridges, overhangs, and even fast-food drive-thrus that didn’t go as planned. Sometimes the difference between making it safely under and causing major damage comes down to just an inch or two.

And, oh, boy, have we seen disasters…

To read more and answer the poll, go here. 

Essential RV Tools

Above, at Ventura Beach RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have had to make use of tools for minor problems such as tightening screws and other things. I keep a well-stocked tool box in my motorhome's storage compartment and a drill gun inside in a cabinet under the sink.

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on what essential tooks every RV owner should carry. Most on the list I have.

They begin with:

Over the years, my family and I have become seasoned travelers in our RVs, encountering a myriad of leaks, malfunctions, and other challenges. Fortunately, the need for professional repairs has been a rarity. We’ve found a reliable educator in ‘YouTube University,’ where a few instructional videos equip us with the knowledge needed to tackle most issues. Armed with our essential toolkit, we’ve successfully resolved these problems ourselves.

Through numerous repairs on our RV journeys, we’ve honed our understanding of the essential tools needed for life on the road. Here’s a curated list of indispensable tools for any RV adventure. Keep these in your storage bay, and you’ll be well-equipped to handle most repair challenges that come your way during your travels.

To read more, go here. 

Used RV Prices Suggest Buyer Optimism

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With sky-high gasoline and diesel prices at the pump, one would thing that would put a damper on RV sales, new and used ones.

Apparently, that is not the case as prices for used RVs suggest.

According to RV Travel:

War in Europe. Pump prices at all-time highs. Crowded campgrounds with reservations hard to come by. One might think these factors would tend to frighten potential RV buyers. But the latest report on used RV prices at auction seems to indicate buyers aren’t letting themselves be frightened. 

Spring drives buyers to dealers

According to BlackBook.com, a vehicle sales number crunching firm, February used auction sales were a mixed bag. “Spring has arrived in many parts of the country, and eager customers are beginning to flock to dealers’ showrooms,” writes Eric Lawrence, the Principal Automotive Analyst for Specialty Vehicles. “Motorhome values bounced back this month after three months of declines, but towables gave back some of the gains they notched last month.”

 To read the full article, go here.

Best RV Upgrades

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether a RV is new or a few years old, upgrading it will likely improve one's enjoyment of taking a trip and making some issues disappear.

I am considering one upgrade that a new Do It Yourself RV article says is one of the top ten upgrades every camper needs, which is a steering stabilizer. Since I am in a semi-arid area and travel frequently in desert areas with high winds, a steering stabilizer is something I am looking into for The Beast. Battling high crosswinds in a RV is not my idea of fun.

They begin their article with:

New RVs are coming packed with more and more tech and valuable appliances. But whether your RV is brand new or has some miles under its wheels, there is always room for RV upgrades.

Below are some RV upgrades that every RVer should think about adding to their RV. These RV upgrades will not only make your RV adventures easier and possibly more fun, but some will also make your RV safer.

To read the article, go here. 

Winnebago Earnings: RV Demand Hits a Higher Gear

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Winnebago Industries had a great year with the upsurge in sales following the start of the pandemic. People are opting to hit the road rather than being confined inside planes and cruises.

Since I own a Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R motorhome ("The Beast"), I like to monitor how the company is doing.

The Motley Fool has an article on just how Winnebago Industries did in 2020 and their prospects for 2021.

They start with:

Winnebago (NYSE:WGO) shareholders had good reasons to look forward to the company's fiscal 2021 first-quarter results in late December. The RV giant raced back to sales growth in the prior period as dealerships restocked following COVID-19-related shutdowns. Heavy traffic at these locations convinced dealers to ramp up their ordering, too, as consumers redirected cash toward RVs while airplane travel demand was depressed.

Winnebago's Q1 report this week confirmed that positive narrative by revealing surging sales volumes in the towable and motorhome divisions. Record backlog suggests even faster growth ahead for the RV market share leader.

Let's take a closer look.

To read more, go here. 

Ventura Beach RV Resort Flooded...Again

Above, the Ventura Beach RV Resort during better times in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, it's happened before (most recently two years ago) and now it has happened again.

The Ventura Beach RV Resort, my favorite RV park in Southern California, got flooded by the nearby Ventura River.

According to KTLA:

An RV park in Ventura was flooded Thursday morning after the Ventura River rose 10 feet in three hours as heavy rain drenched the area, according to the National Weather Service. 

The Ventura River remained just above flood stage at 10 a.m., sending water into nearby Ventura Beach RV Park near the 101 Freeway, the weather service tweeted. Photos showed several vehicles trapped in floodwaters, which inundated the area. 

By then, water levels peaked and were beginning to drop. The weather service canceled its flood warning  in the early afternoon after the river's water levels at Foster Park went below flood stage.

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The flooding the RV park sustained two years ago was much worse. Because of its close proximity to the Ventura River, it is bound to happen again.

To read more, go here. 

Message From Ventura Beach RV Resort

CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH US AT  VENTURA BEACH RV RESORT! Dear Valued Guests,  Ventura Beach RV Resort has finally re-opened after many months of working around the clock to get the resort back up and running. If you didn't know, we experienced a massive flood back in February of this year, that swept RV's out into the ocean. It destroyed our store, some landscaping, damaged the pool, recreation room, office and much more. Nevertheless, our team has been working around the clock to welcome you back! We thank you in advance for your patience as we work through sorting each reservation out and taking care of refunds and reservation transfers.  For those seeking new reservations for the summer, we highly suggest you book now as we are filling up fast.  Should you have any questions please feel free to reach us at: (805) 643-9137 We look forward to seeing you again here at Ventura Beach RV Resort! FREE Pancake Breakfast is Back! Enjoy our famous FREE pancake breakfast every  Sunday morning with  your resort pass! Beach Cruiser Rentals  Don't have a bike? No worries! We have a fleet of beach cruisers and other fun bike rentals for you to enjoy! Live Entertainment Kick back and relax to  LIVE MUSIC every  Saturday night this summer! New Pool! Take a refreshing splash  in our NEWLY LINED pool.   The kids will love at!

Ventura Beach RV Resort, 800 West Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001

Ventura Beach RV Resort Back In Business

Above, Ventura Beach RV Resort last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last weekend (Fourth of July weekend), Ventura Beach RV Resort re-opened after several months of repair and clean-up work due to a river flood from heavy rains back in February.

According to their Facebook page:

Welcome guests to our grand opening weekend! We hope you are settling in at #VenturaBeachRVResort. For those seeking to join us this weekend, we still have some tent sites available, so call the #resort at 805-643-9137 to secure your tent site and take part in all the weekend activities!

I, for one, am glad they're back open again. I'll be making some reservations for some stays before I head up to Idaho next month for the eclipse.

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For access their website, go here. 

One Year Ago...

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe how fast this past year went by.

It was one year ago today that I went to Ventura Beach RV Resort for some badly-needed R & R after days of turmoil. Instead of re-capping what went on, just go here.

I liked the park so much that I declared it my getaway "Camp David" whenever I just wanted to get away from it all. I've been back several more times.

Above, the playground and propane tank. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've been "itching" to head back there, but, unfortunately, the nearby Ventura River overflowed its banks during a storm in February and the owners have been working to get the RV park back in shape in time for its re-opening on July 4th weekend.

They wrote on their website:

We are currently accepting reservations starting on June 30th (4th Of July weekend). Due to the flooding of the Ventura River on February 17, 2017, we will be closed until said date above (June 30th, 2017).  

Look for an announcement soon with additional details. 

We will be sending a notice out to those with currently booked reservation who will be impacted by this closure.  

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to re-open as quickly as possible.

As soon as they have re-opened, I'll be heading over there.

Here's my review of Ventura Beach RV Resort from last year.

RV Campgrounds, Parks and Resorts

Above, Ventura Beach RV Resort in Ventura, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Have you ever wondered what's the difference between a RV campground, RV park and RV resort?

Generally, there's a difference between the three, but there are some where the difference is much more subtle.

Fortunately, Do It Yourself RV has an article that explains the differences between them.

They start with:

Planning your RV vacation is easier if you understand the subtle differences between an RV campground, an RV park and an RV resort. 

Although the differences may vary from place to place and even from one RVer to another, if you have a general idea of what’s in store for you at each destination you can keep your expectations in check and ultimately have a much better time during your stay. 

TIP: Keep in mind that some campground, RV park and RV resort operators don’t understand the general differences between facilities. For example, some mistakenly believe they operate a resort when in reality it’s closer to a bare bones campground!

To read more, go here. 

Ventura Beach RV Resort Closed Due To Flooding

Above, The Beast at Ventura Beach RV Resort last June. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh, Drat! 

Until I received today an email from Ventura Beach RV Resort, I didn't know that they've been closed down since a flood hit the park during the big rainstorm of February 17.

I checked their website and this is what they posted:

We will be accepting Reservations for the 4th of July weekend. Due to the flooding of the Ventura River on February 17, 2017, we will be closed for approximately two months for clean-up, repair, and remodeling.  

Look for an announcement soon with additional details. 

We will be sending a notice out to those with currently booked reservation who will be impacted by this closure.  

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to re-open as quickly as possible.

I was thinking about making some weekend reservations and their email was rather, uh, timely.

They may have a "soft opening" before July 4 according to their email.

To go to their website, go here.

2016 Year In Review

Above, at the unveiling party in October with Asya and Dawn.

While 2015 was a good year for me, 2016 (with some exceptions) was the exact opposite.

I have blogged about the turmoil that began in the spring at great length and I don't wish to recount it all again. Let's just say that the person to whom I was engaged to was not the person she presented herself to be and I found it necessary to end everything. 'nuff said!

The year began on a sad note as my Aunt Rose passed away on January 5 after a long illness. The only comfort in that is she is no longer suffering.

Above, a cloud-shrouded Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In February, a weekend trip down to San Diego was made to take care of a product recall on different models of Winnebago RVs. While there, we stayed at Campland On The Bay. I have heard about the Mission Bay campground since the early 1990s, but this was the first time staying there. It was a disappointment. It was overpriced (over $100/night) for what was essentially a parking lot with hook-ups and a table. After The Beast was taken care of, an enjoyable day was had at Sea World.

Above, enjoying cigars at Tehachapi Loop. 

In April, Sierra and I went to Yosemite National Park and camped in Yosemite Valley at the North Pines Campground. It was enjoyable, even though it was rainy at times.

Also in April, I attended my first clamp-out with Platrix No. 2, E Clampus Vitus at the Tehachapi Loop since 2007. It was great to be active in ECV again. I also attended the Platrix fall clamp-out at Lake Cachuma in October. I had a great time at both.

More camping was done in May and June as I discovered a nice campground/RV resort in Ventura at the Ventura Beach RV Resort. I camped there three times, one of which was with my former roomie Jessica in July.

Above, the coastline of the Big Island of Hawaii during our helicopter tour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also in May, I went to Hawaii for the first time. The highlights for me were the tour of Pearl Harbor and a helicopter tour of Kilauea Volcano. The trip turned out to be more trouble than it was worth as it was the "last hurrah" of my relationship with Denise Santos and it also led to a Small Claims lawsuit (that I won) against Jacquese Scott, who tried to stiff me for over $800 that she owed for her portion of the trip. I wouldn't mind going there again, but with better company.

Above, celebrating a Small Claims Court victory at the Odyssey Restaurant in August.

In June, I met Asya, an artist from St. Petersburg, Russia at an art store in Sherman Oaks that sells cartoon cels. I commissioned her to paint a portrait of me. It was something I always wanted to do, to see how an artist would interpret me in oils. I liked the result and we held an unveiling party at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills in October.

Above, Clint Hill discusses the JFK assassination at Book Passage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also in June, I went solo to Marin County in the the San Francisco Bay Area for a talk and book signing by former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill. I luckily found a RV park within walking distance to Book Passage, where the event was being held. I also stayed about half-way in both directions at the Los Banos KOA.

Above, at Devil's Postpile National Monument during the Owens Valley trip.

In July, Sierra and I headed up the Owens Valley and visited the Manzanar Relocation Camp, Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park's Tioga Pass. That was an enjoyable trip.

August was relatively quiet, except for a legal hassle in Chatsworth Superior Court that was totally unnecessary and was dismissed. But the month was salvaged as Dawn Brown and I began going out on Sunday nights (due to her work schedule), which continues to this day.

Above, on Hot Bench in September.

Speaking of legal stuff. In August, I filed another Small Claims lawsuit (apparently, evil comes in pairs) and served it on Denise Santos while attending to the Chatsworth Court matter. The producers of the court-tv show, Hot Bench wanted it, so we went on in early September. I won some, and lost some on the show, but it ended up pretty much a "wash" as I also received an appearance fee. I may have fared better in regular Small Claims Court, but it would probably have taken years to collect. By going on Hot Bench, I received my case award almost right away and it is over and done with, so I don't have to deal with Denise anymore.

As I mentioned previously, the portrait painting unveiling party was held in October at the Odyssey Restaurant. I invited family and friends and Asya invited people in the art world she knows (for some networking). We had a good time. It was relaxed with plenty of food and drink. I met Mitch Geriminsky's new wife, Marla for the first time at the party. Everyone who attended had a good time.

Above, with The Mittens in the background in Monument Valley.

At the end of October, I took the longest road trip of my life (three weeks). I was planning to go to Memphis, Tennessee next year, but the celebration of life service for actress Noel Neill (who died in July) was going to be held in Metropolis, Illinois ("The Home of Superman"). Since Memphis is about three hours away from Metropolis, I decided to go and make it a vacation trip.

During the three-week trip, I visited Meteor Crater in Arizona; the Noel Neill "Lois Lane" statue and Super Museum in Metropolis: Graceland and Sun Studio in Memphis; the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln Home and Lincoln tomb in Springfield, Illinois; I met with Kansas State Senator Greg Smith at the Kansas State Capitol Building in Topeka, Kansas; the Eisenhower Center in Abilene, Kansas; Durango, Colorado (the trains weren't running at the time); Monument Valley in Arizona and Utah; and Grand Canyon National Park. With the exception of a mishap that made me buy two tires in St. Louis, Missouri, it was a good trip. I watched the election returns while in the Springfield, Illinois area. What better way to see a big election win for the GOP than being in the "Land of Lincoln"?

Above, Thanksgiving with my Aunt Gloria and cousin Maria.

Thanksgiving was spent a few days after I returned home from the trip at my cousin's in Wildomar, California and will be there for Christmas Eve.

Hopefully, next year will be a better one. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tips For Roadtrips With Pets

Above, Sierra about to make use of her scratcher in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My cat Sierra turned one last month, but already she has racked up some travel miles in The Beast. She's already been to Yosemite National Park twice.

Before leaving home, I put on her harness and leash and then transport her to the RV in a carry box from her vet. Then, once inside, I let her loose.

She is still skittish about traveling at first, but after about an hour or two, she settles down and finds herself a place to nap as we're driving usually on top of my bed in back of the RV or the cabover bed. Once we reach a destination, she becomes more active and wanders around the RV and peers out the windows.

Above, Sierra on the cabover bed in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Dogs are a little more easier to travel with, particularly if they are used to riding around. We generally brought my former roommate's chihuahua Lola with us whenever we did errands. She was perfectly content to look out the windows. The advantage of having a cat is that one doesn't have to take them for walks every few hours. Lola and Sierra got along just fine during our little trek to Ventura Beach RV Resort two months ago.

Long trips may be a different story for dogs and cats. But Condé Nast Travel has some tips for those who plan to bring their fur babies along.

They begin with:

You don’t realize just how small your car is until you’re road tripping across America for 10 months with a pyramid of suitcases, a boyfriend, that boyfriend’s Imelda Marcos-level shoe collection, and two dogs. Lucky for us, our dogs are Chihuahuas. At 9 and 4 pounds respectively (Hi, Sophie! Hi, Mia!), they take up precious little room—but that doesn’t mean their needs aren’t forever being considered as we zigzag across the country. Traveling with animals requires considerable pre-planning and lots of creative troubleshooting. It isn’t always fun or easy, but having our girls on the road with us is like bringing along a little piece of home. Here’s what we’ve learned so far—and what you should consider before hitting the highways with your furriest in tow.

An additional tip (one that's not mentioned in the article): bring copies of your pet's veterinary records. They may have to go to an emergency clinic or they may be needed to be presented at a border checkpoint.

To read more, go here.

July Better Than June

Above, The Beast at the Manzanar visitor center parking lot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Where the heck is this year going? It seems almost recently that we were in January. Now we're in August.

While the first half of the year was rather crappy (with some exceptions), at least the second half started out better. At least July was a better month than June was.

July began with my cousin's annual 4th of July (held on July 2) bash down in Wildomar, California. It was great to see family members in a festive mood.

Above, a meadow in Devil's Postpile National Monument. Photo by Armnd Vaquer.

Following that, Jes and I went to the Ventura Beach RV Resort for a few days of relaxation. She had never camped in an RV before and she enjoyed it.

After this, I headed up the Owens Valley in the Eastern Sierra with my cat Sierra and visited places that I hadn't been to before such as Manzanar Relocation Camp, Devil's Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes and Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park. I am happy that I'm getting plenty of use out of The Beast.

Above, at Japantown in West Los Angeles. Photo by Anastasia Lipovetskaya.

I commissioned a portrait in July and it was only completed a few days ago. I am working on holding an "unveiling party" to be held in the not-too-distant-future.

I bought DVD sets of Dallas and finished watching Seasons One through Three. Yesterday, I picked up Season Four (the "Who shot J.R.?" storyline) and now in the middle of side one of disc one. It is fun watching my onetime favorite television show after all these years, especially the insults J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) threw at people ("Sue Ellen, you're a drunk, a tramp, and an unfit mother.") Classic!

That reminds me. There's still some legal matters to attend to this month, but I feel confident that I will prevail in them. Most, if not all, were forced by the actions of a couple of female jackasses. There's not much to do except to deal with them and move on.

July ended with an enjoyable dinner at Maria's Italian Kitchen in Encino with Dawn. We'll see how August shapes up.