RV Window Screens

You probably don’t even give it a thought, but your RV window screens are your first defense against dirt, dust and other particulates floating around in the air. Keeping them clean has two important purposes: First, the air flow through the open windows will be more efficient. Second, you’ll breath better.

Now consider how much air moves through those screens. RVers tend to use their roof exhaust fans to vent out the warm air, and in order for air (and the heat and moisture it holds) to escape, air has to be coming into the rig…through the screens. That constant cycle of of airflow causes the screens to load up with dust, pollen and other things floating around in the air quicker than if you’re using the air conditioning. If you live in areas where there are a lot of Cottonwood trees, you know how quickly it can stick to window screens.

Apps for RVers

Not too long ago, trip planning would have required paper maps, cumbersome, heavy campground directories, and lots of phone calls. These days we can get the job done with a few reliable smartphone apps for RVers. We get asked about this frequently, so I’ve compiled a list of the apps we use and why we use them. You’ll notice that not all of them are exclusively for the RVer, but all of them make the cut because we find them particularly useful in our full-time RV lifestyle.

2014 Year in Review

Oh, what a year it’s been! 2014 began with us at Tropic Winds RV Resort in Harlingen, TX. 17 states and 7,000 (14,000 since we started this journey) miles later, we’re closing out the year at Thousand Trails Orlando RV Resort in central Florida. In between, we’ve been as far north as Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and as far northeast as Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Tug Boats tied up to the pier in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Without a doubt, we live in a beautiful country. I’m drawn to mountains and ocean, especially to areas more rural and rustic. We saw plenty of each this year, as our route down Highway 81 followed the mountains from New England to Alabama. We camped near the beach at Fort Munroe while we worked the IPMS National Convention in Hampton, Virginia in early August, and were treated to the most spectacular sunrises over the water. Then in October, we were able to play in the waves in the Gulf of Mexico at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Most recently, we spent a magical afternoon on the beach at Sand Key State Park, near Clearwater Beach, Florida – with warm sand between our toes, bird watching, sea shell collecting, and this time a spectacular sunset over the Gulf.

Sunset, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Charcoal Storage – Keep Your Powder Dry

For almost the first year of our RV travels we had only a portable gas grill along. That was fine for grilling hamburgers, brats, or steaks, but we missed the capabilities of our Weber kettle grill. When we returned to our storage unit last summer, the first item pulled out was our charcoal grill. Sure, it takes up a lot more space than the tiny portable gas grill, but to us, it’s worth it. We grill whole chickens, turkey, the occasional steak, and typically fill up most of the surface with all the trimmings. There’s no easier way to prepare an impromptu meal for ourselves or guests, especially without heating up the kitchen. We used it for Thanksgiving and we’ll use it again for Christmas dinner with friends.

Scale Modeling – A Hobby Suitable For RVing

Some of you might wonder what you’re going to do during those times when it’s pouring rain, there’s nothing on television, the other half is engrossed in some interest of their own and you find yourself bored. Yeah, there will be times when RVing when you will experience some boredom.  Well, a hobby that I’ve been associated with since I was a kid is scale modeling. Building plastic scale models has been a huge part of my life. It’s not only been a way to relax, but also has led to a source of self-employment in one way or another for us both over the past decade or two.