Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show
Find date, hour and ticket information for The Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors show, as well as exhibits and attractions to be sure to see.

Planning a Safe RV Trip
RV vacations are enjoyable and family-friendly fun; use these tips to ensure everyone’s safety on the road and at camp.

What They Don’t Tell You About Camping
So you’re ready for your first camping trip. You’ve gone through your checklist, and everything is accounted for. You’ve practiced setting up your tent, and you’ve become familiar with using the rest of your camping gear. The cooler is packed with food and drinks, and your first aid kit is stocked. Everything is accounted for, and you’re ready to go. If only it were that simple. There are lots of things that we can’t predict when we go camping, but there’s no reason why we can’t be prepared for uncertain circumstances. What they don’t tell you about camping need not come as a surprise. The first time you go camping, be prepared.Why does camping seem like work?Camping has its share of chores, but it also has its rewards. First you have to pick out a level campsite. Then you have to unpack all your gear, clear a tent site, set up the tent, make your bed, start a fire, cook a meal, and clean up after yourself.Sounds like the same routine you might follow at home, so it can’t be that much work. A few of the rewards include having a picnic, communing with nature, and sleeping under the stars.What can I do about the bugs?If you’re outdoors, there are going to be bugs. Some are nasty and some are not, but there is plenty you can do to keep them from bothering you.First and foremost keep a clean campsite. Bees are attracted to soda cans, and ants are attracted to food scraps. Gather trash and dispose of it daily, don’t eat in your tent, and don’t leave food sitting out.Flying insects are attracted to fragrances. Don’t wear makeup or cologne when camping, and use unscented deodorant.Bright lights attract mosquitoes, gnats, and noseeums. When you use a lantern, set it away from the sitting area. To help repel biting flies and mosquitoes, use an appropriate insect repellant. Citronella candles help too. Why is everything wet in the morning?It didn’t rain, but everything is soaked. That’s because dew invaded the campsite. Warm weather with high humidity are ideal conditions for morning dew. As objects radiate heat during the night they become cool enough to drop below the dew point and cause water to evaporate on the surfaces of objects close to the ground. Dew is a fact of nature and it’s unavoidable. Before retiring for the night, be sure to take any clothes down off the clothes line, put a tarp over things you don’t want wet, or put them in the car for the night. Where can I get more ice?This is a question you need to ask when you first arrive at the campground. Summertime heat and frequent use of your cooler can cause ice to melt pretty fast. Don’t let all your ice melt without knowing where to get more. Some campgrounds sell ice, but sometimes the closest store is not so close. How should I dispose of waste?It’s amazing how much trash can build up at the campsite. Be sure to take along some plastic garbage bags. Don’t burn trash in the campfire, and don’t clean fish at the campsite. Dispose of trash daily in the campground’s designated disposal area. Why can’t I get a good night’s sleep?A good night’s sleep can be difficult when not sleeping in the comfort of your bed. Many new campers make the mistake of not getting a sleeping pad. Even in warm weather, the temperature difference between the ground and our bodies can get quite chilly. Sleeping pads are relatively cheap and they add a layer of insulation between you and the ground. They also add some cushioning, which helps make sleeping outdoors more comfortable. What got into the cooler last night?Don’t wake up to your food missing or scattered all over the campsite. Depending on where you camp, there could be various critters that live in the vicinity of the campground. If there’s the possibility that you have campground neighbors like skunks, raccoons, squirrels, ravens, crows, or seagulls, to name a few, then you better be prepared. Such animals frequent campgrounds for their food source. Never leave food unprotected. Secure your coolers at night, and put dry foods in your car. Why can’t I use wood around the campsite to build a campfire?This downed timber is essential to replenishing the nutrients in the ground for the other plants. If everyone who went camping stripped wood from the forest for their campfire, there would soon be no forest. What does it mean when a campground has quiet hours?Campgrounds usually designate quiet hours so that campers can enjoy a good night’s sleep. Show respect for other campers and keep your talking to a whisper during quiet hours. If you’re an RVer, refrain from running your generator. Try to arrive at the campground early enough to set up camp before it gets dark.Why shouldn’t you choose a campsite next to the bathroom?This is a common mistake of new campers. Bathrooms are high traffic areas and have lots of lights. For a quieter night, choose a campsite away from bathrooms.In spite of all the discomforts and inconveniences that we may endure while camping, these outdoor experiences will be looked back upon as cherished memories. Article by David Sweet

Salem couple discuss post-Katrina help
They spent weeks in Mississippi with a faith-based group January 25, 2006Ben and Ina Sims have taken extensive trips in their motor home before, but none impacted them quite like their last.The Salem couple ventured to Mississippi for 6 1/2 weeks and volunteered for a faith-based relief agency that continues to provide aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina.”We could have put X number of dollars in, but who would we have given it to?” Ben Sims said. “We thought the best thing we could do was to go ourselves, then we’d know exactly where our funds were spent.”Ben managed a supply warehouse for the United Methodist Committee on Relief in the community of Wiggins.Ina sorted new and used clothing that came into the warehouse, which also distributed bottled water, food and cleaning supplies.”Anybody who needed them, we got them to them as fast as we could,” Ben said.The Sims, who are both in their 70s, also volunteered in the town of Lakeshore, which is about a mile from the gulf. They parked their motor home on the property where a Baptist church once stood before the hurricane struck.”It was heartwrenching,” Ben said. “There was much more devastation than we had imagined.”"You’d feel helpless,” Ina said, “because there was so much to do.”Their church back home, First United Methodist in downtown Salem, collected $774 one Sunday for them to buy blankets for victims. An Iowa man they met in Mississippi chipped in $500 when he heard what the Sims were doing.They were able to buy 183 blankets, which they handed out to residents of DeLisle.Ben Sims spent time in Mississippi in the early 1970s, while in the Air Force and stationed at Biloxi. It was shocking for him to see once familiar neighborhoods demolished.”It was difficult trying to remember what was in a location,” he said, “because there was nothing there.”During their stay — from Oct. 20 to Dec. 7 — they did witness signs of hope in the rebuilding process.”Things came back some while we were there,” Ina said. “Wal-Mart was built up again, and they did open one mall.”But there’s still a lot that needs to be done.”clynn@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6710

Retire Comfortably With RV Travel
Many people are choosing to retire early leaving years of adventures to be had – why not spend them in an RV?

Luxury Class A Travel RV Features
Find information on luxury motor coach manufacturers, standard features and options, as well as benefits of luxury RV parks.

Survey reveals RVers adjusting to economy

Announcing Crossword puzzles
RV News Daily now offering crossword puzzles. Introduced today is our new crossword puzzle area. Online and interactive. You can view our first creation here: http://www.rvnewsdaily.com/index.php?topic=Crosswords

Selecting RV Caravan Destinations
With a number of caravan companies offering endless destinations, it can be hard to choose just one. Here is a list of popular selections for travelers to consider.

[techtags: RVing, RV, RV Living, Lake Havasu RV Camping, Lake Havasu RV Park]

• Camping in Minnesota [/caption] The amount of people who enjoy camping is growing annually. There has been a big increase in families in recent years headed to the campground. This could likely be due to a sluggish economy that they have included camping in their vacation agenda. Some people like trying new places......
• 10 Ways to Avoid Bears When Camping I don't know if you have heard the news lately but there have been issues with bears across the USA and Canada. In Canada in particular, the bears have been quite the problem this summer in campgrounds. The reason for this is their lack of food. In many places......
• Dolphin Isle Marina, Fort Bragg, CA Dolphin Isle Marina is located in: Fort Bragg, CA Phone: 707.964.4113 Average Water Depth: The average water depth here is around 14 feet, but this is subject to change due to weather conditions. We recommend calling ahead to check the current levels before you arrive. Marine Standby Channel: Yes, the......
• Camping Heaters [/caption] Camping is likely one of nature's most loved activities because it is so exciting. Many claim that camping allows them to become one with nature as the camper completely removes himself from all of the luxuries that are offered today. Stepping away from your own element is all part......
• Castiac Lake, Castiac, CA Castiac Lake is located in Castiac, CA Phone: 661.257.4050 About the Lake: This is a beautiful lake that is a haven for boaters and fisherman. If you are looking for a great place to spend the weekend and catch a lot of fish, this is certainly one of the best......