National Geographic and Traveler Magazine asked experts like geographers and ecotourism gurus to evaluate 55 North American park destinations. The results are on the National Geographic website and are a little surprising. Maybe because the gateway cities (what you pass by on the way in) were part of the rating.

Urban sprawl has encroached upon some of the top parks in the U.S. like Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, while more serious issues face Everglades National Park/Big Cypress National Preserve. This quote is quite telling of Life in the USA.

“Of these 55 parks, only ten are Canadian, but eight of them score above average. Sixty percent make it into the top quarter of the scoring range, versus a paltry 22 percent for the U.S.

Obviously it helps to be northern. Parks with short seasons suffer less tourist trampling. All four surveyed Alaska parks did well, too. But there’s more to it. By law, Parks Canada must first protect the environment, whereas Congress demands the U.S. National Park Service protect nature while also promoting outdoor recreation, dual mandates that can conflict when too many park-lovers show up.”

If the link above does not take you to the correct article, please visit the Discover page at USAer where you will find it in PDF format.

An RV works as a lake house, fish camp, beach condo, break room, restaurant, TV lounge, and more. Wherever your are, you always have something to do. For those of us who have trouble thinking up a destination, take a look:

Cruise the back roads.
Park your RV at a day spa.
Tour Civil War battlefields.

Find all the lighthouses or windmills within 100 miles.
See the Marfa lights, the next comet or meteor shower.
Migrate north or south with the birds or bats.

Visit historical sites, caves or waterfalls in your area.
Watch a stock car race and make a weekend out of it.
Visit a spring training site for baseball or football.

Hit every golf course within 50 miltes.
Discover your own secret fishing spot.

Many RVers work from their RVs, so the RV does double duty as home and office. It can be very difficult having to take the office into the shop for maintenance. Some maintenance is necessary and may be scheduled in advance.

Most RV owners cannot do all that must be done. I, for one, am NOT touching propane, which rules out my working on the heater, the water heater, and the refrigerator. Coward? Yep, that’s me. I had a neighbor that went up in flames when her propane tank ignited. I will never forget the sound, the sight or the loss.

Recreational Vehicle Industrial Association (RVIA) has several helpful articles or checklists on their website. Here is one quick checklist :

Storing Your RV

Between trips, the following steps can be taken to protect your RV from the elements, keep pests out and make preparing for the next trips easier:

* Empty the holding tanks.
* Remove all perishable food from cabinets.
* Turn off the refrigerator, making sure the refrigerator circuits are off.
* Remove all food from the refrigerator and leave the door open.
* Clean the interior of the RV.
* Pull shades and close blinds.
* Turn off the propane cylinders and cover the regulator.
* Cover the tires, if they will be exposed to the sun