| Dear RVer,
Welcome to the first year of the 2020s decade, or the 20th year of the 21st century. It's a leap year, too! However you choose to describe 2020, it's a new year - an open road, if you will. And we hope 2020 takes you down the highway to your dream destinations. This month's newsletter includes planning tips and trip ideas to help you map out your 2020 travels.
So settle in with a cup of coffee, read our tips, and start planning!
Wishing you safe and FUN travels for the new year,
The FMCA Team
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| Thank you for a great magazine! We read it from cover to cover!
— Priscilla Handy Mercer, F37D
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| Trip Inspiration from Family RVing Magazine
FMCA members automatically receive a monthly subscription to Family RVing. Each issue features trip ideas, such as tips for exploring Ohio's Amish Country, must-try BBQ restaurants in Texas, or day hikes in Zion National Park. Many members are inspired by articles they read in Family RVing - join today and get exclusive 24/7 access to the digital archives!
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JOIN FMCAMake Family RVing a part of your next RV adventure - JOIN TODAY
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| Refer to FMCA's RV Marketplace when you begin to plan your next RV journey. This online listing of FMCA commercial members includes more than 500 campgrounds — not to mention RV manufacturers and dealers, component and accessory suppliers, repair facilities, service providers... the list goes on. Many offer discounts to FMCA members. So join FMCA today!
As you plan your next RV itinerary, including stopping points, FMCA's North American Road Atlas & Travel Guide can be a great research tool. The 300+ maps in this spiral-bound guide pinpoint the locations of FMCA campgrounds, public-lands facilities, and others, including those with big-rig-friendly sites. The map key also indicates where to find Sam's Club, Cracker Barrel, Pilot/Flying J, and Love's Travel Stops locations. Find it in the FMCA Store.
The FMCA Campground in Cincinnati, OH - home of FMCA headquarters - makes a great hub of operations for members who plan to be tooling around the area. FMCA members can stay two free nights a month. Yet another reason to join FMCA today!
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| Festivals - Try Them All!
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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
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| One of the best parts of RVing is experiencing different cities and regions. Soak up an area's flavor by attending a regional festival. Events occur throughout the year, so you have plenty of time to plan. Here's a sampling:
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival: April 2-26, 2020 – Vancouver, BC, is proud of its beautiful cherry blossom trees. Every spring, when they begin to bloom, the city comes alive with art, music, food, and poetry. Month-long events provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the serenity and romance of one of the world's most beautiful trees.
Addison Kaboom Town: July 3, 2020 – More than a half-million guests flock to tiny Addison, Texas, near Dallas, for one of the top-ranked Fourth of July fireworks shows. The evening also includes an air show and concludes with an after-party featuring live music. Addison also lays claim to more restaurants per capita than any U.S. city - 180-plus eateries.
National Buffalo Wing Festival: September 5-6, 2020 – Over the past 18 years, nearly 5 million wings have been served at this celebration in Buffalo, New York. Sample wings from dozens of vendors. Perhaps try bobbing for wings, or enter the Miss Buffalo Wing Pageant. There are multiple eating challenges to take on as well. Just don't wear a white shirt!
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: October 3-11, 2020 – This annual New Mexico festival is an RVer favorite. During the nine-day event, hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons launch from a location outside of town. Plenty of area camping is available; you just may be able to watch balloons float by from the comfort of your RV!
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| A Camping Conundrum?
Are last-minute reservations possible? ReserveAmerica.com suggests booking campsites at least six months in advance. But what if time has gotten away from you, or you make a last-minute decision to take a road trip? Being flexible about dates and locations, and checking for cancellations are a few tips. Here's more.
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| "Sunsets + Saguaros" Action
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| Peace of Mind When Traveling
FMCA members are automatically enrolled in the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program as part of their membership dues. It provides emergency medical evacuation and repatriation; RV return; and pet and dependent return, among other benefits, as long as you are more than 100 miles from home (or a full-time RVer). Learn more.
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Camp Here
Not sure which campgrounds are open this time of year? If you enjoy RVing in any month or season, here's a handy state-by-state list of KOA campgrounds that remain open year-round.
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| Travel Journals
With so many places to see and memories to make, you may forget to record your favorite memories and trip plans. Consider these planners to manage your upcoming travels:
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| Death Valley In Winter
You may be thinking, "FMCA, you're crazy!" No, hear us out... In the winter months, Death Valley loses its "scorching" reputation as temperatures retreat into the mid-60s. These lower temps make for perfect hiking weather in Death Valley National Park, or for enjoying the surprising wildflower fields. Learn more in this post from Matt Jaffe.
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Did Someone Say Tacos? Count Us In!
As the days get colder, take advantage of comfort food cravings to whip up tasty treats for every meal, and enjoy cool-weather camping that much more. From potato pancakes to camp tacos, KOA delivers a yummy menu to warm you from the inside-out. Head over to KOA.com/blog to see their Favorite Cold Weather Camping Recipes.
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