| Search online for the word "lighthouse," and you'll find hundreds of millions of entries. Really! You can learn about lighthouse history, lore, and locations to your heart's content. In these extraordinary and trying times, such beacons can signify hope and comfort — our light in the darkness.
We think of other light-related imagery as well. We can learn to take better photos ... find new recipes to cook over a campfire flame or grill ... discover illuminating strategies for creating quality family time at the campground ... and more.
Read on for more en-light-enment. In the meantime, we invite you to become a worldwide armchair traveler and peruse these dramatic lighthouse images.
The FMCA Team
"From the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the craggy coastline of Maine, and all along the Great Lakes shoreline - lighthouses tend to mark the places we want to go with our families for vacation."
— Wayne Wheeler, United States Lighthouse Society founder and chair
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| Briter Products, The Future of RV Batteries
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"We have a 2018 Thor Palazzo with the optional solar panels (total of 3). They never worked correctly despite multiple visits to two different certified warranty repair centers. While at the October 2019 Thor Diesel Rally in Goshen, I stopped at the Briter booth to learn more about their batteries and how they interface with solar systems. When they heard of my poor experience trying to have an operational system, they arranged to have an engineer come to our coach to assess the problem. She was at the motorhome less than 30 minutes and had my solar system working - and all at no charge! Had I been a customer, this would be good customer service. Since I was not yet a customer, that's going "above and beyond." Great people, great company!"
— Dale & Susan Willrich, F494725
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| Plans change. Briter's commitment won't. Over the years, FMCA members' support has allowed Briter to continue to offer the very best in power products to enhance the RVing experience.
Solar technology benefits RVers in more ways than ever before, and Briter's engineering team would like to share with you how solar can be tailored to your travel needs. To learn more and schedule a no-charge consultation visit http://briterproducts.com/solar or call 574-703-1873.
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| JOIN THE FMCA FAMILY
RVing is so much better with a trusted resource by your side. Click here to join FMCA today!
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| Technology and cameras have come a long way in a short amount of time. Most people have a nicer camera on their cell phone than they realize, and sharing photos with friends and family has increased interest in learning basic photography skills. Check out FMCA's blog How to Take Better Photos of Your RV for tips to capture the perfect shot of your home on wheels.
Once you've taken some awesome photos of your RV or some of the sights you see during your travels, share them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #fmcaRV. We may even share your pictures on FMCA's Instagram and Facebook page! The Family RVing magazine team also accepts photo submissions for the "Rear View" column and high-resolution images that include an RV for possible use on the cover (editor@fmca.com). You can email your photos to rearview@fmca.com or editor@fmca.com.
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| North American Lighthouse Tours
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| Fresh air, exercise, history, architecture, and stunning views. If you are looking to fill your day (or days) during your next adventure, consider taking a tour of some of North America's oldest and most spectacular lighthouses.
See the "Guardians of the Great Lakes" by booking one of Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises. You're guaranteed to see at least five lighthouses and pass directly under the Mackinac Bridge.
While the most famous lighthouse might be The Harbour Town Light House on Hilton Head Island, don't sell South Carolina short. Take some time to visit these historic lighthouses scattered along the state's coastline.
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| Newcoast Financial Services
FMCA's new partner Newcoast Financial Services is offering members special opportunities related to financing and refinancing an RV, be it new or pre-owned. So, if you're in the market for a new or new-to-you RV and need financing, visit www.fmca.com/rv-financing to learn about member-exclusive discounted rates and fees.
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| FMCA RV Club App
Stay organized with the help of the FMCA RV Club App, powered by Togo. This handy app provides a place to store contact information for your preferred service center, to track RV maintenance, and to consult checklists (those you create and those provided by the app). The app also helps you stay connected with FMCA and its resources, and it provides a direct link to the RV-friendly Roadtrippers trip planning software. To learn more, visit www.fmca.com/fmca-rv-club-app.
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| FMCA North Amercian Road Atlas and Travel Guide
Another great trip planning resource is the FMCA North American Road Atlas and Travel Guide. Created with RVers in mind, the atlas identifies campgrounds, including those that are big-rig friendly, and pinpoints Walmart and Sam's Club stores, Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, Pilot Flying J and Love's travel centers, and more. The cost is $17 plus shipping and handling. To order, visit https://shopfmca.com.
Please note: due to a "Stay at Home" order issued by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, online orders may be delayed.
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| RV ELECTRICTY BASICS ON BEHALF OF FMCA PARTNER, PROTENG® DISTRIBUTION
Mike Sokol covers the basics of electricity for RV owners. Part 1 includes volts, amps, watts, and how to use a digital meter to measure each. Click here to view Mike's tutorial.
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Save on Campground Fees
KOA Value Kard — New FMCA members receive the gift of a one-year membership to the KOA Value Kard Rewards program. This gives you 10% off your daily registration rate at any of KOA's 500+ campgrounds in North America. In addition, you'll earn points that are redeemable toward dollars off future stays, and you'll have access to exclusive KOA member-only offers!
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| RVing on the Beach? Yes, Please!
Have you ever parked your RV on the beach, giving you an oceanfront view for the night? If not, we highly recommend it. Waking up to the crashing waves is therapeutic and the perfect way to start your day. Check out these tips on RVing on the Beach from RV Life and start planning your first RV beach trip now!
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| See You At the Campground
RVers Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi have been camping for years, and they share all the knowledge and advice they've gained in their new book, See You at the Campground. From socializing with your camp neighbors and campfire cocktails to traveling with infants and family camping anecdotes, this book is a relatable and fun read for any camping or RV enthusiast.
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| Balancing Kids, Education, and RV Travel
It can be difficult to travel as often as you'd like if you have young children, but we believe that having kids with you shouldn't stop you from exploring the world and traveling to new places. FMCA member and guest blogger Keith Sims of The Soulful RV Family balances his kids' education and extracurricular activities with their family's love of RV travel. Follow along with the Sims family adventures on their social media channels.
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Pesto Chicken and Veggie Foil Pack
RVers don't need to be sold on the tasty benefits of grilling; they just need more recipes. Here's one from Togo RV. For prep tips and other campsite recipes, click here.
Ingredients:
2 large chicken breasts, sliced evenly in half
2 cups small potatoes, quartered
1 large bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow onion, cut into rings
1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks
2 tbsp. minced garlic (or 1 tsp. garlic powder)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste
Lemon, parmesan cheese (optional)
Preheat oven or grill to 425 degrees, or make sure campfire coals are hot and flames are low. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together and evenly coat with oil and seasoning. Set out 4 large sheets of foil. Divide mixture evenly, ensuring each foil pack gets 1 piece of chicken. Seal the foil and bake or grill for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (reaches 165 degrees inside). Let foil packs cool down and serve.
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