July 2020
July 2020
The Mile Marker By FMCA
Weekend Warriors, Here's To You
Even though we've been given a cautionary green light to travel, it's obvious things aren't quite back to normal as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.  While many RVers are hesitant to take cross-country trips, others are ready to venture out a little.  So, we devote this month's newsletter to the weekend warrior.
When you're daydreaming of future road trips, it's easy to think about those bucket list items: the Grand Canyon, Pacific Coast Highway, Yellowstone.  As a weekend warrior, though, you still can have amazing adventures, but without the commitment, expenses, or pressures of large-scale trips.  It's a good bet you can find state parks, Corps of Engineers (COE) campgrounds, intriguing small towns, and plenty of other places within a few hours of your current residence.
We encourage you to put the same amount of excitement and sense of adventure into these small-scale weekend trips.  Who knows what you'll discover right in your own backyard!
The FMCA Team
Briter's Ridin' Solar
"Briter Products was a lifesaver for us.  Motor coaches like ours have a great dependency on powerful, dependable batteries, making Briter's lithium-iron-phosphate batteries light-years ahead of our previous gel batteries.  Another plus: their customer service, support, and follow-through are second to none."

— Joe & Carly P. (Fire Chief, Ret)
Plans change.  Briter's commitment won't.  Over the years, FMCA members' support has allowed Briter to continue to offer outstanding 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 how solar can be tailored to your travel needs.  To learn more and schedule a no-charge consultation, visit https://briterproducts.com/solar.

JOIN TODAY!

Join FMCA and save on RV-related goods and services from batteries to roadside assistance, internet hotspots, camping fees, and more!
How Do I?
Tips For Quick Trips

Lower the chances of a weekend warrior fail with some planning.

Visit Roadtrippers.com to easily calculate trip time, mileage, and approximate fuel costs.  Enter where you want to start and finish; in an instant, this info will appear.  You'll also learn about off-the-beaten-path places along the route.  Check the free Roadtrippers app for iOS or Android; an enhanced version is also available.

Maximize your minimal trip time with 10 weekend-warrior travel hacks from Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi at thervatlas.com.  You'll be amazed how these commonsense suggestions can improve your trip experience.
Out And About
Say you're itching to hit the road, but you don't have time for a long RV trip.  Or you're cautious about venturing too far afield in the COVID-19 era.  With a little research, you can identify travel-worthy spots located in your comfort zone.

Ron Samson offers a great start in his book, Smart RV Travel Guide For The Lower 48 States.  He covers state and national parks, RV parks, and suggested routes and attractions in each state.

Camping.com identifies where to go, where to stay, and what to do.  Search for campgrounds by state or Canadian province; read (or write) reviews; and make reservations.  The site includes travel guides, state park guides, suggested road trips, and more.  Numerous "Hot Spots" and "Camping Gems" spotlight places of interest, possibly near you.  Other articles provide inspiration for camping with children and pets, ways to stay fit, and more.

The National Park Service suggests fun ways to "recreate responsibly" during the pandemic: Choose an activity, find a park near you, and make a plan.  With more than 400 national park facilities, you may find one not far away.  Grab suggestions for fun ways to enjoy the outdoors, including urban areas, wilderness parks, and short excursions.

GoRVing.com and GoRVing.ca provide a wealth of destination information.  Search by state or province to find RV parks and campgrounds, as well as nearby attractions.  Learn about national scenic byways and public lands, too.

And don't forget to look right here in the FMCA backyard.  The FMCA RV Marketplace is a searchable list of FMCA commercial members, including campgrounds across the United States and Canada.  Many RV parks offer member discounts.

We wish you safe and satisfying travels, wherever you may roam.
RV Whisper®... SHOUT IT OUT!
Upgrade your RV for pet safety and more!  FMCA members have access to special offers on easy-to-install Pet Safety wireless monitoring packages from RV Whisper®.  Remotely monitor important information about your RV's temperature, batteries, propane level, shore power, door open/close status and more.  App available for both Android and iPhone.  To learn more, visit www.fmca.com/rv-whisper.
Wholesale Warranties
RV Whisper®
FMCA University
Tucson On My Mind
Great news!  FMCA has announced plans to host the 104th International Convention & RV Expo, March 23 through 26, 2022, at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona.
We are already preparing for FMCA's 2021 international conventions:
102nd: March 10-13, Perry, Georgia
103rd: July 7-10, Gillette, Wyoming
More information will be available about these events in the coming months, so visit FMCA's Events Page regularly.
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 members-only offers!

Passport America, C5542 FMCA has a partnership with Passport America, a 50% discount camping club.  FMCA members can purchase a reduced Passport America membership.  Learn more. 
My Camping Dream
RVers come from all types of backgrounds and live varied lives, but we all dream of camping in one way or another.  Share your camping dream and read others at MyCampingDream.com
Sisters on the Fly
This women's group is made up of thousands of ladies with a passion for outdoor adventure.  Many are solo travelers who make lifelong friendships and connections through shared experiences.  Whether it's RVing, sight-seeing, boating, or a plethora of other activities, the fun and sisterhood never stops with Sisters on the Fly
The Daily Smile Podcast
Nowadays, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the negative news stories that bombard us from every medium: TV, internet, podcasts.  If you listen to enough of them, it can really bring your mood down.  Luckily, there are people like Nikki Boyer, host of The Daily Smile podcast.  Each episode is a beacon of light in an often troubling time. 
Meal Prep Paradise

Summer RV travels tend to be full of fun and packed with adventure.  So, before you hit the road, prepare a few Family Freezer meals so you can spend more time having fun and less time in the RV kitchen.  Kelly McNelis has many different meal prep options, including freezer meals and marinades.  They are tasty, family friendly, and as simple as turning on the slow cooker before setting out in the morning.

How about a refreshing treat after your adventurous day?  We have you covered there, too!  You and your family will enjoy these easy-to-make Kool-Aid and Jello popsicles.

FMCA
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