FMCA is now Family RV Association —
same great RV community, bold new direction! |
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Every year on April 23, World Book Day celebrates reading, authors, and literature. RVers know that a good story, whether read in a book, a tablet, or listened to in audio form, can make the miles fly by — and enhance campground relaxation, too. Below, peruse a list of author-related travel sites, as you also read how to experience spring color in the Lone Star State, and prepare a delicious picnic meal.
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Laura Ingalls Wilder's Historic Home & Museum
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Pair the classics with RV travel |
“The world only exists in your eyes. You can make it as big or as small as you want.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald.
There’s no shortage of historical places one can visit while exploring the United States: Civil War battlefields, national parks, charming roadside attractions, and more. The list also includes those lesser-known but still fascinating sites: the homes of America’s great authors. You can find homes in every corner of the country; sometimes they share the stories the writers never got to tell — their own.
Here’s a sampling of cities and authors to check out in your travels:
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- Key West, Florida: Ernest Hemingway (For Whom the Bell Tolls, A Farewell to Arms)
- Mansfield, Missouri: Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie series)
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Montgomery, Alabama: F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby)
- Baltimore, Maryland: Edgar Allan Poe (The Raven, Tell-Tale Heart)
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Salinas, California: John Steinbeck (The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men)
- Hannibal, Missouri: Mark Twain (Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer)
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St. Louis, Missouri: Maya Angelou (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings)
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March Madness bracket winners
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The NCAA Division 1 basketball tournaments have officially ended, and so has FRVA’s March Madness Bracket Competition.
Thanks to all who participated. Congratulations to our winners!
Women’s Bracket: Steve Ton
Men’s Bracket: Tony Sauer
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An FRVA member exclusive: Tech Connect+
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Enhance your internet connectivity on the road with Tech Connect+, which offers truly unlimited mobile internet and data. You can enroll using a rental hotspot or choose the BYOD option if you already own a compatible device — your SIM ships preactivated, and devices ordered through the program arrive staged and kitted, ready to use. FRVA members can also add an optional phone plan for just $19.99/month, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data, and you can keep your current number. Learn more here.
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| Sedalia, Missouri: a patriotic party
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Celebrate the United States’ founding with fellow attendees at Family RV Association’s 113th International Convention & RV Expo — "250 Years of Red, White & Blue” — July 1-4 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Missouri. You’ll be treated to a great lineup of seminars, exhibits, entertainment, and special activities, culminating with a grand fireworks show on July 4. If you choose, you can remain on the grounds for the Midwest Area Rally, “RVing In The Heartland,” which immediately follows on July 5 and 6. For details, visit FRVA.com; select the Events tab.
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Although you may have seen an FRVA mobile app in the App Store or Google Play Store, note that FRVA does not support an app at this time. Look for a new FRVA app in the future!
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RV-related recall information
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Visit FamilyRVingmag.com for a list of the most recent recalls issued by RV and component manufacturers. To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, model, and VIN, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is (888) 327-4236.
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Champlain, New York
An FRVA Commercial Member | C14563
Family RV Association members receive 15% off their stay.
Heading north this season, or looking for a waterfront stay? Consider a stop at Kings Bay Campground, located along the shores of Lake Champlain, just minutes from the U.S.–Canada border. Kings Bay blends relaxed lakeside camping with plenty of amenities. With more than 150 sites offering water, sewer, and 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups, as well as accommodations for RVs up to 45 feet long, it’s an easy place to settle in, whether you’re passing through or planning a longer stay.
What sets this campground apart is its water access. Guests can enjoy a sandy beach along Lake Champlain, one of the few on the New York side, along with opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Prefer to stay on land? There’s a heated pool, general store, and space to unwind, including a bonfire circle, arcade, and rec room.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced new voluntary guidelines that allow manufacturers of diesel engines and equipment to revise their diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) software on 2026 and older diesel engines equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission controls. The EPA states that NOx sensors can be used instead to meet regulatory requirements. According to the EPA, this voluntary guidance addresses nationwide concerns from farmers, truckers, and other diesel engine operators — including owners of diesel-powered motorhomes — regarding DEF system failures. Read the RV Industry Association’s assessment here.
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April is peak bluebonnet season in Texas, when highways and backroads turn into rolling waves of blue. Those colorful highways trace back to Lady Bird Johnson, whose work on the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 helped protect roadside views and encourage native plantings. That legacy continues through the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. As Earth Day approaches on April 22, these bluebonnet-lined roads show that protecting the view makes the journey even better. If you’re traveling in Texas, put these routes on your list:
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The name may have changed, but Family RV Association remains an RVer’s best friend. From valuable benefits such as Medical & Travel Assist, our worldwide medical evacuation program included with every family membership, to a variety of RV-related discounts and services, FRVA helps you to enjoy your journeys more. Plus, stay connected with fellow RVers: Join a chapter, attend a rally, visit our online community. Check frva.com regularly to see what’s new. Not a member? Join our family today! Not an RV owner yet? Pathfinder membership is perfect if you're still researching and in need of reliable, RV-specific info.
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Lemon-Dill-Old Bay Salmon Packets
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April 23 is National Picnic Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than eating outside, where everything tastes better. Light up the grill and enjoy this easy foil packet meal.
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh dill (or ½ teaspoon dry dill weed)
4 salmon filets (about 6 oz. each)
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion power
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Optional: 1 tablespoon capers, 2-3 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons vermouth
Directions
Place half of the fresh dill (if used) and lemon slices on a sheet of foil. Season the salmon with the dry ingredients and place on foil. Top with the rest of the fresh dill, lemon slices, and capers. Cut butter into cubes and sprinkle over the salmon. Pour vermouth over the salmon. Fold the foil tightly to completely seal the packet. Grill for 10-15 minutes, or bake in an oven at 425° for 8-10 minutes. The internal temperature should be 145°.
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Family RV Association Area Rally Schedule |
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MAY 2026
INTO (International)
May 13-17 | Sevierville, TN
JUNE 2026
Great Lakes
June 10-13 | Allegan, MI
JUNE 2026
Northwest
June 17-20 | North Bend, OR
JULY 2026
Midwest
July 5-6 | Sedalia, MO
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| SEPTEMBER 2026
South Central
September 14-17
Crystal Beach, TX
SEPTEMBER 2026
Northeast
September 30-October 3
Essex Junction, VT
OCTOBER 2026
Rocky Mountain
October 7-11 | Farmington, NM
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Family RV Association 8291 Clough Pike | Cincinnati, OH 45244 US
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