The Last Trip: A Husband’s POWERFUL Message After Unexpected TRAGIC Loss

This week on the RV Podcast:

• The Last Trip: A Husband’s Powerful Message After THE Unexpected Loss of his spouse throughout an RV Trip

• That Massive wildfire close to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is STILL uncontrolled and is now the one worst wildfire in your entire nation.

• RVers share the weirdest issues they’ve seen in a campground – would you consider a pet kangaroo?

• All this plus the RV News of the Week, Mike & Jen’s Storytime, and your questions arising in Episode #558 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video model from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the participant under.

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RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK

​Grand Canyon’s Megafire Now Largest of 2025 & So Intense, It Creates Its Own Weather​

The hearth nonetheless burning by means of the north rim of the Grand Canyon is now formally the most important wildfire of 2025, a megafire, so scorching it’s creating its personal climate patterns. The hearth, which has created “fire clouds,” has torched greater than 116,500 acres as of Sunday and is about 12 p.c contained, in response to InciWeb. The north rim is closed for the rest of the 2025 season, and the hearth continues to be uncontrolled and rising in measurement.

​Distressed Camper Nope—Just a Lone Guy Belting Out Nickelback​

Rescue groups rushed to assist what they thought was a camper in misery in British Columbia, but it surely seems these screams have been from a man rocking out to Nickelback in the midst of the woods. The man was solo tenting within the Boulderfields, singing his coronary heart out, when two close by hikers known as 911 after listening to what they described as “repeated cries.” Members of a Search and Rescue crew have been training close by, so that they introduced within the drone workforce and enlisted two Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers solely to seek out the solo camper singing away, blissfully unaware.

​Birthday Camping Trip Ends in Deadly Explosion at Maine Campground​

Two pals celebrating a birthday by tenting collectively on the Power Horn Family Camping Resort in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, have been tragically killed after their camper exploded from a suspected propane leak. The girls, ages 57 and 58, smelled a rotten, garlic-like odor within the camper so that they opened the home windows and lit a candle to masks the scent. But hearth officers consider the unhealthy odor was doubtless attributable to a liquid propane leak which ignited when the candle was lit. 

​Father And Daughter Camping Trip Ends with Horrific Violent Attack and Father in Intensive Care​

A 58-year-old Georgia father stays in intensive care after struggling extreme accidents throughout a brutal assault whereas tenting along with his 20-year-old daughter. The assault occurred at Low Gap Campground in northern Georgia. The dad was reduce from the ear to the again of the neck with glass and suffered a extreme mind bleed. Four strangers allegedly attacked him and his daughter from behind as they sat at their campsite. Three males and one girl have been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery in what’s an on-going police investigation. There’s no phrase but on the motive, and police say extra individuals could also be arrested.

​Micro-Burst Winds Flip RVs with Families Inside During Texas Storm​

Texas and campgrounds have absolutely had their share of extreme climate this summer time. The newest was final Thursday when sturdy winds toppled many RVs at a Gunter, Texas, RV park throughout a extreme thunderstorm. The storm produced “micro-bursts” of sturdy winds, and at the least six RVs rolled over, some with their homeowners inside. There have been some accidents, however no fatalities.

​Yellowstone Nightmare: 17-Year-Old Severely Burned by Geyser in Thermal Area​

A teen visiting Yellowstone National Park along with his household was significantly burned from a geyser when his foot broke by means of a thermal space about 5 miles from Old Faithful. The 17-year-old was mountain climbing close to the Lone Star Geyser when he broke by means of the delicate floor, severely burning his foot and ankle. Signs are posted all through the park warning guests to remain on the paths. In the previous, some guests have even died by stepping off the path and struggling extreme burns.

​Camping World Reports $2 Billion in Q2 Revenue, a 9.4% increase from last year​

The Big simply hold getting Bigger. Camping World Holdings, Inc. reported $2 billion in income for its second quarter, a year-over-year improve of $169.4 million or 9.4%. RV Business reported the corporate set a brand new report for mixed new and used RV gross sales. It did so whereas making structural modifications to its fastened prices by doing issues like decreasing their headcount by greater than 900 and consolidating 16 areas. There are 215 Camping World shops in operation, with the corporate persevering with to construct and purchase extra of them.

RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – The Last Trip

On this episode, we meet Barry Sims—a fellow RVer whose story is each heartbreaking and deeply inspiring. After three months of anticipation, Barry and his spouse, Mandy, lastly took their four-year-old grandson on a much-anticipated tenting journey to Sun Outdoors in Conway, South Carolina, over Memorial Day weekend. It was imagined to be a joyful getaway crammed with sunshine, poolside enjoyable, and valuable time collectively.

But what began as a ravishing household journey took a tragic flip. That evening, Barry’s spouse suffered a sudden, deadly coronary heart assault—passing away simply hours after a day spent doing precisely what she cherished most: tenting and doting on her grandson.

Barry’s story is a robust reminder of simply how fragile life might be—and why it’s so essential to make recollections when you can. This dialog is a tribute to like, household, and the RV way of life that makes moments like these attainable. I invite you to pay attention in as Barry shares his journey by means of grief, perspective, and the lasting message he is carrying ahead.

Please hearken to the podcast above or watch the video for the entire story.

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer stories on the recent points most talked about this previous week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

This week in our personal  RVLifestyle Community the excitement has centered on some mini-meet ups we’re planning across the nation – one factor we do in our personal on-line group is assist set up methods for on-line friendships to change into “real life” friendships and they’re at all times a lot enjoyable! We have a number of mini-meetups occurring in August.

And in our RVLifestyle Facebook Group, the theme this week is issues that made me smile! (And I hope they are going to make you smile, too!)

The first was a put up from Brian that included an image of himself along with his attractive hyacinth macaw, who had a ravishing, royal blue coloration and virtually appeared like she was leaning to him to smile for the digicam. It was cute! And Brian wrote:

“I just love this bird! She is always up for anything, and she LOVES to go camping! She loves our dogs and enjoys spending time outside with them, saying “I love you!” time and again. When she goes alongside on our walks, she tends to attract a number of consideration, which she loves! Cookie wished to say good morning!!”

Many individuals, in fact, jumped in to say good morning again to Cookie. And many others began sharing footage of their birds that additionally go tenting with them. It was attention-grabbing to be taught that Cookie cherished tenting since day one, is fairly quiet (Unless she sees the colour orange), and is a mild large. What a enjoyable put up!

Another put up to make you smile was from Jayson, and he requested:

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen at a campground?

People have seen some loopy issues! While there are ALL sorts of solutions and listed here are a number of of my favorites.

Quinton wrote the weirdest factor was tenting close to RVers who introduced their pet. He wrote: “Craziest thing ever seen. Talked to them just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. They were normal people that have chickens for pets on an RV trip.”

For Joy, she had a neighboring camper who had a pet goat that stayed inside besides once they walked it on a leash together with their canine. It had little foam bumpers on its horns.

Unusual pets got here up typically within the feedback of this put up, with others seeing full-sized pet pigs, pet sheep, even a pet kangaroo – all RVing!

Julie was one in all a few individuals who noticed Amish tenting close to them. She mentioned: “That might not be weird to most, but it was sure intriguing as they stuck to everything by their ways … I live in an area that I’ve never been around Amish.”  The campers appeared loads like coated wagons on wheels – so possibly they have been Mennonite, however I agree it’s not one thing you see every single day. 

Patrice as soon as noticed an Inflatable Swimming pool on a trailer.

My favourite, Julie, who noticed an RV with the entire set of Toy Story motion figures zip-tied or glued to their RV, hanging off the bumper, climbing the ladder. She mentioned it appeared so actual that her children went loopy for it.

How about you? What is the weirdest factor you might have ever seen in a campground? Please go away it within the feedback!

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RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: “How can the black tank fill up so fast? We’re only 2 people, we emptied before we got here last night, and now it says full. I have only used it 3 times.” – Sandra

ANSWER: This might be the commonest frustration skilled by virtually all RVers and your black tank might be not full — your tank sensors are simply soiled or misreading.

It occurs to all RVs.

RV black tank sensors are notoriously unreliable. Toilet paper, waste buildup, and even simply condensation can follow the sensor probes contained in the tank and set off a false “full” studying. Since you emptied the tank simply the day earlier than and solely used it a number of occasions, it’s extremely doubtless the sensors are simply soiled or misreading.

What it’s essential do is clear out your black tank by backwashing it. Most newer RVs include a Saniflush system to just do that, but when not, Camco makes an ideal product that attaches to the RV black tank drain.

It’s known as the Rhino Blaster TV Tank Rinser, and it’s solely one thing like $22.

This product was simply launched this 12 months, and it has a 4-prong bayonet swivel becoming for fast attachment to the RV’s sewer outlet on one finish, and a drain hose hookup on the opposite. You connect a hose to it and it sends a high-flow blast of water into the black tank, hopefully cleansing these sensors.

A transparent elbow enables you to see the cleaning in motion, guaranteeing a radical flush. Once it’s clear, detach and go. Your tank ought to be clear, and your sensors ought to be working once more.

MIKE & JEN’S STORYTIME – Not going All In, All at Once

MIKE Today, we wish to share the story of how we first acquired into RV life – and extra importantly, the mindset shift that made all of it attainable.

JEN: This is a narrative about permission – giving your self permission to ease into one thing new as a substitute of diving headfirst into the deep finish!

MIKE: So image this: I’m completely satisfied that RV journey goes to be wonderful for us. I’m studying blogs, watching YouTube journey movies, dreaming about all these unbelievable locations we might go to…

JEN: And I’m pondering, “This sounds like a recipe for being trapped in a tiny metal box, eating canned beans, and taking cold showers for weeks on end!” Not precisely my concept of a calming trip.

MIKE: Jen had some very official issues. The Class B van we have been taking a look at was… nicely, let’s simply say it was cozy. Really cozy.

JEN: I saved imagining us caught inside throughout unhealthy climate, Mike getting cranky as a result of he could not stretch out correctly, me going stir-crazy as a result of I could not even rise up straight!

MIKE: That’s after I had what I believe was my smartest relationship second ever. Instead of making an attempt to persuade Jen that RV life can be good, I steered we give ourselves permission for it to be imperfect.

JEN: He mentioned, “What if we don’t have to cook every meal? What if we give ourselves permission to eat out whenever we want to?”

MIKE: And then I added the kicker: “And if we ever feel too confined in the van, we’ll just get a motel room every third or fourth night. Long hot showers, room to spread out, no pressure to rough it.”

JEN: I’ve to confess that fully modified my perspective. Suddenly, RV journey wasn’t this all-or-nothing proposition the place we needed to change into wilderness survival consultants in a single day.

MIKE: The humorous factor is, simply having that permission – figuring out we might bail out to a restaurant or a motel at any time when we wished – made the entire concept really feel approachable as a substitute of intimidating.

JEN: It was like having a security web that made us courageous sufficient to strive the trapeze! We purchased our little Class B van and began planning our first journey.

MIKE: And what occurred? We used these “escape hatches” precisely twice on our first massive journey. Twice! Out of three weeks on the street.

JEN: The first time was throughout a thunderstorm once we simply wished to unfold out and loosen up in an actual room. The second time was once we discovered this wonderful little historic inn that we could not resist making an attempt.

MIKE: But here is the gorgeous half – we did not use these choices as a result of we have been depressing within the RV. We used them as a result of they have been there, and figuring out they have been there made us extra assured and relaxed within the van.

JEN: It seems that once you’re not forcing your self to show how “hardcore” you might be, you really benefit from the expertise extra! We cherished cooking easy meals on our little range, we found out the bathe scenario, and we found we really preferred the comfy feeling.

MIKE: That first journey taught us one thing profound about making an attempt new issues: you do not have to go all in, suddenly. You can wade into the shallow finish earlier than swimming to the deep water.

JEN: And as soon as we realized we genuinely loved RV life – not as a result of we needed to, however as a result of we wished to – we step by step began utilizing lodges much less and cooking extra. But it occurred naturally, not as a result of we have been forcing ourselves.

MIKE: Years later, once we upgraded to our Class C motorhome after which ultimately to our fifth wheel, we carried that very same philosophy ahead. We nonetheless give ourselves permission to eat out, to remain in lodges if we wish to, to not be good RV vacationers. 

JEN: But the reality of the matter is, apart from consuming out, we really choose sleeping within the Fifth Wheel. We name it our Condo on Wheels, that’s how snug it’s.

MIKE: And we simply purchased a small Class C motorhome for shorter journeys once we wish to boondock or go locations the place the fifth wheel is simply too massive. But we do not even take into consideration a motel anymore. Our RVs are really our blissful houses.

JEN: The ethical of our story? When you are making an attempt one thing new – whether or not it is RV journey, a brand new pastime, or any massive life change – give your self permission to not be good at it instantly.

MIKE: Create your personal escape hatches, your personal security nets. They do not make you weak or uncommitted – they make you courageous sufficient to strive within the first place.

JEN: And here is the actually lovely half: as soon as you are not forcing your self to sink or swim, you typically uncover you are a a lot better swimmer than you thought!

MIKE: So whether or not you are contemplating RV life, beginning a brand new enterprise, studying a brand new talent, or making any massive change, bear in mind – you do not have to go all in on day one.

JEN: Give your self permission to ease into it, to have backup plans, to not be the poster little one for no matter you are making an attempt. Progress beats perfection each single time.

MIKE: And who is aware of? You would possibly simply uncover that the factor you have been afraid to strive turns into one thing you completely love.

JEN: And that’s this week’s podcast. Till subsequent time…. Happy Trails, and bear in mind – child steps nonetheless get you to wonderful locations!