Tag Archives: campfire

RV & Camping News

Posted on by

News from around the campfire.

– York, PA: The York Campers World RV Show was held in York, Pa., the second weekend of March, as has been done for the past 36 years. The 14 RV dealers present reported brisk sales, and a total of 180 units were shown on over 130,000 square feet of indoor space and 38 units were outside on the York Expo Center ground, said Beverly Gruber, executive director of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association. “Fifty campgrounds showcased their facilities and talked with the customers about the advantages of coming to their park,” she explained.

-Timmins, Ontario: When city officials in Timmins, Ontario, agreed to help operate cash-strapped Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park two years ago, they thought the park would be a paying proposition. Now the city says they may close the gates at the park if they can’t fill 10 more seasonal RV sites. With 53 sites filled, the city set Friday as the deadline for purchases; if not sold, the park will be listed as “non-operational.”

Indiana: Indiana’s state parks and reservoirs are looking for volunteers to serve as campground hosts in exchange for free camping. Hosts work a minimum of 20 hours per week. Sites looking for hosts to volunteer in April are Turkey Run, Indiana Dunes, Potato Creek and Spring Mill state parks. Raccoon State Recreation Area needs a host June 29 through August 3, the entire length, or in two-week periods. A complete list of sites and information on hosting duties is here. If interested, contact the site directly.

Elkhart, Indiana: Thor Industries Inc. plans to auction off remaining towable inventory, work-in-progress units and assorted components Tuesday (Mar. 25) at a former Monaco RV tow-able manufacturing plant on Indiana 19 (2700 S. Nappanee St.) on the south side of Elkhart, Ind., a facility that Thor purchased in February from Ocala, Fla.-based Allied Specialty Vehicles Inc. Auctioneers indicate that a big crowd is expected for the liquidation sale at the 220,000-square-foot plant in which Thor plans on expanding its Thor Motor Coach Inc. division’s motorhome production. The auction, according to a sale flier, will include “enough inventory to run production for weeks.”

Nationwide: RV dealers are expecting big things this year, according to results from a Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) survey conducted in late January to early February. In the March issue of RV Executive Today, RVDA reported that after a good 2013, the majority of survey respondents are expecting 2014 to be even better. Specifically, 68% of dealers who participated in the survey feel the outlook for the retail market this year will be better than it was in 2013. Another 32% believe the market will be about the same as it was last year.

– Manlius, NY: The Great Outdoors RV Superstore in Fulton, N.Y., is proposing to build a satellite recreational vehicle/trailer sales office on the site of the former Fremont Lanes Bowling Alley in the town of Manlius, according to the Syracuse Post-Standard.The Post-Standard reports that a small sales office would be built on the now-vacant 2.5-acre site, with 12 parking spaces and room to park 23 RVs/trailers. The site would open this spring, as soon as the proper permits are secured, Doug Miller, engineer for the town of Manlius told the Post-Standard. The bowling alley was demolished several years ago.

~News From The Weird~

– Three people were badly burned after an RV burst into flames at a Delta, British Columbia, gas station March 15. According to police, the occupants were siphoning fuel through a trap door in the vehicle, which they parked above the underground holding tank. Investigators haven’t confirmed where the stolen gas was intended to be sold, but said it sometimes is advertised on Craigslist.

– Alexandria, LA: Tips about odd smells led to the arrest of a Deville man who allegedly was operating a meth lab in a small camper, according to The Town Talk.
Deputies went to the camper Wednesday in Deville to follow-up on the tips about the smells and suspicions that meth was being made. John Loyd Paul Jr. answered the door, and deputies smelled “a distinct chemical odor,” according to The Town Talk. A deputy who entered the camper to get a gun saw a pan with suspected meth drying on a heating blanket, The Town Talk reports. Paul was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance II, creation/operation of a clandestine lab, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, illegal carrying of weapons with drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

Special thanks to CampingPA.com for supplying these great tidbits of RVing news…

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Advertisement

RV & Camping News

Posted on by

News from around the campfire.

– California: Photoelectric symbiosis is coming to California. A private investor group, Shorebreak Energy Developers, is approaching RV parks, campgrounds and mobile home parks in the state offering to equip their properties with solar panels at no cost, and then sell the park the electricity produced by the panels, saving them 35 to 75 percent on power costs. The group has set aside $50 million for the plan.

–  Online Happenings: Internet giant Facebook has made for plenty of changes for RVers, but in this case maybe not for the good. The company is building a giant data center on farmland near Altoona, Iowa — directly in front of Griffs Valley View RV Park. Owner Ted Griffieon shrugs and says, “Progress is progress,” but will RVers who used to see open meadows and a pond be thrilled to see a modern building out front?

– Borrego Springs, CA: Students on a high school-sponsored camping field trip at Borrego Springs, Cal., had a rude surprise when flammable vapors met up with a campfire with explosive results. Two students and a teacher were injured when, as a fire official told ABC News, “Something caused it to flash. The report is there was some propane or some alcohol nearby. And when I say alcohol, I don’t mean the drinking kind, but fuel of some type.”

– Alaska: For the paltry sum of $279,000, you can own a piece of political history. Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has put her Lexa Class A motor home on the market — looking to downsize to a Class C rig that’s easier to maneuver.

–BILLINGS, Mont.:  A total of 107 KOA campground owners have already “taken the leap” and adopted one of Kampgrounds of America’s three new brand positions.
The three brand positions include:

  • KOA Journey — KOA Journey campgrounds are conveniently located near the highways and byways of North America and are waiting for campers after a long day on the road. KOA Journeys offer long pull-through sites that help make setup fast and easy, have well-lit after-hour check-in service, and offer a robust line of RV supplies. They are great places to unwind and relax before the next leg of their journey.
  • KOA Holiday — Whether campers are looking for a base camp for exploring the area or a fun place to stay with lots of activities, they are sure to love KOA Holiday campgrounds. There’s plenty to do at these KOAs, with amenities and services to make any stay memorable, whether it’s overnight or for a longer stay. Each KOA Holiday features full service RV sites and KOA Deluxe Cabins with bathrooms. Campers can take a hike, see the local attractions or still enjoy a campfire.
  • KOA Resort — KOA Resort campgrounds offer a carefree vacation in the great outdoors with plenty of patio RV sites and Deluxe Cabins with linen service. KOA Resorts also have an abundance of activities led by dedicated recreation staff, on-site food service, group meeting space, and much more. KOA Resorts are all a camper could want in a vacation destination – all in one place.

~ News From The Weird ~

– National Public Radio’s automotive experts, Ray and Tom Magliozzi (a.k.a. “Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers”) were recently asked about towing a travel trailer while using the cruise control. In typical snappy fashion, the return advice included this classic line: “Just make sure you follow all the other towing recommendations the manufacturer makes, which probably include turning the overdrive off when towing, and strapping on two pairs of Depends before you head out with 6,500 pounds kissing your rear bumper.”

Special thanks to CampingPA.com for supplying these great tidbits of RVing news…

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Apple Crisp the right way!

Posted on by

This is the perfect time of year to take advantage of some of nature’s produce that is not as plentiful during the rest of the year. Among other things, this is apple season!

Here at your central Pennsylvania RV dealership, we are always looking for new recipes to help you enjoy the seasons. It is in that spirit we have found this terrific Autumn recipe to share with our followers, a Campfire Apple Crisp recipe. It is perfect over a campfire but you can make it in a regular oven as well. It is very similar to grilling “potato packs” over an open fire, but with apples instead of potatoes.

Apple Crisp the Camp Fire Way

  • You will need four apples, of your choice, chopped up
  • 1/3 cups of uncooked oatmeal
  • 3/4 cups of brown sugar,
  • ½ cup of flour
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup of butter
  • 3 tablespoons of white sugar
  • Foil

Directions: In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients with the butter until the butter is dispersed in the mixture. Then add the apples. Mix well. Then take three pieces of foil and add the ingredients to make three “pouches” that you will seal to go over the campfire. . squeeze the ends to make a boat shape. Put the apples in the center of the foil and fold the foil over to make sure you have nice, sealed foil packages.

Put a grate over the campfire and cook the package for 15 to 20 minutes. If you have no access to a grate, put the foil pack directly into the campfire a bit farther away from the heat and rotate it every 5 minutes. Check to make sure the apples are cooking evenly about half way through.

You can also use this recipe in your RV if the weather is not conducive to a fire by putting the ingredients in a casserole dish and putting it in the oven for about one hour at 350 degrees.

This is a great tasting, great smelling desert dish that is perfect for the season. If you are looking for an easy recipe to take advantage of the abundance of apples this fall, this can be it.

There are still some great fall RV weekends ahead. Safe travels and Happy RVing!

Unique ways to S’more

Posted on by

Nothing says camping like roasting marshmallows over a campfire to create the perfect s’more. A traditional s’more recipe calls for sandwiching a roasted marshmallow between graham crackers with a couple of pieces of chocolate. But there is no “right way” to make a s’more. In fact, there are endless combinations and creative ingredients that can be used to create unique and fun treats. So the next time you’re camping in your RV, check out these recipes for a fresh spin on an old classic.

The S’more Dip

Ingredients
– Chocolate cream cheese

– Marshmallow cream

– Chocolate chips

– Miniature marshmallows

– Aluminum foil

– Parchment paper

Directions: Tear off a large square aluminum foil. Add a square of parchment inside the aluminum foil. Place scoops of chocolate cream cheese and a dollop of marshmallow creme in center on top of parchment paper. Wrap up and place on campfire for 15-20 minutes, until melted. Use tongs to remove packet from heat. Sprinkle miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips on top. Serve with graham crackers of course!

The S’more Cone

Ingredients

– Waffle ice cream cone

– Chocolate chips

– Miniature marshmallows

– Chopped fruit (bananas, strawberries, etc)

– Aluminum foil

Directions: Mix miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips and chopped fruit in a cone. Wrap cone in foil. Lay wrapped cones over your campfire for 5-7 minutes; rotating occasionally. Use tongs to remove cone from heat. When the foil is cool enough to hold, unwrap cone and enjoy.

The S’more Burrito

Ingredients

– Chocolate chips

– Miniature marshmallows

– Peanut butter (optional)

– Flour tortillas

– Aluminum foil

Directions: Spoon two tablespoons of chocolate chips or pieces, a dozen miniature marshmallows and peanut butter (optional) into the center of a flour tortilla. Roll up the tortilla, wrap it in foil, and set it on campfire coals for about 4 minutes, flipping it halfway through. Use tongs to remove the burrito from heat. When the foil is cool enough to hold, fold it down on one end and eat this sweet burrito treat.

S’more Golden Graham Treats

Ingredients

-1/4 cup butter
-1 (10 oz) bag regular marshmallows
-1 box of Golden Graham cereal
-1-2 cups Chocolate chips

Directions: Combine marshmallow and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for approximately 1 minute. Stir mixture together until combined, microwaving in 30 second intervals until completely melted. Add Golden Grahams to bowl and stir until they are all well coated. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 pan and press evenly. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting into squares and going to town!

The Banana S’more

Ingredients

– Bananas
– Chocolate chips
– Miniature marshmallows
– Graham crackers

– Aluminum foil

Directions: Slice banana lengthwise and slightly open. Place on a square of aluminum foil. Insert marshmallows and chocolate chips into the sliced banana. Wrap each banana up in foil and cook on the grill for 5 to 10 minutes. Use tongs to remove the banana from heat. When the foil is cool enough to hold, unwrap the bananas and top with a few tablespoons of crushed graham crackers. After the banana s’more has slightly cooled grab a spoon and dig in.

Any ways to eat s’mores that we missed? Let us know in the comments. We’re always looking for new, delicious ways to get our favorite camping dessert!
Safe Travels and Happy RVing!

Related articles

Who wants some S’mores?

Posted on by
Lerch RV-Pennsylvania RV Sales-camping-smores

Got S’mores?

Ahh, s’mores, who could deny a deliciously sweet, sticky, tasty treat while enjoy a campfire? We sure couldn’t! And while we love the traditional graham cracker, hershey’s bar and roasted marshmallow, we’re all about adventure so we polled some Lerch RV customers to discover their favorite ways to make ooey-gooey s’mores.

Reese’s S’more

  •  2 graham crackers
  • 1 regular sized Reese’s peanut butter cup
  • 1 roasted marshmallow

Rolo’s S’more                  

  • 2 graham crackers
  • 2 Rolos
  • 1 roasted marshmallow

Fudge Cookie S’mores

  • 2 fudge cookies
  • 1 roasted marshmallow
    • Put the roasted marshmallow between the chocolate sides of the cookies

Peanut Butter S’more

  • 2 graham crackers
  • Hershey’s chocolate bar
  • 1 roasted marshmallow
  • A smear of peanut  butter on the graham crackers

And an added bonus to all of these recipes? Melt the chocolate piece onto the graham cracker by setting it near the fire. What are your favorite spins on the s’more? Share those campfire favorites with us…

Safe Travels and Happy RVing!