This week on the RV Podcast, you are about to get one of those classic RV retirement stories you stumble across on the road. We are introducing you to a man who, after retiring, hit the road in his RV to chase a passion that had long been just a hobby, learning about and appreciating fine wines.
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But first, it is Thanksgiving week, and this episode will be a little shorter than usual. We know many of you are pressed for time as you get ready for family gatherings or enjoy some well-earned moments with loved ones.
We even gave Wendy the week off from her Social Media Buzz. That is partly self-serving, since we will be heading to her home in southeast Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with her. We want to make sure she has plenty of time to handle that turkey and all the fixings.
We are bringing dessert, of course. Before we hit the road, Jen has to bake her world-famous Dutch apple pie and her equally famous pumpkin pie. So, yes, this shorter episode comes with a very delicious excuse.
Thanksgiving has always been special for us, and one of the traditions we have when we gather around the table is sharing what we are thankful for. It is one of our favorite traditions, and we hope you will take a moment to do the same with your family or friends this week. Gratitude has a way of changing everything.
At the top of our Thanksgiving List
And at the very top of our list this year is our RV Community. It is the biggest blessing of our work and truly the heart of the RV Lifestyle for us.
When we launched the community a few years ago, we honestly just wanted a place where RVers could escape the sniping, drama, and mean-spirited stuff that had taken over Facebook. We hoped maybe a few like-minded folks would join us around a virtual campfire.
We never expected it to grow the way it has. What started as a small group has turned into a thriving, close-knit family of RVers who genuinely care about one another. Inside, people encourage each other, help each other troubleshoot, cheer each other on, and form real friendships that spill into real life.
And it is not just digital. We meet up three times a year for big rallies. We host in-person mini meetups every month all across the country. And when we’re not camping together, we meet twice a week in a community livestream where there’s always lots of laughter, good tips, and sharing.
Jennifer and I are in the community every single day, talking with members, swapping stories, answering questions, and just enjoying the company. It feels like family, because it truly has become one.
So if you have been looking for a place where you belong, where people are kind, helpful, fun, and as excited about the RV Lifestyle as you are, we would love to invite you to join us. Our RVCommunity is ad free, drama free, and full of good people who lift each other up. We have a host of new features and resources we will be adding over the next few weeks and it is only going to get better.
Just check it out. Go to RVCommunity.com. All the info is there. And then join us… Jen and I would love to welcome you in.
And now, with full hearts, full gratitude, and pie waiting to be baked, let us move on to the Conversation of the Week. We think you are really going to enjoy it.
RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – RV Retirement
Our guest this week is someone we met during our fall rally in Fredericksburg, Texas. We were at the beautiful William Chris Vineyards, where our RVCommunity had arranged a private wine tasting. The Tasting Room Ambassador that day was Jon Gruenhagen.
As Jon walked us through their award-winning wines, he mentioned that he was an RVer too. Not just an RVer, but a full timer. He told us how he lives on the road, following his passion for wine and hospitality, traveling from vineyard to vineyard across the country and learning the unique character of each grape growing region along the way.
Now, we loved the wines Jon shared with us. But what really struck us was his story. It is such a great reminder of how the RV Lifestyle can open up doors in retirement. When you are no longer tied to a nine to five job, you can finally explore the things that truly interest you. You can chase new adventures, discover new talents, and create a whole new chapter for yourself.
And Jon is a perfect example of that.
Click one of the players above and watch/listen to the interview.
This part of the podcast is sponsored by RVOvernights, where you can stay free at farms, wineries, and attractions across the country. Go to RVLifestyle.com/rvovernights and use the promo code “RVLDEAL” to save 40% of the already low $49 annual fee.
RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK
Are you heading out this week to celebrate Thanksgiving? You aren’t alone! AAA is predicting nearly 24% of the entire American population will be traveling 50 or more miles from home to celebrate, setting a new travel record. From Tuesday through Monday, Dec. 1 an estimated 81.8 million Americans will travel, up 1.8% from last year when a record was set. The majority of Americans will be traveling on the roads (versus planes, trains, etc.). So be careful out there and plan accordingly!
Grand Design recently introduced a new fifth-wheel frame – Omega by Lippert Components – that adds reinforcements and support features to its fifth-wheels. The new frame is built with thicker steel, more fasteners, larger lag screws and extra adhesives. Grand Design received much negative press in recent years for its rigs having excessive frame flex and a class action lawsuit was filed over the matter and this new frame certainly seems to be in response to that.
Ever wondered which U.S. state parks have the most snakes? We’ve got the answer! World Atlas just released its list of the top seven most snake-infested state parks in America—and some of the picks may surprise you. Number 1 is Alabama’s popular Gulf State Park, home to everything from nonvenomous water snakes to venomous cottonmouths. Number 2 on the list is central Louisiana’s Chicot State Park, where you can find cottonmouths, banded water snakes, timber rattlesnakes, copperheads, and rat snakes. Other state parks to make the list are located in Florida, Arizona, California, Georgia, and Texas.
One of Lake Tahoe’s most popular campgrounds will reopen in 2026 after shutting down in 2023 to replace aging, damaged water lines that were leaking into campsites. Camping reservations for D.L. Bliss State Park opened over the weekend. The park, with lakeside campsites and a stunning stretch of the Rubicon Trail, is set to fully reopen on May 21, 2026. Better get your reservations early. You can do so at ReserveCalifornia.com.
Remember a few weeks ago when we talked about the new electrical component all RVs were supposed to have, the grounding monitor interrupter, which would prevent people from getting shocked by touching their RV when hooked up to bad campground power? Well, enforcement of that rule has been pushed back, likely by about a year and a half. The RV Industry Association voted to delay it because manufacturers simply don’t have enough fully developed devices available yet to make the original January 2026 deadline realistic. The new enforcement date will probably sync up with the 2028 model year, around June 1, 2027, but that could shift depending on when enough of those devices are ready for production.
This part of the podcast is sponsored by Wholesale Warranties, where you can get the best deal on extended warranty coverage for your RVs. Starting January 1st, all RVs are considered one model year older, which means pricing and eligibility for warranty protection will change. Save money and protect your rig by signing up now. Get a free, personalized quote at wholesalewarranties.com/rvlifestyle
RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION: This is from Robyn and Rick and came via our RV Community: “Regarding winterization, should you take the sheets, blankets, and towels out of the RV?”
ANSWER:
The big concern is mice.
John, one of our other Community members, says that two years ago, mice destroyed a bamboo pillow and ruined his dish towels. This year, he is going to try vacuum bags and keep them in the trailer vs hauling everything in and out.
We agree and recommend keeping them in a container. A strong plastic bag or, better yet, a plastic bin.
We do bring them all in to wash them when we take off on a trip again and want them nice and fresh.
You’ve raised the kids. Done the 9-to-5. Now it’s your time.
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Dining and Cooking