This week on the Rv podcast.
What real Rv like and dislike about their
Rv.
And Alaskan Rv rental company has a abrupt
shut down after being accused of shady dealings
involving security deposits,
taxes that were not do and forging customer
signatures.
At Mike and Jen story time segment, the
end of this broadcast we'll share what we
learned
firsthand about why every hike in Barr country
should Cherry Bears spray.
All this plus the rv the news of
the week and your questions
coming up in episode 05:02
of the Rv podcast.
Hello, everybody. I'm Mike Wen, and this is
my lifelong traveling companion and my bride, Jennifer.
Hello, Michael. Just a quick reminder that you
can watch the video version of this Rv
lifestyle Rv podcast on our
Youtube channel. Just go to
Youtube dot com slash
r v
lifestyle.
Well, it's been a crazy week. Hasn't it
then? It's been very busy.
We're back.
Still recovering from our Rv lifestyle rally that
was held last week and ship,
Indiana in the heart of Amish country, we
called us the gather and groove meetup up
because,
on Thursday night, we all grew by attending
a concert
at Moto towns legendary
temptation. They were the guests. And, you know,
that some of our attendees are now calling
all those who went. We are now the
Rv I lifestyle groove.
Here we go. I like that name. Yeah.
You know, when we come back from a
trip like this is always
is a little embarrassing because after every 1
of these,
you and I tell ourselves,
this 1 was the best 1 ever. And
then I'm very predictable because I always say,
let's go back and do the same location
next year. But it was so great hanging
out with our friends and, followers last week,
and we can't wait for the next 1,
which is in October, and it will be
in Florida and October is
by all means the best,
month of the year. Don't you think for
our years? I think you can't beat Florida
in October. Quick remind you that we would
love it if you guys
would give us a review of the Rv
podcast.
Just use whatever app you listen to, and
please give us a review, we really love
those 5 star reviews that you send us.
And every time when somebody gives us a
review, it kinda helps us I get worried
about the podcast out through social media, and
it's just shared more, so we'd appreciate it.
Also,
if you have a comment or a question,
and you'd like us to address it on
the next podcast.
Our personal email is mike and jen at
rv lifestyle
dot com.
Is it hot enough for you? It's more
than hot enough. Yeah. We are in the
midst of, a heat wave that is gripping
the middle part of the country and it's
supposed to last, I think, all week long.
So
if you're out rv
in the middle part of the country, you're
gonna know what it's like being in Florida,
this time of year because it's hot
and it is humid, but hey, summertime. So
that's that's good. Alright. We're we'll take quick
break. When we come back, we'll get the
podcast really rolling and we'll start off with
a social media buzz so stay with us.
After countless nights in the road, we have
finally found the ultimate comfort solution for our
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Jennifer and I got the signature hybrid mattress
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In fact, so good, we actually got another
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Now swapping out the uncomfortable old stock mattress
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Trust us you will not regret it. And
if you use the promo code, Rv
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Again, go to rv mattress dot com slash
rv lifestyle.
Alright. Welcome back everybody time now for the
social media buzz.
And Wendy Boy reports on the hot issues
most talked about this past week on social
media,
and our Rv lifestyle community group. Hi everybody.
In our Rv lifestyle communities, mods in Diy
tweaks space. We asked everyone What is the
most efficient modification you've made in your Rv
to maximize space and utility. And there were
so many interesting things people shared. I have
to share a couple with you. A 1
thing that came up over and over where
people said game changer
when they got the snap pads.
Brian was 1 of many who said he
puts them with his fifth wheel landing legs.
He uses them there. No more wooden boards
just saves time and been a game changer.
Another thing that was shared was from Tracy.
She's said that she and her husband got
rid of their Ar mid bunk room turned
it into an office, and now they can
go camping more because they can work a
little bit from the road when Siri. And
Mark, he replaced the Jack knife sofa and
foundation in his Rv with a sleeper or
sofa. Now he's got more places to sleep.
And he's lost 0 sleeping room. And he
shared a pitcher in the new self was
super cute. And that's just again, a couple
things that people shared there and lots of...
It's worth reading. Lots of ideas.
Also in our community in the troubleshooting space,
we had a post recently from Alan and
Cindy. Now, Alan and Cindy, were camping in
Texas for a month. And while they were
there, they got ants, those really little ants,
and they're having a hard time getting rid
of them. So they ask for some suggestions
and even pest control products.
Some great suggestions here, but he said those
really tiny little ants from Texas are called
sugar ants. So not only do they need
to find out how they were getting in
the rig and close that up, but where
are they finding the sweetness, clean that up
and then spray. Bert said, to prevent them
from coming in, they need to spray something
at how long anything that touches the ground.
We're talking,
landing gear hoses
steps, power cords, tires, everything
to try to make that barrier.
And then a lot of folks suggested
chemicals that they had bought that they had
used or had heard good things about for
getting rid of ants included like, t liquid
ant baits, At Ant gel, 0 spray. So
good information there, and I hope Ellen and
cindy you guys got rid of those things.
And then over in our Facebook group,
I have to tell you about a post
from joy. Now, Joy was frustrated.
She says exhausted because she keeps spending so
much time and she getting ready to go
camping every weekend?
She said, by the time they... She makes
her meal list, go shopping prepares the food
loves it, then gets her bedding then cleans
the rig and then gets clothes in there
and then gets the toiletries, the paper products
and anna and on. She's just exhausted and
she's looking for some tips. On how to
just
streamline this, so she's not so exhausted every
time when she thinks about camping. And over
800 people, his suggestions for her, there were
a lot of really good ones here.
Many people said for food,
simplify it. Make a very simple menu and
have the same 1. Every weekend you camping.
That way, you have the same shopping list,
the same meal, plan, you don't have to
think about it, makes it simple. And you
can even order your food online ahead of
time at the grocery store have bring it
to the car saving more time.
For other items,
A many said, get duplicates for your bedding,
get duplicates for your towels, get duplicates. Even
for your clothes, if you can get duplicates.
Have clothes that you keep in the camper
all the time, close that you keep home
all the time. That way, no thought. You
clean them when you come in from the
trip you stick them back out there.
At your leisure. And then when you're ready
to go that's 1 less thing to worry
about.
For food and toiletries, people suggested bins,
it's easy to bring things in and out
that way.
Also, for people said for paper products, when
you run out of something, write a list
while you're camping, And then when you're home
at your leisure, we stock it. So that
way when it's time to go camping. Again,
you don't have to think about it, you've
already handled it. And that's just a couple
things there were so many good suggestions in
this thread and there are others besides joy,
who've got exhausted every time they need to
go camping. So hopefully that
post helped a lot of people.
And that's it for me this week. I'm
Wendy Bo, and I'll see you over in
our Rv lifestyle community or Facebook group.
But if you're not a member of, our
social media group's, Facebook Rv lifestyle group or
our new community,
dot rv lifestyle dot com. We invite you
to be a part of it. So much
good information. Yeah. There really wasn't every week
at amaze made. The new thoughts, the new
ideas, and I could really relate to the
woman who was saying,
she needed some help,
organizational
help to
pack and prepare food, and all that you
need to do to get ready for a
trip and then coming home and so people
gave her a lot of suggestions and things
they do to make that not so burdensome
That. That was great. We're gonna meet a
bunch of real rv.
In a minute. And we went out to
of them, these are folks we met last
week and in our and are gathering in
Ship.
And we asked them what they liked best
about their Rv. Because you'll learn some things
when you're shopping, and we ask what they
liked the least.
And sometimes it was the same thing.
How'd that work out? We'll stick with us.
Right after this, you'll meet them all on
our Rv
discussion of the week. Jennifer and I took
a trip to Las Vegas and Arizona to
look at wind mail acres, a brand new
Rv property being offered by West stern land
and ranches.
They're selling off 1 and 2 acre parcels
starting at only 14900
dollars Now these are big. An acre is
the size of a football field. The properties
are on a plateau with big valley views
and the look location is amazing. Next to
Lake Mead national recreation area. We had a
blast. There are so many places to explore
near the property
the Grand Canyon. We took a bold ride
on the Colorado river below Hoover dam.
Boulder city was a fun little town.
That's right off route 66,
and, of course, we had to enjoy some
nightlife in Las Vegas.
It's a lifetime supply of fun things to
do when you own a camp at wind
acres.
The properties are now available.
This is 100
percent ownership. So there's no reservations needed when
you wanna hang out, time limits or crowded
parks that you have to go through. You
can share your property, you can rent it
whatever you wanna do.
For more information, visit
Arizona ranch sales dot com or call 822232
land.
Welcome back everybody. Time now for our Rv
discussions of the week.
Our viewers have puzzling
relationships with their Rv.
Only an Rv can be a love hate
relationship. At our recent Rv lifestyle In Indiana,
we surveyed a bunch of the attendees asking
what they liked and disliked about their Rv.
Now, if you're shopping for a new Rv,
their answers may give you some ideas on
what kind of things to look for and
what to stay away from? Well, we've got
rita
and Jeff,
tell us about your Rv. What is it?
It's
2018
Forest River, 25 foot class C. And it's
the forester Forester? Forester. Yeah. What do you
like
best about it?
Tell Rita?
It it's a perfect size for the 2
of us. And we keeping in our driveway.
That's a big plus. In the city. Yeah.
And we can get anywhere with it. And
what do you like least about it?
Great question.
I don't know. We've got it pretty customized.
Diesel engine. You're you're tapping the Mercedes d
solar there the Mercedes example.
Just you know, it's scary because if you
ever had to get diesel maintenance,
it be Very experience best. We've haven't been
fortunate in it. So we. So you don't
like having diesel even though you have a
lot more tour than me... I like that.
And the engines last forever. We get about
4 he miles the gallon and can't complain
about that. Yeah. That's it's acceptable. It's better
than a gas.
And you sound a lot of power. Yeah.
So so the maybe expensive of maintaining a
mercedes. The potential. Expense. Yeah. Yeah always it's...
You have a major problem miss that Gotta
be pretty. Yeah. But this just gonna go
forever
They do. Yeah. They do that. I I
think would be fine. Well, yeah. It's a
nice looking rig and I really like your
license plate. So... Thank you. Yeah. Forrest.
Our road trek Cs adventurous, Colleen and Dick.
What do you like the best about this?
Well, obviously, we like to be because they're
convenient, easy to drive down the road easy
this store.
We give up a little bit as space,
but the convenience of traveling
little more economics works out really good for
us. And it's just the 2 of you
guys? Mostly, but you because I can drive
if I have to? Yeah. So what do
you like best, guys? What I like best.
The size I think is is a good
for us because we're not full time rv
ears
but we can get in it and take
off and be good 2 of us. Alright.
What do you like the least?
Probably the least is the same thing. It
is a little bit tight, and we've had
to learn to walk carefully down the corridor
between 1 another.
But once you learn how to do that,
it's not a not really a problem. So
for us in our lifestyle with the other
things that we do in our retiree years,
if it works just fine.
I at least. I like leash the beds
because I'd rather have a better bed and,
you know, more comfortable a little bit bigger,
but... It's a it's they're sofa bed? Yeah.
It's a sofa bed made into 2 twin
beds or but they're small at width. Yeah.
You know, I think we we both struggled
a little bit with,
enough
comfort, the the bed is really the bench
seat that bends down, and and
that makes it
a little bit more,
uncomfortable sleeping, but
I sleep well, I don't have sleep apnea
to worry about. So I I do just
fine.
Alright. Can't go wrong with an airs stream
Mike, tell us what what model is this.
This is the
20 21,
globe trout 27
front bed twin.
What do you like best about this. I,
how.
How it pulls down the highway. It's really
light.
Yeah. And it's easy to set up when
we get to a campground.
What do you like the least about it?
Well, sometimes,
the shower gets kinda small. But other that,
it's not bad.
So you an airs stream guy through through
now? Oh,
until you find something else. You just never
know.
20 23, leisure, travel vans unity,
peter and des spin, what do you like
best about this, Rv.
Everything, but, I guess the rear lounge
and the bed having a bed to sleep
on.
Peter What do What I like is a
separate
toilet area and shower
so that, you know, they're not... You don't
have to worry about? And what do you
guys like the least?
There's no put enough space to
store things. Not enough storage?
Right.
Indoors are outdoors you mean? Cool. Both. Yeah.
That's the trade off. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Yeah.
We bought... We purchased to talk up 10,
it's a small 1 for 2 people.
So when there's a of mosquitoes and bugs,
we can sit outside, but it won't fit.
Yeah. That's the problem with the smallest It
seems like the earlier models had more stories.
Yeah. I think so. Yeah. I don't know
why they they don't. Well you have a
beautiful rig. Well, thank you you very. We're
trying to get it cleaner here.
Thanks.
And we find Andrew
in the sun in front of his forest
river FR3
small, 30 foot class 08:34 11 inch. 30
foot 11 inch class say, okay. Andrew, what
do you like best about the FR3?
We like it because it's a great couples
coach and you can actually get into everything
when all the slides are in. So when
we're traveling,
if we can't pull our slides out. We
can still use the bed. We can still
get the refrigerator to the bathroom.
The thing I don't like about it
is when the slide is in the bedroom
with, the slide in the bedroom. There's not
a lot of room to actually walk around
the bed. You gotta do that. Sc. Yeah.
You gotta... Like, yeah. You know, my wife
claimed the the spot, you know, we where
you could walk up to the side, and
I have the other 1, so I have
to sorta, like, get up on the bed.
But I know in the newer models, they've
actually lengthen or
did something to it and made that look
a little room here. So what year is
yours? Mine's a 20 18. 20 18. Yep.
And it's a nice looking rig. Yeah. And
we enjoy it. We've we've... We bought it
brand new and
we really love traveling it.
What do like best about your Rv?
What do I like best about my Rv.
It's a 20 10,
and it looks amazing.
Still working out the kinks a little bit.
But
I think it's beautiful.
What you like least?
The little hiccups that we've had a long
way to figure things out.
Alright like, give me 1.
The batteries. The
rig batteries
are located
underneath the stamps.
And
when we ran into the problem because we
just got it. And so when we ran
into the problem,
they had to take that off, and the
batteries were all.
We needed brand new batteries. And that should
you think been caught when you bought it?
Oh,
I think so.
And the Rv dealer though
paid for new batteries. Well, yes. That's pretty
good. Yes. So it was a oh and
it ended well.
Bottom line.
I love it.
What do you like best? But your little
Rv, the Ins Gulf stream. Well, I love
that it's small, and I'm able to tow
it with my jeep wrangler.
And what you like
least
it's very small.
I mean, it's wonderful for 2 people and
2 small dogs. But I see all the
other large ones and I've been in them,
and they're very spacious. That's the only downfall,
but I'm extremely happy with my little camper.
And how long is that?
It's 16 feet. 16 feet. Mh. And you
tow with bumblebee b jeep. A jeep wrangler.
Yes.
So what do you like best about your
Rv
tell us about it.
1 thing I like is that it's
it's kinda simple and
It doesn't have us... Doesn't name any slides,
and it doesn't have
an aw. So I don't have those hassle
to do with.
It's very easy to drive.
It's it... Has a get good motor and
get get up and go. Easy easy on
the highway and
it handles really well.
And then I also like about it as
the interior. It used to be a
cruise America
rental
and they're making them very durable. The the
in interior is very durable and haven't had
really any issues at This is a a
class c. A majestic class c cab over
for those who are listening to the audio
version. So those are the things you like
the best. What about the things you like
the least.
Well, sometimes, I wish I had an aw,
right you know.
But that's okay. I, you know, I learn
to have that adapt and I've added some
of my own touches to it.
But I don't like.
It's the fuel.
It's The cost of the fuel is is
tremendous. And then if I was towing my
a car,
if it goes way. Way. Way. Alright. What
is the mileage on that What do you
get per gallon?
I I think I'll be lucky if I
get 8. Yeah. Maybe 9 if I'm going
downhill,
I have the wind behind me in kansas.
All said and done though.
This is pretty nice rig. But I enjoy
it. I really do enjoy it
What do you like best
about your Rv? This,
Eagle J fifth wheel?
Big. I can stand up in it and
it actually has a little office inside of
it where I can do some work on
the road if I ever need to just
to hook up to my Tv, my Hdmi,
and I can go to work longer. I
got a sell signal. And what do you
like least about it?
It's a little longer than I would really
want, but It tow just fine. And I
don't don't have any problems moving it around
the country.
How long is it? 42 feet. That is
big. It's big. Yeah. I've pull it with
that 3 quarter ton pickup right there.
Actually, it pulls so well. It doesn't even
know it's there.
But more importantly, more importantly, we got breakfast
here. We cut brian and sausage and... We
caught Brian while he was fixing breakfast.
I wonder if that was a coincidence. I
guess I will.
Look at that.
In my
It is always so much fun to get
chance to go in everybody's Rv and to
meet them and 1 of the things we
always do at our gatherings is we have,
we call the Rv crawl, and it's a
dedicated time where everybody it goes from Rv
to Rv and
it it's really fun. It's fun to see
how how people... Even with the same Rv
you have, how they have they've equipped it
and set it up. That's also fun to
listen to the things that everybody, the little
id
of of owning and Rv. There is always
something that you can learn from going into
other people's Rv. And you don't have to
do it at a gathering. Even when you're
in a campground, you get to know people.
And fight them in to see your Rv
and asked to see theirs, and you'll always
kinda learn something new about how to make
the Rv lifestyle
more fun. Alright. Lots of Rv news this
week. We'll get to that right after this.
Jennifer and I bought some land near Nashville
Tennessee a while back. We got tired crowded,
expensive campground grounds and worrying about reservations.
Tennessee is a gorgeous state with friendly people,
and it has been such a pleasure. The
same developer has some new property near us
close to the Natchez trace and Buffalo River
called the reserve at High forest.
Big properties, 5 to 41 acres, you can
build a house, a cabin or Rv year
round. Prices started at only 89900
dollars.
Your property, your way, 100 percent ownership. The
scenery in this part of Tennessee is breathtaking.
And the property is gorgeous,
garden,
landscape.
Bring your pets, build what you want. There's
high speed fiber optic Internet, and it is
so private. A great place to make your
home base ready whenever you want it. 5
to 41 acre proper from 89900
dollars. There's even great financing.
Check out the site and a video tour
at rv lands dot net. That's rv lands
dot net.
Welcome back. Time now for the Rv news
of the week.
So how important is good and Wifi to
you when choosing a campground
an interesting story of the weekend from Nbc
news put its importance right behind
water, sewer and electricity
calling at the fourth utility that increasingly
campers
demand. It's so important that campground
invest in reliable Wifi
before good laundry.
Facilities,
dog walks, and pickle ball courts.
About 40 percent of all campers make decisions
on where to camp,
based on the reliability of the Internet, that
number increases to 65
percent for Jan z and millennials.
And our social media platforms, we often hear
complaints about slow and unreliable Wifi f
because let's face it. Campground
Wifi is notoriously bad. That's true. About 29
percent of all campers do some work on
the road. And those who don't still want
to stream at the end of the day,
and Unwind in the same ways they are
accustomed to unwinding at home. Personally,
I don't think you can depend on campground
Wifi F yet,
especially if you need it for work. A
few months back on the podcast, we interviewed
some experts and what you can do to
ensure the Wi F is dependable for you.
It is so important and I think the
most
revolutionary change to
to that whole thing has been star.
You know, the satellite system. It really has
improved
the connectivity of
of Rv,
I'd
I can't even I think the last time
I'm even bothered to log on the Campground
Rv because it's so bad. Now I know
it's really costly for these Rv parks to
upgrade it, but
that that story that Nbc reported on something
that we all kinda know
it... If you go camping, if you own
a campground, you better have good Wifi F,
people are bringing their own and that kind
of helps. But
you'll get more people and happy campers if
you have good Wi f.
Alright. There was an interesting story. This is
the time year that everybody's plan to go
up to Alaska,
and a company called Alaska Motor home.
Is being sued by the Alaska Trinity General.
For stealing
thousands
of dollars and engaging at some pretty shady
business practices.
Is a popular Rv rental company, and it's
accused of charging its customers
2500 dollar damaged deposits.
Before they even picked up their Rv.
And then charging
consumers taxes, which were really not owed at
all.
And even forging a customer signature on receipts
to win a credit card charge back dispute.
Now, since that lawsuit was announced, Alaska,
motor home, abruptly closed
And this is pretty unclear. They gonna honor
all the contracts, signed by Rv viewers who
have paid money and are counting on Rv
this summer?
The state calls this whole thing unprecedented with
hundreds
potentially affected.
The Alaskan attorney general trying to get the
states
superior Court to ban the company from liquid
assets and is trying to force them to
tell customers who paid their deposits that they
don't and won't have an Rv.
Now this is happening at the start of
the Alaska tourist season,
and that the company's been trouble before and
frankly, this whole thing is is a mess.
We hope everybody who is counting on renting
an Rv from them we'll be able to
get their money back and salvage their trip,
but,
be aware
not everything is going well in Alaska this
year when it comes to renting an Rv.
Alright.
Now, Rocky Mountain National Parks popular marine Park
campground
is expected to be closed this summer and
fall.
Marine hat park is the largest and most
popular campground in the park, but it has
been closed for construction since May of 20
23. Last year. The park is undergoing underground
utility improvements to improve the water,
wastewater,
and electrical
distribution, so the campground can be used year
round.
And the campground utilities have not been improved
since it was built in the night sixties.
Construction also includes moving some campsite sites and
installing some new ones. Speaking of national parks,
free entrance. Coming up. So if you're anywhere
in near a national park this this week,
Wednesday,
today,
June nineteenth, as this podcast comes out. It's
free admission and celebrate of
celebration of the June
June tenth,
the newest federal holiday, by the way.
And it remembers the day in 18 65
when news of
emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas.
That was well president Abraham Lincoln. He signed
the
emancipation proclamation,
and noose took are you ready for this
2 and a half years to reach Texas.
That was in 18 63.
So June nineteenth became a federal holiday in
20 21, and this is first year, the
National Park Service
is offering free admission to celebrate, and there
are now 6 free national park days every
year
the next 1 after today, Wednesday the nineteenth
of June will be on August fourth.
So check all of that out. Alright. When
we come back, we've got Rv questions
and
Mike and jen story time. Stay with us.
When we're asked what's the most important
modification we made to our Rv, it's an
easy
answer. Battle borne batteries. Battle borne batteries are
quality safe, reliable lithium batteries
that allow us to stay out there off
the grid longer.
Lithium batteries charge faster. They charge fuller they're
longer lasting their maintenance free, and battle borne
batteries are protected by a 10 year guarantee.
Now in our case, they just dropped into
the existing Ag g batteries that we have.
And they'll probably be the same on your
rig too.
Ba born battery experts can get those in
your rig just like they did with ours.
They can also match you up with the
right cabling, the inverter the charger the solar
controller everything.
Jennifer I swear by our battle borne batteries.
They allow us to boo doc off the
grid, check them out. Go to rv lifestyle
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Slash lithium.
Hey, everybody. Welcome back. Time now for the
Rv questions
of the week, and just a quick reminder.
We'd love to get your questions. We'll love
to get your comments
and you can reach us at mike and
Jen at rv lifestyle dot com. What do
we got? Okay. Our first question is we
are headed to Canada this summer for a
long.
Trip. Our adult children are urging us to
get travel insurance that covers medical expenses.
Do you think we should? This is from
Anne and bill. Well, it's... For 2 of
that you would ask us that this week
weekend and, a bill because we have been
looking to that for ourselves,
we are, about to head to the Canadian
maritime with the group from Fantasy Rv tours.
We're doing that in the middle of July
and through, August.
So
the answer to your question is we do
think you should get
extra travel medical insurance.
In fact, whenever you leave the country, even
Canada, we suggest you purchase medical insurance.
There's enough differences between the 2 countries that
you wanna make sure that you are completely
covered.
If you're hospitalized,
it just makes sense to us that you
have all of your out of pocket medical
expenses,
doctor's expenses,
prescriptions, pharmacy stuff,
ambulances, if necessary,
the cost of a medical
evaluation, if you need that,
it gives you peace of mind in the
event of an emergency.
And there's a lot of different plans avail
level, just just search emergency,
travel, medical insurance. Now we priced a bunch
of them out.
And the most expensive was
1500 dollars for the 2 of us.
We thought that was a little high for
just a 27 28 day trip
for when we tour the canadian Maritime.
So we worked with their suggested insurance provider
and we found an excellent plan that cost
us 436
bucks. That's for the 2 of us and
it provides emergency medical expense reimbursement of up
to a hundred thousand dollars each.
And a bunch of other benefits as well.
As I said, there's lots of other plans,
lots of options, and you can spend a
lot of money if you're not careful. So
choose carefully.
The 1 we chose worked best for us
in this particular trip,
So, Am bill, we advise you to shop
around, and we're sure you can find something
that works in your budget,
but don't leave the country without that extra
insurance.
We think your kids are right. You do
need it. Peace of mind. Yes. It is.
Alright.
Time now for story time with My and
jen. And
this 1 is is a good 1 to
remind about because, the bears are all up,
and they're very active and a lot of
us are going to be spending parts of
the summer in bear country.
And you hear people often say, particularly those
out west that you should have
bear spray,
and you should.
Let's set the scene for this story. It
was a a height that we did a
few years back We were at Glacier National
Park.
And
we were rail long of swift currently lake,
beautiful lake on the west end the of
the part,
and we came across the bear. It was
actually stocking a female moose or calf.
Now remember was... We took off, somebody said
you know, could we've been telling about. Always
carry bear spray, and we said, somebody said
to do. We have bear spray and we
said, yes. Yes. Yes. We should.
And we're absolutely right. This was a very
short high. You wanna set the scene a
little bit as we started with? There were
12 of us. We had finished
having a lesson and
photograph, and we decided we'd take a little
walk
just to fill a few minutes. So 12
people, and we had 2 cans of bear
free. And
we should have had... Now we didn't have
to actually deploy any of them in this
case. But
because you know, it's a narrow trail, and
you have 12 people. You're all spread out.
You spread out pretty wide.
So
everyone should have had a bear spray. With
them everybody.
We had because we're... We do all these
videos. We recorded this whole thing.
And we're gonna play that for you now.
I think from the audio, you'll you'll be
able to pick up exactly what happened. And
from the video, you'll actually see a picture
of the bear. And the mousse that were
involved,
because the bear was stocking a Mama mousse
and her calf.
And,
well, here's what happened. So the thing about
glacier, we keep saying, you should take bear
spray even on short walks. Well, we were
on a short walk, and well,
Joe tell us what happened. As we were
walking down the trail, the 2 guys up
front with the bear spray said,
they... They saw a bear. And I was
about 10 yards behind them, and I was
watching the shrub move and then I could
see the bear. So the brown bear
went through the woods and started walking up
the
em up to the road, people were stopping
on the road,
looking at the bear, and I guess the
bear
decided to just parallel the road a little
bit and then came back down here on
this
grass area
and was walking over towards the wood area
to my right.
And then, Pat, you saw what happened? You
were we were together. What what was the
bear headed for? The
the cow
and her baby,
then she got up, and the baby got
up, and then she was in frantic mode.
Just going around in circles
getting on the trail.
I hid behind trees.
And that's where, I saw the bear. The
bear was maybe
15 yards
from the mama and her calf, and then
he saw all of us on the trail,
and he kind of veer off away. I'm
am convinced weren't... Or you guys that he
was going for that calf. He was machete
when we
see the calf.
Then we
we didn't have the bearish issue, but we
had a moose issue issues issue come. And
here's. Yeah. What happened with the moose?
Well, just trying to stay out of the
calf in the mama's way,
the calf decided it like the open trail.
Which I was standing on and ran right
past me, which gave me a little fright
because I figured mom was gonna
come get me, but
she was very tolerant. And as I stepped
off the trail to avoid the
the calf, the mom just went around us.
That you had the calf I was 4
feet feet. And Yeah. Now I should point
out that everybody's doing the right thing. We're
trying to stay on the way and move
away, but we got trapped between bear and,
mama Moose and her cow,
and,
tried to go down to trail and we
tried to get out of the way, but
Mama moose and the baby
followed us down the trail. So we had
to
climb up into the wood area
so that mama had a clear path in
front of her
and the baby to follow that down the
trail to get away from everybody. And all
I saw was mama coming at me with
her ears down, and I knew I had
to get out of the path. And there
was a gentleman up on the road that
was telling me to move faster.
So I was going through the mosquitoes up
that road.
So
who gives good hikes. That's all I wanna
say.
Forgot to Hyde. That's the 10 minutes our
t shirt.
Yeah. But we're not back yet.
So as you saw the moose in her
calf, moved down down the path, Jennifer got
out of the way, and they went back
towards the campground,
and we know that they went in the
in the campground there at Glacier because,
the rangers chased them out.
This moose obviously chose people to protect her
calf and for good reason.
People better than not be at our own.
Safety and numbers. And later we learned from
a ranger that there had been 2 calves,
but the barrett had killed and eaten 1
of them just a day before. So
I'm glad that the bear moved down. We
didn't have to use our bear spray. But
you don't know how fast the bear encounter
can happen.
And it can happen that quick and in
very popular areas.
So my hand was near the bear spray.
I was ready for it, but
fortunately,
the bear
didn't need it. Man that gives you adrenaline,
always
carry
bear spray, and
it should be fresh bear ready. Yes. Don't
keep it year to year. Right. They say
to buy new bear spray every year. Every
year.
Alright. That's our story of the week.
We'd love to hear from you guys, send
us your comments, your questions,
Mike and jen at rv lifestyle dot com.
Alright. This is a great day
to have a great day. We'll see you
guys down the road next week. Happy trails.