Shipments of RVs Continue to Climb

 This is proof that RVing and Camping is making a steady comeback. I am excited for people to slow down and leave the daily grind for a weekend away at a local  Family Owned and Operated Campground.


RV wholesale shipments continued their recovery with total shipments reaching 224,000 units for the year through November of 2010, an increase of 48% over the same time period last year.

In RVIA’s most recent survey of manufacturers, towable shipments have increased by 43% to 200,700 units through November 2010, up from 140,100 units through November 2009. Meanwhile, motorhome shipments have more than doubled, rising from 11,600 units in November 2009 to 23,300 units in November 2010 (an increase of 101%).

In the latest issue of RVIA’s quarterly forecasting newsletter RV Roadsigns, University of Michigan economist Dr. Richard Curtin now forecasts RV wholesale shipments to end 2010 at 236,700 units, a 43% increase over the 2009 total of 165,700.

He projects further growth in 2011 with shipments rising by 4% to 246,000 units with growth in every vehicle type.

On the towable side in 2011, travel trailer shipments are expected to climb 3% to 145,600 units; fifth wheels are expected to jump 5% to 57,200 units; folding camping trailers will increase by 2% to 14,000 units; and truck campers will see an 8% rise to 2,900 units.

Motorized segments are also expected to see gains next year with type A motorhome shipments set to rise 2% to 13,300 units; type B motorhomes hitting 1,900 units on 19% growth; and type C motorhomes increasing by 8% to 11,100 units.

Thanks   Chris

How To Build a Campfire

                 How to build a Campfire...for beginners of course.    



 I have seen hundreds of campers that can NOT get their fire started. I think this is a fast and entertaining video on making a successful fire for beginners. If your interested in buying a fire ring that you can travel with, click on the my Cabelas link on the right and you can purchase many different rings of many designs. Most campgrounds supply some sort of fire ring. These rings maybe steel or stone.

              Please be careful and responsible with your fire. To take the Smokey the Bear Pledge Click Here.

Enjoy the video and lets go camping!
Chris

Mountain Pies & Pie Irons

Lets talk Mountain Pies (Hobo Pies)  I have been making and more importantly eating these things since I was a kid. I thought it was time to talk about it.

Here's what you need to start:
I like the double pie Iron from Cabelas. It works great and someone else always wants the extra pie you just made. You can find all these Pie makers by clicking on my Cabelas link to the right of this post. Thanks

 Mountain Pies, also called hobo pies among other things, are a sure fire campfire hit. These mountain pies can be filled with many ingredients to be a main dish, a quick snack or even a scrumptious desert.

These are simply 2 pieces of buttered bread (white or wheat or whatever) which are filled and then grilled to perfection. Every thing tastes better over a campfire so try these quick ideas on your next camping vacation.You can also replace butter with a healthy shot of Butter Flavored Pam on your Pie iron.

Mountain or hobo pies are small hot pockets of bread that are cooked over a campfire. You can fill these with all sorts of good foodstuff. These have many names, and are made all over the world in different cultures, so you are sure to find your favorites.

Here are some ideas frequently used.

AppleJackMountain Pies
Please butter your bread and add in fresh slices of apples, apple pie filling, or even applesauce. Sprinkle on cinnamon, raisins and cook as directed.

Pizza hobo pies
If you wish to create a Pizza hobo version, prepare your bread and top with your favorite pizza sauce. Add in the sausage, pepperoni, cheese, or other ingredients and cook as directed. Do not over stuff your pie as the hot filling will run out and you may get burnt.

Meat and Cheese
If you have chunks of chicken, pork, beef or sausage left from summer, toss them on two pieces of bread. There is no better comfort food than a grilled ham and cheese, but in this twist, you can use chunks of ham or a variety of cheeses. Use you imagination and come up with something creative for your family.

Basically you can stick anything in these units you want. Hope to see you using your Pie Irons the next time your out camping!       . Please Comment with any of your own Recipes .. Thanks 

Chris

Norcold Refer Recall IMPORTANT

I have had several emails about this NORCOLD Refer recall.

                                                            Here is what Norcold is saying

"It is important to implement this safety enhancement to prevent an unsafe elevation in the temperature of the cooling unit should the unit fail in operation. This enhancement seeks to minimize the risk of injury or death due to fire."

That sounds great doesn't it.

If you have a Norcold Refer in your unit please click the following link and get it taken care of!

 Norcold Recall 


 Heres where to look for your model!

Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date as soon as possible. A remedy kit, and the labor to install it, is free to the consumer.

Call Norcold at 1-800-767-9101 with any questions; and to obtain the location of the nearest Norcold Service Center.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in a fire causing injury or death.
 

Please email me if you can not find a dealer or place to have this taken care of and I will help you out!
Chris

RV Rentals

RV rentals are an excellent way to spend a vacation with family and friends. Renting an RV can also be an answer for less mobile people to get from A to B. I have known many families that have taken a grandparent to a family reunion or on a trip in a rental RV because its much more comfortable for them to travel.

We often rented RV's for the golf trip and I have a friend that rented on for a bachelorette party. I guess for that group the idea of their "own" bathroom was a plus
You can Rent just about any type of RV you can think of. Pop ups to Class A motorcoaches, you can rent them all. Most states require no additional driving license other than your normal everyday basic license. Below I will discuss some of your options.

Class C Rental Drivers Area

Cruise America is probably the biggest "chain" of RV rental units. You can find a Cruise America in most major cities and are very user friendly. They generally rent class C motorhomes (van front end). These coaches give the normal society the feeling of still being in a van and not a coach.

If you don't find what your looking for on that large commercial site go to your local RV dealer. I know for a fact that my local RV dealer, Endless Summer RV's rents everything from pop-ups to class A motorhomes. Just stop in and talk to the owner/manager and discuss with them your needs and ideas and they will surely help you.

Available for Rental @ Endless Summer RV

 

 

                                                                     Endless Summer RVs

Also when your renting an RV and making a camping reservation, be sure and let the office know when you call that your renting and they will give you any extra assistance they can when you arrive. So load up your fridge and clothes map out a trip or just start driving. Renting an RV can be an easy and exciting travel idea.

If you have any questions email me and I will be glad to answer them.
Keep on Campin!

Chris

Great Place to buy pocket Multi-Tools!

I have been shopping for a new pocket multi-tool. I have found the best selection and competitive prices here!

Pocket multi tools are small enough to fit in your pocket and have a wide variety of different tools that you may need in case of an emergency. We provide free shipping on most products in the pocket multi tool section that exceed $29.95. Tactical Store product experts are here to help you with your questions about pocket multi tools. Get your pocket multi tools right now!

Here is my favorite:

Leatherman MUT Multi Tool



Tactical Store

Gettysburg Bike Week - July 6-9, 2011

Gettysburg Bike Week Camping Packages
 Granite Hill Camping Resort
Gettysburg Bike Week - July 6-9, 2011

If you haven't heard, Gettysburg Bike Week is moving to Granite Hill in 2011!
GBW brings together tens of thousands of riders and enthusiasts from across the country.
Granite Hill Camping Resort is proud to host the 10th Anniversary Gettysburg Bike Week and
is excited to welcome riders this July. This year's festivities and huge live concerts with
The Charlie Daniels Band, Blackberry Smoke, and KIX will be held at Granite Hill.

For your convenience over 400 all-inclusive Bike Week Camping Packages will be offered.
Bike Week Camping Packages go on sale right here on February 1st! Don’t delay secure your on-site camping space today!


Rough site $199
Electric/Water site $299
Electric/Water/Sewer site $399
Rustic Cabin $499

Includes:
Camping for TWO people for four nights (7/6-9, 2011)
Use of camping resort facilities
TWO-4DAY Gettysburg Bike Week event passes
Single Rider ... $129


Includes:
ROUGH TENTING on Berger Hill only for ONE person for four nights. (7/6-9, 2011) no automobiles. Single riders only.
Use of camping resort facilities
ONE – 4DAY Gettysburg Bike Week event pass
Guest Pass ... $129


Includes:
Camping at a package holder’s site OR camping at package holder’s cabin, space permitting.
Use of camping resort facilities
ONE – 4DAY Gettysburg Bike Week event pass
Children
Children under 12 ... FREE with paying adult
Children 12-17 ... $50 with paying adult
Minors must be accompanied by paying adult upon arrival/check-in. Unaccompanied Minors will be refused admission.

Includes:
Camping at a package holder’s site OR camping at package holder’s cabin, space permitting.
Use of camping resort facilities. 4DAY Gettysburg Bike Week event pass
Additional Fees
10% Admissions Tax on order total
$7 Processing Fee per order online or by phone

Cabins
Cabins sleep 6 people in one double bed and two sets of bunk beds.
The Cabin Package price of $499 covers TWO people.
Additional Guests in cabin (up to 4 additional guests permitted) must each purchase the Guest Pass/Single Rider ticket for $129.
Ticket/Receipt
You will receive a printable receipt/ticket with a unique bar code of your purchase at the time of online transaction. You must PRINT AND RETAIN this receipt. This receipt must be presented along with a valid photo ID at the gate to receive wristbands and gain access to the camping resort. If you experience an error message or service interruption after submitting payment information, it is your responsibility to confirm with Granite Hill Camping Resort whether or not your reservation has been placed. Only you may be aware of any problems that may occur during the purchase process. Granite Hill Camping Resort will not be responsible for losses (monetary or otherwise) if you fail to print, bring and present your receipt/ticket. If you fail to bring your receipt/ticket of purchase you will be required to purchase additional camping passes at the gate, if available, and your original purchase will not be refunded.
Packages can be purchased


ONLINE: www.granitehillcampingresort.com
BY PHONE: Granite Hill, 717-642-8749
IN PERSON: at campstore


Frequently Asked Questions

How and when are site assignments made?
Space will be held for all package reservations and sites will be assigned based on type of package and size and type of camping unit. Rough Camping is defined as tent camping or RV Parking without any hookups. All reservations for Rough Sites (tent or RV) will be assigned upon arrival based on type of package and size and type of camping unit. Site requests can be made in the comment section of your online shopping cart. We will do our level best to accommodate group and location requests. However, the mere presence of a request is not a guarantee. If you are familiar with Granite Hill and would like to request a specific site or if you are part of group and would like to camp together please make your request as early as possible, i.e. February 1st! Site assignments will be conducted by management in the order in which they were received on a “best available” basis.


How many vehicles can I park at my site?
Camping packages include space for 1 automobile and 2 motorcycles in addition to your camping unit. Some rough sites only have space enough for an automobile OR two motorcycles, in addition to your tent. In order to best serve everyone, it is imperative that you provide Granite Hill Camping Resort with detailed information at the time of your reservation (size and type of unit, number of motorcycles, length of trailer etc…) Additional motorcycle parking at site or on camping resort grounds space permitting only. We will be as accommodating with vehicle parking as possible but not at the expense of safety, access, or the enjoyment of those around you.

Can I park my motorcycle trailer/toy hauler etc… at my site?
If you plan to bring a trailer in addition to your camping unit you MUST advise Granite Hill Camping Resort at the time of your reservation. We will do everything possible to assign sites so that your specific needs are accommodated. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be space enough for multiple trailers, a vehicle, and motorcycles. If you have a large RV and a large trailer/toy hauler and you absolutely want to have your trailer with you for the duration you might be better served to secure an additional site.


Can I bring my dog?
NO. While we love man’s-best-friend here at Granite Hill Camping Resort, your neighbor may not. Please leave your pooch at home. Pets of any size or type are NOT PERMITTED DURING BIKE WEEK.


PA sales tax is 6%, why am I being charged 10% tax?
PA Sales Tax does not apply to camping. You are being charged a 10% amusement tax on the privilege of engaging in an amusement. It is a tax levied on the admissions prices to places of amusement, entertainment, and recreation. The 10% Amusement Tax will be added to your purchase total. 5% is remitted to Highland Township and 5% is remitted Gettysburg Area School District.


Can we get a refund if it rains?
NO. Gettysburg Bike Week is an outdoor festival and all acts will perform rain or shine unless the safety of the performers is at risk. As such, Granite Hill Camping Resort is prohibited from issuing refunds.


I have a problem, I bought the wrong package, I have a scheduling conflict, I can no longer come… can I get a refund?

NO. Before purchasing tickets, carefully review our policies and the tickets selected and in your shopping cart. All sales are final. Granite Hill Camping Resort is prohibited from issuing exchanges or refunds of packages. You agree that you will not attempt to evade, avoid, or circumvent those prohibitions in any manner with regard to camping packages you purchased. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you will not contact Granite Hill Camping Resort to seek a refund or exchange and you will not dispute or otherwise seek a chargeback from the company whose credit card you used to purchase tickets from this site. Should you do so, your package will be cancelled, and Granite Hill Camping Resort may, in its sole discretion, refuse to honor pending and future purchases made from all credit card accounts or online accounts on which such chargebacks have been made, and may prohibit all persons in whose name the credit card accounts exist and any person who accesses any associated online account or credit card or who otherwise breaches this provision from using this site.


I paid the wrong price. Is Granite Hill going to collect the balance due?
YES. If the amount you pay for a package is incorrect, regardless of whether because of an error in a price posted on this website or otherwise communicated to you, or you are able to purchase a package before its scheduled on-sale date or you are able to purchase a package for which an appropriate site was not available, then: Granite Hill Camping Resort will have the right to cancel that purchase and refund to you the amount that you paid. This will apply regardless of whether because of human error or a transactional malfunction of this website or other Granite Hill Camping Resort, Tix.com, or PayPal operating system.


What happens if I get hurt?
Limitation of Liability: You assume all risks incidental an outdoor festival for which this package is issued, whether before, during or after Bike Week activities, and you waive any claims for personal injury or death against Granite Hill Camping Resort and Gettysburg Bike Week on behalf of yourself and any accompanying minor.


What happens to folks displaying disorderly conduct?
Ejection and Cancellation; No Redemption Value
Granite Hill Camping Resort reserves the right, without refund of any amount paid, to refuse admission to, or eject, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly, who uses vulgar or abusive language or who fails to comply with GBW or Granite Hill rules. Breach of terms or rules will terminate your license to enter Granite Hill Camping Resort.


Can I record events at Granite Hill?
NO. Recording, Transmission and Exhibition You agree not to record or transmit, or aid in recording or transmitting, any description, account, picture, or reproduction of the event. You agree that the event for which you purchase tickets is a public event, that your appearance and actions inside and outside the venue where the event occurs are public in nature, and that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to your actions or conduct at the event.


Will Granite Hill use my picture in the future?
MAYBE. You grant permission to Granite Hill Camping Resort and the Event Promoters to utilize your name, image, likeness, acts, poses, plays, appearance, movements, and statements in any live or recorded audio, video, or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction made of, or at, the event (regardless of whether before, during or after play or performance) for any purpose, in any manner, in any medium or context now known or hereafter developed, without further authorization from, or compensation to, you or anyone acting on your behalf.
Do you search vehicles?


MAYBE. You, your vehicle, and your belongings may be searched on entry to the property. You consent to such searches and waive any related claims that may arise. If you elect not to consent to such searches, you may be denied entry to the event without refund or other compensation. The following items may not be brought into the premises, including without limitation, alcohol, fireworks, illegal drugs, firearms and other controlled substances. Alcohol will be available for purchase on premises.
Can I sell my camping package?


NO. Unlawful Re-Sale of Tickets; Commercial Purposes Unlawful resale of camping packages (or attempted resale) is grounds for seizure and cancellation without compensation. A package shall not be used for advertising, promotions, contests or sweepstakes, unless formal written authorization is given by the Granite Hill Camping Resort. Any use of Granite Hill Camping Resort trademarks and other intellectual property is subject to Granite Hill Camping Resort’s consent.


Is there Security at Granite Hill?
ABSOLUTELY! We will have 24 hour security within Granite Hill Camping Resort operating in conjunction with Gettysburg Bike Week security personnel. It is our aim to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all attendees. It is each and every attendee’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with both our facility rules and Bike Week event rules as they will be STRICTLY enforced.


Can I have a campfire or bonfire?
MAYBE… Campfires are permitted in metal fire rings provided by Granite Hill Camping Resort in designated areas only. All improved campsites have fire rings. There are a limited number of fire rings available in rough camping areas. As such, many but not all rough camping sites are equipped with a fire ring. If having a fire is of importance to you we highly recommend purchasing an improved campsite or arriving as early as possible. Purchasing a camping package does not guarantee you a fire ring. Additionally, a burn ban could be in effect in Highland Township during Bike Week time period, in which case no fires of any kind will be permitted anywhere on the premises. Bonfires are strictly prohibited at Granite Hill Camping Resort, the definition of which is subject to the sole discretion of the facility management.


Do you have a daily camping rate during bike week?
NO. Admission to Granite Hill Camping Resort during Bike Week covers 4 nights, July 6,7,8,9 2011 regardless of the number of nights you stay.


I’m riding by myself and want to stay at a friend’s site what ticket should I order?
GUEST PASS. You should order at Guest Pass for $129


How do I renew my site for 2012?
ONLINE. Guests who wish to book their same hookup site for 2012 can do so online beginning November 1, 2011. Any sites that are not renewed by February 1st 2012 will be opened for general booking. If you wish to book a different site for 2012 you can purchase your package online beginning November 1 and make your request in the comment field. Rough sites cannot be renewed, however, requests will be taken.

Freightliner Chassis vs. Roadmaster Chassis

Let the Motorcoach  chassis debate begin. In my career I have traveled in and sold just about every kind of coach on every kind of chassis. The biggest ongoing debate is between Roadmaster & Freightliner chassis. Which is best? The following information is of course my opinion.

Here goes,  When you look at a a Motorcoach on the dealers lot what are you thinking? Wow, that is a really pretty paint job, how many beds does it have, or what foundation is this coach built on?  Each person has their own specific interest in the coach when shopping and traveling and this is the skinny on that most important of items the chassis.
For me personally I think the two chassis manufacturers are like the difference in a Cadillac and a Corvette.
if you wanna cruise down the highway and kinda float along slightly porpoising as you rollover bumps and you don't plan on passing to many tractor trailers your a Freightliner fan. If you wanna fly down the highway feeling the road and zipping in and out of traffic the Roadmaster chassis is for you. Both companies offer horsepower to the limit including Series 60 Detroits and that is NOT an issue. Both companies use Allison transmissions so that isn't an issue either. Where the two separate themselves is in AirBag size and placement and frame/cage construction.

Freightliner generally uses 6 airbags on a two axle chassis. Two large airbags in front set over the axle and used on an IFS (Independent Front Suspension) and a set in the rear as well. If you look at the photo above you will notice the airbags are placed just outside of the frame rails and are quite large. These large bags provide a super smooth ride with lots of IFS travel for front end.  I feel that this placement allows for a smooth ride but handicaps you on quick turns and maneuvering on a left to right action. There is also a bad thing about IFS, when you stop quickly your coach will always tend to nosedive a little and also porpoise over bumps on occasion. IFS also is harder to tow if you would ever need to. It requires a pretty large stinger to lift that baby up!

Roadmaster Chassis generally use a minimum of 8 airbags on an two axle chassis. If you look at the photo above you will see in the front there are airbags (Red) on both sides of the front tires and placed as far out to the sides of the coach as possible.This system allows the coach to make erratic turns with ease. I can also tell you if you would slip off the side of the highway this chassis is a dream to recover. Airbags are smaller of course and pressure is checked 3 times a second to insure stability. This makes for a "sports car" like ride.

Another item that makes a difference in my opinion is the fuel tank material and placement. The Frieghtliner chassis has a poly plastic fuel tank and it is tucked in between the frame rails behind the front tires. Great capacity and lightweight. Roadmaster has a metal fuel tank that is spanned across the entire chassis just behind the front tires as you can see in the photo above. I like the fact that its metal and also distributes its weight across the entire width of the coach, rather than all the weight in the middle of the coach.

Another thing to consider is that the Freightliner chassis are made at the Freightliner factory and when completed sit outside until purchased or delivered and usually have a head start on rust and weathering before it even gets to a Motorcoach manufacturer. The Roadmaster chassis are built from scratch when ordered and built all indoors by the manufacturer. Yes, that means that when your getting a Roadmaster chassis you are only dealing with one company for all your warranty and service. Freightliner chassis and a different manufacturer allow each other to "Pass" the blame each other when you need something fixed pronto.

I could go on for days about differences. This is just a little taste of the differences between the two chassis. The bottom line is that both chassis are 100% tested and capable of providing the safety and stability needed for you piece of mind when traveling. They are both well engineered and backed by great companies. I hope that you consider both chassis when making this important purchase.

I personally would recommend a Roadmaster chassis because I like to drive fast, pass truckers, and like the handling/airbag design the best when logging miles on the way to Americas abundant travel destinations.

An old friend told me once...  "The Feel of the Wheel will Seal the Deal"

Get out there and drive both chassis and really put them through their paces.
If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will be more than happy to answer them, with my opinion of course.

Chris

RV Beach Crossing.. Enclosed underbelly I HOPE!

 Cant wait to see the comments on this one! I would NOT reccomend this!

Wind vs. Trailer ..... Wind wins!

Just a little wind and baby it's Over!
 WOW!

Shopping RV Shows? How to get a great deal!

Lets talk RV shows and purchasing units while at show. After having spent hundreds of days working RV shows as a sales proffesional I believe this is a great chance for customers to purchase RV's with discounts and better than average service to follow! Lets talk about why. First of all your chance to compare units with same features and floorplans in one spot is amazing. You can find two you like and go back and forth. Ask dealer staff for a brochure on a unit you like and ask him to give you a "walk around" of the unit your in love with. Take that brochure and go to the next dealer and show him the exact unit you just looked at and ask him to show you what you have thats like it. He will then show you his comparable product. Get the numbers and the interest rates.

Lets also talk about NOT goin into Every UNIT! This will crush your ability to be subjective on units. So..IF your looking for a cheaper travel trailer.. Just look at a few of them. Ask the salesperson where the units that your interested in ARE. Don't just keep meandering through until they all look the same. It will happen.

Now after arguing with your spouse over a bad 8 dollar hot dog with soggy fries for an hour about the design of the couch, go to the dealer who is WITHIN driving distance to your home. Take them the brochures, quotes, and rates you have filled your little plastic bag with and say to the salesman..."I know what unit I want and I want the best rate possible, and If you dont have it in stock lets order one and Ill give you a deposit!

This is how you get the best deal, and ...the BEST service after purchase.

Your gonna get the best deal because all RV sales proffesionals wanna sell at the show for a number of reasons, Bonuses and Ego are the two main factors. Nobody wants to go to the sales meeting on Monday after a show and sell just one unit and only get 2 leads? You can get a great deal here. The key words are."I would like to atleast get a deposit on something today". You can always get your deposit back within a couple days if you find out your salesperson is a dud. You can expect more interaction with an RV sales professional than with most others salespeople. So level with them, talk to them about your stance on credit vs. cash and incentives. I always gave customers who bought at shows jackets and such with thier campers logo on them at delivery. Just a nice jesture. They Like it!

Lets talk about after the sale service. If your planning on buying your unit and getting great service at a dealership where you DIDN'T purchase the unit, its gonna be tough. Dealerships are always gonna take care of thier own customers first. Its just a fact! So try and buy from your local dealer. So dont drive to Florida to save 4 thousand on a unit and bring it home and expect to get great service. Just the facts people.

I guess the bottom line is, be aggressive and compile a list of what you do and dont want in a unit and go with a salesperson you automatically trust and like. Make sure the sales proffesional also knows his stuff about the unit. Construction, weights, and RV systems are important. If everytime you ask a question the salesperson grabs a brochure or yells for a buddy for the answer, he's probably not the guy your looking for. Also at the show dont be afraid to ask if the Dealership owner is present, If they ARE thats a good sign that they care! Just an opinion of course. OH, and don't forget that most shows have the factory reps there that can help you out with a little bump discount if the salesperson needs it. Be sure to ask! Make sure you stop by your local campground and get the new brochures for the year. I always make sure I hit the Granite Hill Camping Resort booth when I am at a Show.

Finally,

If your in the market for an RV and totally confused and need some guidance just shoot me an email at Camp w/Chris and I would be more than happy to answer any questions on just about anything RV related. Even though I have moved on to Operations Manager for a Camping Resort I still stay up to date on most units, makes, and models. You will be surprised on what I might be able to help you with.

Have a great RV Show Season

Chris

Its Recipe Time Cranberry Orange Cookies

Hope you guys enjoy these cookies..They were a huge hit at my Christmas Party!

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Recipe Yield 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups cranberries (Prepared like below)
Icing:
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons orange juice

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions :

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Cranberries – Put whole cranberries in pot with ½ stick of butter and cook on high heat cranberries Pop and then cool in fridge!

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries(entire mixture). Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

Great Cookie For Breakfast LOL

Enjoy …. Chris

RVing with your Dog!

Its expected that over 6 million people will go camping this year with their pet. Here are some tips and ideas to make it a more comfortable trip for you and your pet.

Most Campgrounds like Granite Hill Camping Resort in Gettysburg PA allow and encourage you to bring your pet with you will camping at their resort. Of course there are basic rules which always apply when you have your dog with you in a campsite. One, never leave your dog tied up outside or loose unattended. Most campers respect other peoples pets but you never know what some kid is gonna throw your dog to eat, Like Chocolate! Make sure your pets have a place to stay that is temperature sensitive to your animal and always give them plenty of water.

Traveling and Camping can be very stressful on your dog. There are things that can help with this stress. I recommend Dinovite canine vitamins and supplements. They work great not only to give your pet the nutrients and vitamins they need but also to help reduce and recover from the stress of traveling. I purchase my Dinovite products at www.k9healthsolutions.com . Purchase online and they will deliver to your home or have it mailed to your camping destination so its there when you arrive. Hey did I mention Dinovite cuts back on the shedding! It's the best thing you can do for your Dog while camping!

While traveling with your pet in the RV its important to have a crate or area that the animal can be placed in to avoid injury on quick turns and stoppages. Also keep in mind that a loose animal in a campground can be scary to your pet because they no longer have the sense of direction of where "Home" is. Please keep these simple tips in mind when planning your next camping trip!

I hope you consider bringing your pet camping and enjoying the outdoors with them.

Chris

Winter Weather Camping? Taboo?

Camping in your RV in winter is not the taboo thing today it was in years past. Most of today's RVs are built to take the cooler weather in stride. For any campers here are a few tips to make winter camping more enjoyable. Oh, the reason I know quite a lot about this, is because I sold and camped in every different type of RV and Tent known to man in every weather condition.
Most RVs can handle some winter use, especially if the water system isn't used. The biggest non-plumbing issue camper’s face while attempting "arctic" camping is with condensation, in my opinion. With all the moisture and breathing inside your unit it easily blurs the windows with condensation. It’s and easy fix with Rain-X anti-fog. You can also bring your dehumidifier along if you want.

Most of you know when you bought your unit if it’s a “4 Season” camper or not. It you have an enclosed underbelly and heated holding tanks you are ready to camp. If you don’t have an enclosed underbelly just don’t use your water or holding tanks and use the campground facilities. It’s as simple as that.

So before you leave home for the campground in January get the propane tanks filled the fridge stocked and head on out. Once you get to the campground they will be able to provide you with facilities and restrooms to help you out. I know that Granite Hill Camping Resort in Gettysburg is open for guests, starting the first week in January and the Ski Slopes are just 3 miles away. Granite Hill also has a fully functional Bed & Breakfast for visitors in the winter also. So if you are getting “Cabin Fever” give us a call and make a reservation. I have found that some of my best memories camping were in the winter months. A Valentine’s Day trip always makes for a memorable trip as well.

I hope this gets you motivated to try a winter weather camping trip. If you have any questions about whether or not your camper is a 4 season camper or with any other camping or campground issues, please contact me via email CampwithChris@gmail.com or call (717)642-8749 X105.

Keep the shiny side UP!
Chris