The Mile Marker

Access The Mile Marker archives. FMCA’s monthly e-newsletter – The Mile Marker — is a reflection of FMCA’s members and of the fun of RVing. Learn how an FMCA member benefit came to the rescue or helped to make life on the road easier. Check out photos of favorite travel spots. Read about a destination or a tip to make RVing even better.

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2024

January 2024 – Ramp up your RV Adventures!

Embark on a journey of technological marvels designed to level up your RV lifestyle! This month we’re sharing a handpicked selection of cutting-edge gadgets that redefine convenience and comfort on the road.

February 2024 – Safe Travels = Happy Trails

As we embrace the joys of RVing and the open road, safety remains a top priority. This month’s Mile Marker is packed with essential tips to ensure your journeys are not only exciting but also secure. From navigating diverse weather conditions to staying connected responsibly, we’ve got you covered.

March 2024 – Animals On the Move

RVing with the family often involves bringing our four-legged friends along for the ride. Look around any campground and you’ll spot canines being walked or romping in a dog park, or felines perched strategically near a window to glean a view of the world outside their RV.

April 2024 – Celebrating Community

This month, we explore the social side of RVing, where friendships are formed in person and on social media, bridging the miles between travelers. Whether you’re in search of travel advice, campground recommendations, or a sense of belonging, our community is here to welcome you with open arms.

May 2024 – Adventure Peaks

Get ready to pack up your RVs and embrace the spirit of exploration as FMCA gears up for an unforgettable experience in Redmond, Oregon, for our next International Convention & RV Expo, “Adventure Peaks”! In mid-August, RV enthusiasts will travel across North America and converge in this picturesque location for a celebration of all things RV.

June 2024 – FMCA Means Family 

As the summer sun casts its warm glow across the roads, it signals fun journeys ahead — and the perfect time for family reunions. This month’s newsletter is dedicated to celebrating the essence of family, especially within our FMCA community. Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones, sharing stories from the road, or creating new memories, family reunions remind us of the strong bonds that unite us. Our FMCA chapters symbolize this spirit of family togetherness, offering a sense of belonging and support to all members. In this edition, we’ll dive into planning for family reunions at campgrounds — whether with relatives or chapter members — and discuss how to join, find, and form a chapter.

July 2024 – RVing Into Yesteryear

As summer continues its lazy, hazy ways, encouraging RVers to hit the road for new adventures, nostalgia trips can be part of the journey. Need ideas? Read below, as this month we explore “vintage.” From FMCA’s beginnings in July 1963 and a granite monument in Maine that commemorates the association’s founding, to celebrating decades of iconic motorhomes and travel trailers in museums and videos, we’re delighted to share a load of historical RV whimsy. In addition, we offer some commonsense tips for staying cool in your RV when the mercury rises, provide healthy-yet-yummy ideas for snacking on the road, and spotlight some FMCA benefits to enhance your road trips.

August 2024 – Fun, Games, And Exploration

RVing opens up a treasure chest of exciting new sights, foods, experiences, and destinations. Get on the open road and travel near or far. Visit relatives, perhaps in a new-to-you city. Explore a state, provincial, or national park. As RV travelers know, the fun and flexibility of a home on wheels makes road trips so much better.

September 2024 – Get Fit. Get Going!

As daylight wanes a little more each day and temperatures drop in parts of North America, some folks anticipate a new season. September means fall is coming! It’s an excellent time to be outdoors, experiencing the beauty of late summer and early autumn. It’s also a great opportunity to become, or stay, physically active. As author/entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”

October 2024 – Fall For Fire Safety

Fall is many folks’ favorite season, and why not? Spiced pumpkin lattes; multicolored forests; and pumpkins and gourds and cornstalks galore. In cooler climates, people start spending more time indoors. So, it seems appropriate to mention fire safety, too.

November 2024 – Giving Thanks

November is traditionally a month to pause and be grateful. We express appreciation for our family, our friends, our freedoms — and for the RV life, of course. In this issue of the Mile Marker, we touch on these areas, and more. Military campgrounds, new RVs, FMCA member benefits, Thanksgiving fun . . . we’re here to help you fill the month with good thoughts and happiness.


2023

January 2023 – Wherever You Go, There You Are

During this first month of the new year, do you hear the open road calling? Are you paging through Family RVing magazine or reading FMCA.com’s travel blogs, wistfully thinking of your next trip? Or are you out and about in your RV now, looking to add to your adventures?

February 2023 – All About Canada, Eh?

Yes, that’s right, buddy! This month we shine the spotlight on Canada, and much more. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help you plan your next trip to the second-largest country in the world. With its sprawling wilderness and endless beauty, you would be hard-pressed to not enjoy your stay there.

March 2023 – Seeing Green

In this month’s GREEN edition of FMCA’s Mile Marker, we are going to touch on everything green. Green as in St. Patrick’s Day, and celebrating your Irish heritage. Green as in living green, aka ecofriendly. Green as in FMCA’s 106th International Convention & RV Expo, LUCKY 13. Green as in FMCA benefits and discounts that not only can save you some green but can help you conserve energy to continue to run/RV green.

April 2023 – Swing Into Spring

No matter the geographic location, spring can lift one’s spirits. The sweet breezes, blooms, and bird songs that fill this season may motivate RVers to hit the road soon. Oh, the anticipation!

May 2023 – Wandering To Wyoming

The “Cowboy State,” aka Wyoming, received its nickname in the early 1900s. The name was fitting given the number of ranches the state was and still is home to, and because of the adoption of the bucking bronco symbol as the state logo. Wyoming is also known as Big Wyoming, because of its sheer size, and as the Equality State, since it was the first to give women the right to vote.

 

June 2023 – Learn Something New

If you’ve been RVing for a while, we hope you’ve racked up miles of great memories. If you’re new to it all . . . are still thinking of taking the plunge . . . or are considering moving to another type of RV, you may wonder where to begin. Never fear! The RV community can help.

 

July 2023 – Happy 60th, FMCA!

In July 1963:

. . . ZIP codes were introduced in the United States.

. . . Lisa Kudrow — who later starred in the hit TV show “Friends – was born.

. . . Pitching greats Juan Marichal (San Francisco Giants) and Warren Spahn (Milwaukee Braves) dueled for 16 scoreless innings until the Giants’ Willie Mays hit a home run to end the game.

 

August 2023 – Working, Learning, And Enjoying Life On The Road

With an increasing number of companies offering employees the option to work from home, and given today’s technology, more and more people are realizing they can work from anywhere! And many have concluded that “anywhere” might as well be somewhere scenic; someplace with comfortable temperatures; and a location with plenty of fun things to see and do outside office hours. Enter the RV, the ideal rolling office. This month we’re sharing tips for working while traveling, including information about RVs with dedicated office space.

 

September 2023 – Take A Walk On The Wild Side

Among the natural wonders that await exploration by RVers is wildlife. An amazing variety of creatures great and small can be spotted while traveling throughout the United States and Canada. Wildlife watching is a fun pastime and can be enjoyed on many levels depending on your interests.

 

October 2023 – The Magic of Fall

Embrace the vibrant hues of autumn as leaves transform into their iconic golds and oranges, and the air turns crisp with the promise of thrills and adventure. In cooler climates, it’s that time of year when flannel-clad travelers seek the charm of pumpkin patches and orchards. This month, we invite you to join us as we explore the enchanting world of u-pick orchards, where the joy of harvesting your own fruit awaits. But our journey doesn’t stop there. Fall also unveils the charm of wineries and the comforting embrace of bourbon. Join us as we dive into the rich tapestry of experiences that make fall beautiful.

 

November 2023 – Let’s Get Together

As the crisp autumn air settles in, the joy of tailgating fills parking lots outside busy stadiums, creating a symphony of cheers and camaraderie. Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving celebrations invite us to embrace tradition and togetherness, as tables filled with delicious feasts are shared with loved ones. On November 11, our hearts swell with gratitude as we honor U.S. and Canadian veterans, acknowledging their sacrifice and service. And World Kindness Day reminds us of the power of a simple act of compassion.

 

December 2023 – Always Time To Plan

Although it’s still December — a month typically filled with family, friends, celebrations, and perhaps some reflecting upon the waning year — 2024 is peeking around the corner. Before we know it, the world will awaken to brand-new adventures — including the call of the open road for RV travelers. Picture the freedom of cruising scenic byways, setting up camp under starlit skies, and creating memories that linger like the fragrance of spring blossoms. Join us in embracing the spirit of RV travel, where every road becomes a canvas for unforgettable moments.  


2022

January 2022 – A New You In 2022

The calendar has finally flipped to the new year, bringing with it hopes and dreams for the days ahead. Are you one to make a list of resolutions and dive into them? Or do you pooh-pooh that idea, choosing to live your best life as you’ve already been doing?

February 2022 – How Do We Love Thee?

Let us count the ways. Since 1963, FMCA has been helping RVers do what they love, and we love doing this.

March 2022 – The Learning Never Stops

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? If you are done with your formal schooling, there’s still a chance to learn something new every day. Even if you don’t realize it! This month’s Mile Marker is all about learning new things while you enjoy the RV lifestyle.

April 2022 – Stewards Of The Earth

April is filled with dates that recognize humans’ efforts to make the world a better place. Among them are Volunteer Recognition Day (April 20), Earth Day (April 22), and Arbor Day (April 29). In addition, all of April has been proclaimed National Volunteer Month.

May 2022 – RVing With Pets

Many folks already know the benefits associated with having a pet. Their need for exercise and care translates to more activity for their human counterparts. Plus, having a dog, cat, or other critter can improve one’s overall well-being.

June 2022 – Nourishment For The Soul

Whether we are cooking, eating, sharing, or talking about food, the one thing we can count on is that it brings us together. So, we decided to cook up a newsletter about food. It includes some of our favorite recipes, important information about how to select an RV grill, and much more. Bon appetit!

July 2022 – ⛰️ Outdoor Adventures

The U.S. Department of the Interior suggests, “Get outdoors in the great outdoors.” Perhaps more than anyone, RVers understand the meaning of that message.

August 2022 – The Campground Is Calling ️

A place to sleep among the trees. A time to enjoy resort amenities. Or maybe just a simple stop along the way from point A to point B. . . .

 

September 2022 – Make Your RV Your Own

If you’re like many RVers, your living space might benefit from a little TLC. That may involve décor updates, organization additions, or more extensive renovations. The goal: to create a warm, welcoming environment in which to travel, camp, and relax.

October 2022 – Salute to U.S. National Parks ️

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” – Our National Parks by John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist and early advocate for preserving America’s wilderness.

November 2022 – Parks Galore ️

This month, we shine the spotlight on state parks — thousands of facilities across the United States established and operated at the state level. They’ve been preserved for their natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational features — often all three in one location. In contrast to many iconic U.S. national parks, state parks just might be the unsung heroes of outdoor recreation.

December 2022 – ‘Tis The Season For Winter Camping . . . And More! ⛄

December already! Once the calendar page flips to this month, it seems life speeds up a notch. If you’re fully immersed in the holiday season, you know the flurry of preparations it involves. Some might celebrate the season in their RVs, either as snowbirds or cold-weather campers. And that’s where we come in.

 


2021

January 2021 – Making Your RV Dreams Come True with FMCA

Travel goals for the new year, healthy living, cold-weather camping activities, RV Miles podcast, RV organization, mysterious monoliths, meal prepping

February 2021 – Travel Into History

Campsite date night, presidential places in the N.P.S., presidential home tours, George Bush visits an FMCA convention, mail forwarding for RVers, America’s Civil Wars with Fantasy RV Tours, PBS documentaries, national soup day recipes

March 2021 – Salute to Women’s History.

International Women’s Month, St. Patrick’s Day in your RV, Sisters on the Fly, Another Day in Perrydise, Autumn in New England Fantasy RV Tours, FMCA member savings, spring RV prep, Outside is Callings, National Women’s History Museum

April 2021 – On The Road

Taking the office and classroom on the road, Tire Savings Program, Working on the Go, celebrating the outdoors, 4th Graders Free to National Parks, The Spirit of Wyoming, Mobile internet for RVers, shopping discounts for FMCA members, Amazon Camperforce, a traveling RV family, roadschooling

May 2021 – Wonderful Wyoming

A look at FMCA’s 103rd International Convention, a new health insurance partnership with LIG Solutions and FMCA, hot springs and hiking, cowboys and indians, Fantasy RV Tours to Napa Valley, Campground discounts for FMCA members, Mother’s Day gifts, the Top RV Mistakes, FMCA’s Supersized Book Club

June 2021 – Outside Is Calling

June is Great Outdoor Month, get out and volunteer with The National Park Service, read about the United States’ newest national park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, experience “The Spirit of Wyoming”, gift suggestions for Dad, and creative picnic tips 

July 2021 – Just Beachy!

As July and the hotter summer months arrive, some of you are probably thinking about, or have already planned, a visit to the beach. If you have never camped at the beach, it may bring up some concerns that you haven’t thought about before. So, while you’re preparing for your fun in the sun, consider some tips, tricks, and favorites we’d like to share. Read on!

August 2021 – Squeezing Every Last Ounce Out of Summer

Whatever your August plans are — quick trips, long weekends, a staycation, sitting by the pool, or one last big journey — we have gathered some great information to help you enjoy anything you are doing.

September 2021 – Learning On The Go

It’s that time of year again when families with children start getting back into routines and preparing for school, but learning shouldn’t stop there. Take a dive into our monthly newsletter that provides educational information for everyone! 

October 2021 – Fall & Well-Being

Readers, this month, we focus on YOU – your physical and mental health and well-being. You will learn about the benefits of being in the great outdoors, the beauty that fall brings us, how to re-center yourself while on the go, and much more.

November 2021 – Counting Our Blessings

As the year marches toward a close, holiday celebrations come into view. For some folks, November is a time to turn introspective and reflect on the good in our lives. Despite our different backgrounds, ages, interests, and life situations, we all have things to be grateful for. Family. Friends.

December 2021 – ‘Tis The Season

For snowbirding. For winter RVing. For RV hibernation. All these are true, depending on individual RV owners’ circumstances. Whether you are actively RVing — in warm or cold climates — or just dreaming about or planning for trips you want to take in 2022, read on.

 


2020

January 2020 – New Year, New Adventures

Making 2020 travel plans, festivals in the U.S. and Canada, travel journals, cold-weather camp recipes

February 2020 – Quirky, Like Beef Jerky (What?)

Quirky places and roadside attractions, camping with Passport America, pipe cleaner crafts, FMCA’s app

March 2020 – Trail Blazing

Fantasy RV Tours, Food Trails, FMCA conventions, a new member benefit, a recipe for trail mix

April 2020 – Lighthouses

Briter Batteries, photography tips for RVers, must-see lighthouses, a new FMCA member benefit, RVing at the beach, making time for kids while full-timing, a pesto chicken and veggie recipe

May 2020 – Time for Plan “V”

Using your FMCA membership during the COVID-19 outbreak, virtual vacations, FMCA’s Digital Convention, passing the time in your RV during quarantine, a camping cookbook called “Eat Outside”

June 2020 – Out and About in Nature

Local trails and parks, geocaching, scenic roads in the U.S. and Canada, remembering “The RV Doctor”, RV’s for MD’s, International Dark Sky Association

July 2020 – Weekend Warriors

Weekend road trips, Briter batteries, finding points of interest close by, pet safety devices for RVers, future FMCA conventions, My Camping Dream, Sisters on the Fly, The Daily Smile podcast, plan ahead popsicles

August 2020 – Music to our Ears

Musical Fantasy RV Tours, How to save money with FMCA’s Tire Savings Program, historical music destinations, RV Miles podcast, mobile internet plans, and homemade hand sanitizer and mask how-to’s

September 2020 – Ah, Technology

Whale watching in Baja, FMCA RV Club App, WiFi tips for RVers on the go, FMCA Campground, Camp Like A Girl, Fall apple recipes, and 35 underrated YouTube channels for RVers

October 2020 – Flavors of Fall

DIY Campsite Movie Theater, Haunted Museums, Fall Color Driving Tours, Perry 2021, KOA Value Kards, Rent Your RV, Virtual Haunted Tours, Haunted Nevada Ghost Towns, and Pumpkin Decorating

November 2020 – A Salute to Veterans

TCS Fuel Card, FMCAssist’s new service provider, military museums, discounts, parades and memorials across North America, Fantasy RV Tours in Florida, FMCA’s 102nd International Convention & RV Expo, FMCA’s military chapter, COE campgrounds, Thanksgiving recipes

December 2020 – Flocking… Or Nesting?

Entering the slow travel season, RV financing/refinancing, prepping your RV for winter travel, holiday light displays, bucket list trips from FMCA Tour Connection, America’s Lonliest Roads, subscription boxes, gift ideas for your pets, holiday foods 


2019

January 2019 – New Year, New You

Bucket list travel inspiration, 10 cold-weather essentials to pack, RV books, New Year’s resolution advice

February 2019 – RV Friendships

How to check RV tire age, FMCA University, I-75 travel guides, using Your RV’s convection oven

March 2019 – Spring Travels

Spring festivals, dewinterizing tips, green RV cleaning, the “Ultimate RV Makeover”

April 2019 – RV Tips for National Parks

Trip tips for national parks in the U.S. and Canada, national park tours, Junior Ranger program, pet B.A.R.K. ranger program, Passport To Your National Parks Program

May 2019 – RV Tips for State Parks

Trip tips for state parks in the U.S. and Canada, RV road atlas, U.S. state park annual passes, U.S. state park loyalty programs, RV Family Travel Atlas state park guides, RV tire savings, DIY bug repellent

June 2019 – The Great Outdoors

Great Outdoors Month, FMCA Tire Program, Reciprocal Memberships, North Dakota state parks, RV packing tips from The Fit RV, summer trip packing lists

July 2019 – Christmas in July

Special offers and deals for RVers to save money

August 2019 – Full-Time RVing

RV essentials to pack, tips for RVing with pets, roadschooling, tips for full-time RVers

September 2019 – Canada RV Trips & Tips

Tips for crossing the Canada-U.S. border, visiting Canada’s national parks, backcountry camping, fall festivals

October 2019 — Fall RV Trip Tips

Tips for winterizing your RV, visiting the Griffith Pumpkin House, autumn color tour tips, prepping an emergency kit for your RV, KOA fall festivals, DIY blanket

November 2019 — Food and Cooking RV Tips

Exciting food-related RV tips, must-have cooking tools for RVers, a video review of an FMCA benefit from Lyf Uninterrupted, our top food festivals in the country

December 2019  – Bridging the Gap into 2020

Bucket list bridges across North America, learn to play bridge, and tips for navigating bridges, both small and large, in your RV.

 


2018

March 2018 – Prepping Your RV for Spring

Spring check-up for your RV’s plumbing system, cuisine along I-75, spring training/baseball-themed RV trips, how to handle a tire blowout

April 2018 – RV Trip Planning Tips

RV weighing, national park trip tips, route guides, Instant Pot recipes, printable packing lists

May 2018 – RVing with Pets

Printable pet packing checklist, printable pet travel record, flag etiquette, tips for camping with dogs and cats

June 2018 – RVing with Kids

Printable travel games, reciprocal membership programs, Full-Time Families, how to make foil packet meals

July 2018 – Full-Time RVing

Insurance for full-timers, “Are you ready for full timing?” guide, workamping, how to build a DIY movie drive-in at your RV site

August 2018 – Healthy RV Living

Local food guides, The Fit RV, discounted fitness and wellness products for RVers 

September 2018 – Fall RV Travel

Best spots for fall camping, campfire safety 101, fall foliage apps, Oktoberfest celebrations

October 2018 – Fall Fun: Celebrations, Spooky Campouts & Tailgating

RV tailgating tips, DIY fall decorations and Halloween costumes, corn mazes, Top 10 Halloween destinations, leaf art projects

November 2018 – RVers Give Back

Celebrating Thanksgiving on the road, RV winterizing tips, volunteer programs, RV rental

December 2018 – Winter RVing

Snowbirds, winter RVing tips, 5 must-see winter wonderlands, gingerbread RVs, RV holiday decorations

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