The RV Atlas Podcast RVFTA Podcast Network

We are pleased to announce that Jeremy's new camp cooking show Camp Griddemore recently made its debut on Blackstone Griddle's  YouTube channel.  This show is all about easy, fast, and fun recipes that are perfect for the campground. If you want to step up your pancakes, hot dogs, smash burgers, and even your s'mores--then this brand new show is for you! There is a seat waiting for you around the campfire at Camp Griddlemore no matter where you are in your camp cooking journey. So we hope you stop by and leave Jeremy a like and a comment--and more importantly we hope that you find your next favorite recipe or a new idea for your camp cooking rotation.



New episodes drop every Wednesday night.



Here is a quick look at the first five episodes and a basic tip for each recipe.



So let's get camping! And let's get cooking!

Blueberry Butterscotch Pancakes at Camp Griddlemore





The first episode of Camp Griddlemore is all about making delicious Blueberry Butterscotch Pancakes with the Kodiak Cakes Flapjack and Waffle Mix. The number one tip here is to give those pancakes a complete butter bath! Watch the complete episode right here.

Reuben Sandwiches--Camp Griddlemore Style!





In the second episode of Camp Griddlemore we try to determine which is best--a corned beef reuben, or a pastrami reuben. Watch right here to find out which one Jeremy liked best! The pro tip here is to spread Duke's Mayo on the outside of the deli rye bread and toast it up right on the griddle!

Make Better Campground Hot Dogs!





Are you that boring guy or girl that only uses ketchup and mustard on your hot dogs? If so, its time to experiment with some different toppings that are easy to use and easy to find.  The pro tip here is to let your imagination run wild and leave the ketchup and mustard at home on your next camping trip. Check out these three awesome hot dog "recipes" right here!

Elevate Your S'MORES at Camp Griddlemore





We are huge fans of Dan Whalen's book S'mores around here. So we decided to make three of his recipes on this super fun episode of Camp Griddlemore. Which one did we like the best? The Elvis, or the Strawberry Mint Balsamic Glazed, or the Peanut Butter Cup and Jelly S'more? Watch the episode here to find out! And grab a copy of Dan's book for s'more inspiration. It is absolutely terrific.

Pork Roll, Egg & Cheese With a Sweet and Spicy Twist





Jeremy and Shawn the Camera Guy both grew up at the Jersey Shore where you can get an amazing pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich at any number of places. On this episode of Camp Griddlemore Jeremy cooks up a Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich with a sweet and spicy twist! The pro tip here is to add your favorite hot sauce to the ketchup and use pepper jack cheese instead of white America! Check out this super fun and super easy recipe right here! 



 

The Pacific Northwest is certainly one of the best places for camping in America--and many of the Campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest are quite simply amazing. On today's episode of The RV Atlas podcast and here on the blog--we are excited to welcome Brooks Smothers from RV Out West. Brooks is an expert on camping in the PNW and he is going to share three of his favorite campgrounds from his beloved home region.

from the RV Out West website...

"Brooks Smothers grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He has camped in the American West, from backpacking, to car camping, to van life in a ‘78 VW Camper, to a tent trailer with a young family and now to a travel trailer — he has experienced it all. RV Out West is a podcast all about RVing around the Pacific Northwest with some sprinkled in adventures that radiate out from there. On his show Brooks discusses sweet Northwest camping spots, gear and equipment, and tips & tricks — all to make your camping experiences as enjoyable as possible."

To listen to Jeremy interview Brooks about these three amazing campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest please click on the media player above or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows. Or simply read on right here to learn more!

Thank you to Brooks for providing the pictures for this post--and for coming on our show!



Deception Pass State Park (WA)



Deception Pass State Park (Oak Harbor, Washington) RV and Tent Sites

https://parks.wa.gov

Deception State Park is located on Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands about 80 miles north of Seattle. Its proximity to that great city helps make it Washington’s most visited state park--and so do its cliffs, beaches, tide pools and sunsets. This park, which recently turned 100 years old, is packed with coastal hiking trails and there are numerous places to launch a boat or kayak along its shores. There are three camping locations within Deception Pass. Cherry Lake is the largest and most popular. There are about 230 sites there and about one third of them have hookups. Quarry Pond is a medium sized campground and Bowman Bay is very small and intimate. There are some really awesome concessions here that are worth checking out. Blue Otter Kayaks is located at Cranberry Lake and does a nice job with a variety of rentals and Campstuff Coffee operates out of a vintage camp trailer right by the camp loop entrance to Cranberry Lake. Fidalgo and Whidbey Island islands are connected by the iconic and immensely photographable Deception Pass bridge--so bring your camera when you go. When it comes to campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest this is one of the absolute best.

from Where Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping



Cape Disappointment State Park (WA)



Cape Disappointment State Park (IIwaco, Washington) RV and Tent Sites, Cabins, Yurts, Vacation Houses

https://parks.wa.gov

For another epic coastal camping option look no further than Cape Disappointment State Park on the Long Beach Peninsula. Here you will find secluded sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs near the edge of the sea, and lighthouses that are as pretty as a picture. Bring your hiking boots and a rain jacket because there are many trails to explore that wander through old growth forest or lead to views of the park’s lighthouses. There are over 200 sites here and fifty of them have full hook-ups. The best sites here are closest to the windswept beach. These sites do have some shade and protection from the rugged stretch of sand and sea just beyond the trees--but plan on windy conditions and don’t leave the RV awning out when unattended. You may want to leave your tent or RV at home anyway and rent one of Cape Dissapointment’s 14 family-friendly yurts. They are cozy, comfortable, and heated--and just steps away from the beach. When it comes to campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest this one will definitely not disappoint!

Jake Erwin, a sales representative for the RV team at Go Power! explains eight RV solar power systems options appropriate for a variety of RVs and situations.

In our latest book, Where Should We Camp Next? Budget Camping we make the case that a Harvest Hosts membership is one of the great values in American camping right now. And the more we use our membership--the more we believe this to be true. An official Harvest Hosts stay is limited to one night--so many RV owners that we know use them as stops on their way to and from destinations. Staying at a Harvest Hosts location is a great way to rest up after a long drive, or to extend a great vacation just a little bit longer. Why spend the night in the parking lot of a big box store when you can spend the night at a winery, a brewery, or a farm? Harvest Hosts locations are also spread out across the entire country and there are over 5,000 of them. So it would be quite hard to visit all of them in a single lifetime.



The thing that we may love the most about our Harvest Hosts membership is that, while they may be known for wineries and farms, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of other types of hosts in their extensive network. How does a comfortable overnight at a minor league baseball stadium, a space museum, or a 1950's diner sound? There are so many cool locations for nostalgic Harvest Hosts stays--and many of them are also perfect for summer.



To listen to Jeremy interview Harvest Hosts CEO Joel Holland about "12 Nostalgic Harvest Hosts Locations that are Perfect for Summer" please click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 



To get your own annual Harvest Hosts membership make sure to use promo code ECLIPSE24 to save 20 percent.



Without further ado, here is a sneak peek at Joel's terrific list of nostalgic Harvest Hosts locations. To find out more about each one make sure to listen to our interview with Joel on the RV Atlas podcast.

1. The Gateway Grizzlies (Minor League Baseball Stadium)









How cool would it be to catch a minor league game and enjoy a cold beer and then be able to walk right back to your RV for a safe and comfortable overnight stay in the stadium's parking lot? At the Gateway Grizzlies Stadium in Sauget, Illinois you can do just that. Singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch takes on a whole new meaning when your RV is waiting for you out in the parking lot. When it comes to nostalgic Harvest Hosts locations that are perfect for summer this one is certainly top notch and fun for the entire family.

2. Peggy Sue's 50’s Diner









Is there anything more nostalgic than an authentic 1950's American Diner?  Imagine pulling into Peggy Sue's 50's Diner in Yermo, California after a long day of driving and parking your rig and heading inside to the counter to order a burger and fries. Or imagine waking up with the Calico Mountains as your backdrop and heading into Peggy Sue's for coffee and breakfast before hitting the road. Either scenario sounds terrific to us. Just make sure you say hello to Betty Boop before you go!

3. Galaxy Drive-In Movie Theater









Parking your rig for the night at a drive-in movie theater like the Galaxy Drive-In in Ennis, Texas and catching a summer movie sounds like a dream to us. And this isn't the only Drive-in movie theater in the Harvest Hosts system--there are a whole bunch of them. What an amazing slice of Americana and how convenient if you are traveling near one of these locations! Sign us up for an epic night in front of the silver screen in the great outdoors!

4. Roy's Motel & Cafe (and Old Gas Station)









If Roy's Motel & Cafe in Amboy, California seems like something out of an old movie--that's because it is. This location was often used by film and music video directors because of its stunning desert sunsets and nighttime skies filled with stars.

Utah is certainly one of the greatest states in the country for RV travel. It is beautiful from top to bottom and its "Mighty Five" collection of National Parks is on just about everybody's bucket list.  Zion National Park is the most visited of the so-called "Mighty Five" and it is truly one of the most famous and magnificent national parks in the entire world. Jellystone Park Zion (which is located in Hurricane, Utah less than 30 miles away) recently opened its doors to guests and it is already earning rave reviews for its attractions, amenities, spacious RV sites, and modern cabin options.



If you are looking for a place to park your rig or cabin camp on that epic trip to Zion National Park that you have been dreaming about--then you definitely want to give Jellystone Park Zion a very good look. Particularly if you are traveling with kids of any age that love to cool off and get wet after a morning of exploration and adventure in the great outdoors.







This park has an almost endless list of attractions and amenities--but here are the three most compelling reasons why we think you should consider booking with them if you are heading to Zion at any point in the near future.



The water attractions are magnificent and appealing for little kids and for teenagers and adults. Everyone in the family will have fun here. Whether you have kids that are thrill seekers, or little ones that are looking for little slides--Jellystone Park Zion has got you covered.

The proximity to Zion National Park and Sand Hollow State Park make both terrific options for day trips. Exploring the best that southern Utah has to offer and then coming back to the water attractions at this Jellystone sounds like a complete dream to us.

We find the prices here for RV sites and for cabin rentals to be very reasonable considering what the park offers to its guests at no additional cost. We stayed right outside of Zion in the summer of 2023 and lodging (like cabins and full-hook up RV sites) is not cheap in the general area. If you do a cost/amenities comparison between this campground and other private campgrounds in the region we think you will be pleasantly surprised.



To listen to Jeremy interview Scott Nielson, the owner of Jellystone Park Zion, and to find out so much more about this brand new Jellystone Park, click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows!



Let's take a closer look at the park's astonishing "4-acre multi-level water zone" which includes multiple water slides, a lazy river, a floating obstacle course, multiple pools, a hot tub, and so much more.

Water Attractions at Jellystone Park Zion

























If these pictures don't make you want to drop everything and book a trip to Jellystone Park Zion then we don't know what will. The water attractions at this park have to be among the best in the country. During our interview with Scott Nielson he also mentioned that they plan on heating the pools into the fall so you can go swimming--even on Halloween weekends--which sounds like a terrific option after the kids go trick or treating.



While the water attractions (and the location) may be the biggest draw at Jellystone Park Zion---they still have a heck of a lot more to offer. There are playgrounds, pickleball courts, basketball courts, two dog parks with obstacle courses, a jumping pad, and seriously--so much more! Let's let the pictures do the talking and take a look at some of these other amenities...

Other Attractions and Amenities at Jellystone Park Zion

















Whether you have littles that want to play at the playground or jump on the jumping pad, or teens and tweens that want to play basketball,

Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks is a terrific basecamp for exploring New York State's magnificent Adirondack Park.  After venturing out into the rugged landscapes, you'll appreciate returning each night to this family-friendly campground and it's two pools and other fun amenities.