The blog.

Through our blog posts, you will get an inside look at how we plan and prepare for our trips, from finding the perfect campground to meal planning, and how to pack everything you need while keeping it organized. We will also share our personal experiences and tips on hiking, visiting US National Park, and road-tripping across the American West, including the best routes, must-see destinations, and how to ensure safety while on the road.

if search doesn’t work click on any of these frequent topics we write about:

DIY RV Renovation: Updating the Furnace Cover with Spray Paint

In this post, Campfire Travelers shares how they transformed the bland, tan furnace cover in their pop-up camper with just a few coats of silver Rust-Oleum spray paint and clear gloss. The same technique used on the hardware was applied to the cover, resulting in a seamless, modern upgrade that matches the updated hardware. The makeover took only a few coats and is expected to withstand heavy use. Get inspired for your own DIY RV renovation with this simple and affordable upgrade.

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DIY RV Renovation: Transforming Pop-Up Camper with Painted Hardware

We recently transformed our pop-up camper by painting the cabinet hardware, including the hinges, with silver Rust-Oleum spray paint and clear gloss. The result was a stunning, brand-new look that cost only a few dollars and took just a few coats. The hardware was easy to install and the final result was seamless, with no noticeable differences between the newly painted hardware and brand-new hardware.

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Finding the Perfect Decor for Your DIY RV Renovation: Our Journey to a Cohesive Design for Our Pop-Up Camper

Deciding on a theme for renovating your pop-up camper can be a challenge, especially when trying to balance personal style with practicality. In this post, we'll share our experience on how we navigated these conflicting desires and came up with a design that met both our needs. Whether you're trying to make your camper feel like home or just want to add a touch of personality, our story will give you inspiration and tips on how to choose the perfect theme for your pop-up camper renovation.

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DIY RV Renovation: The BEST Way to Clean Your Pop-Up's Canvas

If mold and mildew have invaded your tent trailer or pop-up camper canvas you need to get it clean as soon as possible. The best cleaning solution for your RV is Bass Pro Shop Mildew Stain Remover. We can show you the best way to get your canvas white again.

Keep your pop-up camper looking like new with the Bass Pro Shops Mildew and Stain Remover. This powerful cleaner is effective in removing mold and mildew from the canvas, but be sure to waterproof the canvas afterward with a product like 303 Products. For tough stains, let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly for best results. Star Brite Mold and Mildew Stain Remover is also recommended by our readers. If you are sensitive to strong odors, please wear a face mask while using the BPS cleaner. For other renovation ideas, check out our main page.

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Introducing Our 1999 Pop-Up Camper Renovation Makeover Journey

Campfire Travelers shares their journey of transforming a 1999 pop-up camper into an updated and modern home on wheels for under $1000. In this post, they provide a before and after of the camper, showcasing the dated hardware and interior design elements that will be upgraded in the makeover process. Follow along as they share their DIY RV renovation tips and tricks, and join the conversation by reaching out with any questions.

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Meet the newest member of the family!

In early June, we purchased a 1999 Palomino Stallion pop-up camper! All five of us are super excited. There is so much negative feedback about pop-ups these days, but we knew this little RV is just right for us. Over the past few weeks we have been completely upgrading and redoing our new little camper to get it ready for our big Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore camping trip that is just around the corner.

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Camping Mandy Camping Mandy

KOA Care Camps Big Weekend

Every May KOA hosts this great event and it's open to anyone and everyone.  The purpose of the weekend is to raise awareness about the KOA Care Camps for kids with cancer - a week where they get to go have fun and try to forget the burden of their illness.  Most importantly it's also a weekend to raise funds for these camps.  As part of the fundraising when you stay Friday night at a KOA paying full price you get to stay Saturday night for only $10 and that money goes directly to help the camps.  It's a win-win for everyone!

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Travel, Colorado Mandy Travel, Colorado Mandy

Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the many jewels of Colorado. The size of RMNP is incredible - 415 square miles in size, over 300 miles of hiking trails, home to 60 mountain peaks and 4 ecological zones. I think what every visitor loves most about RMNP are the views. Really everywhere you go the views are amazing! The trails are fantastic and the wildlife is wonderful, but the views will make you fall in love.

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Travel Mandy Travel Mandy

Mt. Rushmore Travel Guide: A Spectacular Monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota

If you're planning a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, you won't want to miss the opportunity to visit Mt. Rushmore, the cornerstone of the region. With its rich history, beautiful views, diverse landscape, and numerous attractions, Mt. Rushmore offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. In this travel guide, we'll give you all the information you need to make the most of your visit to this iconic monument.

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Colorado Mandy Colorado Mandy

St. Mary's Glacier, CO

Last time we talked hiking we were sharing the simple hike/walk through Waterton Canyon in the South Denver suburbs. Today I'm back talking about a much different trail to St. Mary's Glacier not far from Idaho Springs, CO. The drive is out of the way and the glacier is even more out of the way. But let me tell you it is definitely worth every second. Google search the drive, they will give you better directions than I could, because I made Mandy drive.

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Food Mandy Food Mandy

Trying out the Popular Mountain House Macaroni and Cheese

If you're an avid hiker, backpacker, or camper, you've probably heard of Mountain House, a popular brand of dehydrated meals for outdoor enthusiasts. One of their most popular meals is the macaroni and cheese. In this article, we'll give you our honest review of the Mountain House macaroni and cheese, including its taste, texture, and overall quality.

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Camping, Colorado Mandy Camping, Colorado Mandy

Campground Review: Cabin Camping at Ft. Collins/Lakeside KOA

Spring Break camping trip to the Ft. Collins/Lakeside KOA campground - we definitely enjoyed our stay and look forward to a summer visit so we may utilize more of the fabulous amenities they offer. We're suckers for paddle boats and ice cream! Not to mention seeing all those big trees in bloom. As promised, today we are going to talk about our cabin experience. Our family has stayed in KOA cabins previously so we knew when booking our trip to Lakeside that we were in for a great stay.

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Camping, Colorado, RV, Tent Mandy Camping, Colorado, RV, Tent Mandy

Campground Review: Ft. Collins/Lakeside KOA

Ft. Collins/Lakeside KOA is a campground north of Fort Collins, Colorado, that offers camping accommodations. It is a Kampground of America (KOA) campground, which is a network of privately-owned campgrounds in North America. The campground offers amenities such as RV hookups, tent camping sites, cabins, and on-site activities like a swimming pool, pickleball, mini golf, tennis, fishing, paddleboats, and playgrounds. The Ft. Collins/Lakeside KOA offers proximity to nearby attractions or outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing and breweries.

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Camping, RV, Tent, Budget Mandy Camping, RV, Tent, Budget Mandy

Camping on a Budget: 25 More Tips for Saving Money on Your Next Family Trip

Camping is a great way for families to bond and enjoy nature, but it can also be expensive. From gear to campsites to food, the costs can add up quickly. However, there are plenty of ways to save money on your next camping trip. In this post, we share 25 more tips for cutting costs, including finding free campsites, cooking meals in advance, and renting gear instead of buying it. These tips will help you save money while still having a fun and memorable trip with your family.

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Camping, Budget, Tent, RV Mandy Camping, Budget, Tent, RV Mandy

Money-Saving Tips for Planning Your Next Family Camping Trip: 25+ Ideas to Keep Costs Low

Planning a family camping trip can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be costly. From booking campsites to purchasing gear, the expenses can add up quickly. However, there are many ways to save money when planning your next camping trip. In this blog post, we share 25+ money-saving tips for planning your camping trip, including finding deals on gear and campsites, creating a budget, and cooking meals in advance. These tips will help you plan a budget-friendly camping trip that your family will love without breaking the bank.

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Camping, RV, Tent Mandy Camping, RV, Tent Mandy

The written and unwritten campground rules you may have forgotten

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy nature, relax, and spend quality time with friends and family. However, to have a safe and enjoyable camping experience, it's essential to follow some basic campground rules, both written and unwritten. Some rules are obvious, like not littering or disturbing wildlife, but others may have slipped your mind. In this post, we'll go over the forgotten campground rules that you may need to remember for your next camping trip.

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Food, Tent Mandy Food, Tent Mandy

Taste Test: Experience the Delicious and Convenient Flavor of Mountain House Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

Mountain House backpacking meals come in a variety of flavors and types, including breakfast options, main courses, and desserts. Some popular flavors include scrambled eggs with ham, spaghetti with meat sauce, and peach cobbler. All you need to do to prepare a Mountain House backpacking meal is add hot water, wait a few minutes, and then enjoy

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Food Mandy Food Mandy

Camping Snack Idea: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

You say cookies have nothing to do with camping? We disagree! Think camping snacks. These cookies have been coming camping with us for as long as we can remember. I originally found the recipe from allrecipes.com and with a few small modifications it was an instant hit. I always make a few dozen before camping and store them in a disposable container.

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