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10 Summer RV Vacations for Retirees

By U.S. News & World Report

Memorial Day has passed, and that means it’s time for RV enthusiasts to get ready for their next summer adventure.

“RVers are creatures of habit,” says Jennifer Schwartz, vice president of marketing for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. “They go back to the same place every year.”

However, with so many great vacation spots, there’s no reason not to explore new stomping grounds this year. U.S. News talked to three RV travel experts to get their take on where you should travel in your RV this summer.

Alaska. The Land of the Midnight Sun is one of Schwartz’s top picks for a summer RV getaway.

“We get a lot of people from Arizona who travel to Alaska,” she says. “It’s a great RV destination because highways are in better shape, and [the state] has a different temperature and landscape.”

From whale watching to glacier tours, Alaska offers a number of activities that simply can’t be done in most of the lower 48 states. Vacationers can also stop in Anchorage for museums and art or head out on the open road for scenic drives and unique travel experiences. For Schwartz, the highlight of her Alaskan vacation was staying at an RV park in Valdez that had, hands-down, the most breathtaking view she’s ever seen.

Yosemite National Park. “National parks are always very popular,” says Toby O’Rourke, senior vice president of marketing for Kampgrounds of America. “We see a lot of RV business around them.”

And among national parks, none may be as well-known as Yosemite National Park in California. “[It’s] one of the most popular destinations for campers and RVers alike,” notes Dan Perlis, spokesman for Thousand Trails and Encore RV resorts.

If you’ve never been to this national treasure, both O’Rourke and Perlis say it should make your short list. You can camp at the park, but since this is a wilderness area, electrical, water and sewer hook-ups are not available. However, there are RV campgrounds and resorts outside Yosemite, which offer these amenities and may even arrange for a shuttle into the park.

Los Padres National Forest. For those who have already been to Yosemite, Perlis says Los Padres National Forest is another wilderness area worthy of a visit.

It’s a choice that may be best for active people who like to hike, as the forest boasts 1,257 miles of maintained trails. Los Padres covers a vast area, which means it is conveniently close to a number of California cities such as Carmel, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

Many campgrounds are located in the national forest, and of these, McGill may be the best site for RVs. However, even there, don’t expect hook-ups or pull-through sites. Instead, you may want to camp outside the forest where RV parks offer full amenities as well as some unique experiences. For example, the Rancho Oso RV Resort near Santa Barbara operates as a working dude ranch.

Lake George. Located in the Adirondacks, this is another top pick from Perlis. It’s in a region of northern New York packed with heritage and character.

Head down the Schroon River in a kayak, stop by the Courthouse Gallery to see the latest exhibit and end your day at Shepard Park for Thursday night fireworks. For the grandkids, there are mine tours, mini golf and a Six Flags amusement park nearby.

Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Don’t limit yourself to the U.S. when it comes to picking a destination. Both Schwartz and O’Rourke recommend Prince Edward Island as another location that is ideal for summer RV travel.

Island highlights include golf, beaches and cultural events. You can hit the PEI Flavours Culinary Trail or try an authentic PEI experience. The latter is supported by the island’s department of economic development and tourism and provides hands-on experiences, typically led by a local artisan, farmer or fisherman.

Nearby Newfoundland offers RVers another unique travel experience. Visitors may be able to see whales and icebergs along the rugged coastline. Much of the province is remote, which is part of its appeal. “You have to put an RV on a ferry to get there,” O’Rourke says of one KOA site in the area. “We get rave reviews from that park.”

Maine. As with Alaska, Maine is a state that is best for RVing in the summer. Schwartz recently completed a New England tour that started in Boston and ended in Maine. “I’d highly recommend Maine,” she says.

The south coast is dotted with small communities, lighthouses and lobster shacks. Further inland are lakes and mountains, and Acadia National Park is a favorite spot for many campers to visit. There are also historic sites, theater performances and artisan shops to round out the recreational opportunities available in Maine.

Nashville, Tennessee. Although Nashville may not seem like a typical destination for RV travel, O’Rourke says it’s an up-and-coming hotspot.

“Our campground in Nashville is doing particularly well because Nashville is doing very well,” she says.

The city is especially popular with country music fans, and for good reason. Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Johnny Cash Museum. While there, you’ll also want to sample some Nashville barbecue and stop by historic sites such as the home of President Andrew Jackson and the Belle Meade Plantation.

Mount Rushmore. Like Yosemite, Mount Rushmore National Memorial has been a traditional stop on the RV travel circuit. If you haven’t been to see it yet, cross it off your to-do list this year by taking a trip to South Dakota.

“The area is gorgeous,” Schwartz says. “You’d be shocked at the type of RV parks and experiences there.”

Gettysburg. Perlis adds that Gettysburg National Military Park is another must-do for many RVers. As the site of the battle credited with being the turning point of the Civil War, Gettysburg is steeped in history. While camping is obviously not available on site, local RV parks make it convenient to visit

While in the area, don’t overlook other historic spots. “Pennsylvania has such culture,” Schwartz says. Other attractions in the Gettysburg vicinity include Shriver House Museum, Eisenhower National Historic Site and Sachs Covered Bridge.

San Francisco. When asked to suggest an RV destination off the beaten path, Perlis is quick to respond. “Do something unexpected,” he says. “Take an RV trip to San Francisco.”

If the thought of driving down narrow city streets doesn’t sound appealing, Perlis understands. He suggests staying just outside the city in an RV resort where you can park the vehicle and use the Bay Area Rapid Transit System or a smaller car in the city itself.

“It’s a great alternative to renting a hotel,” Pelis says.

More from U.S. News

The 10 Most Visited National Parks

10 Retirement Spots With Year-Round Nice Weather

10 Epic Trails Almost Anyone Can Hike

10 Summer RV Vacations for Retirees originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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