Gift Books

Tis the season to be jolly. Soon, at least! The holidays are just around the corner and so it’s time to begin the search for the perfect gift for the RVer in the family. Here are some books that would be very appropriate under the Christmas tree.

All American Roads: America’s Byways
Every veteran RVer knows the best places aren’t found along high-speed highways, but along the byways that capture America’s heart and soul. In this terrific guide, a joint venture by Mobil Travel Guide and the National Scenic Byways Program, you’ll discover historic sites, breathtaking views, and unique characteristics that give each scenic byway its designation. Presented alphabetically, the guide covers all 23 states with scenic byways.

Color maps, driving itineraries, time-tables, highlights and descriptions of things to see and do—from archaeological sites to cultural, historic or natural features—make this an easy-to-use camper companion. Mobil’s s rating system identifies the best local eateries, spas and attractions. If you’re in search of the best and often best-hidden jewels while driving through our great land, this should be a useful guide.

MapQuest RV & Campsites—Campground and RV Park Guide and Atlas
Where has this been all these years? This is the ultimate road atlas, published exclusively for RVers. Not only does it include a detailed road atlas of every U.S. state and Canadian province, it also includes descriptions of more than 3,700 campgrounds and RV parks with valuable details like what size slideouts can be accommodated.

The pinpoint location of every campground is shown, making this a one-stop source for not only learning about North America’s best campgrounds, but exactly where to find them as well. Twenty-two of America’s favorite national parks are profiled along with listings of overnight campsites in both national and state parks. And if that’s not enough, there are hundreds of beautiful color photos of places to see. This is the best road atlas for RVers ever published.

Road Trip USA
If you are headed out on the road to see America, then pack along this book. This is THE reference to what’s along the roadside of more than 35,000 miles of classic blacktop in the huge, amazing and beautiful USA. No matter where you are headed, author Jamie Jensen has been there before you. He’s seen what’s worth seeing, snapped a photo or two, written up what you should see, and provided more than 140 maps to make finding everything a breeze.

Taking a road trip is as American as apple pie. Whether you’re traveling in a car, on a motorcycle, on a unicycle or with an RV, this thick and information-packed guidebook will point out what to see, where to stay and what to do, and will provide unusual historical insights as well. This is a perfect gift, not only for the RVer who travels a lot, but for an armchair traveler as well.

Cooking Aboard Your RV
This is the perfect traveling companion. Janet Groene, author of Living Aboard Your RV and Great Eastern Road Trips, tells you what you need to know to create meals on the go that are healthy, easy to prepare and delicious. Written for long-term live-aboard RVers as well as casual weekenders, Cooking Aboard Your RV addresses the unique problems faced by RV cooks—limited water, insufficient counter space, and little room for the extra appliances of today’s kitchens.

This new edition is fully updated with instructions about how to outfit the RV galley and how to use substitute ingredients for those times when a general store is just a bit too far away from the campground. Instructions for using a combination convection-microwave oven are also included. But perhaps most important, Janet includes 270 time-tested recipes along with dozens of hints and timesaving ideas that will add convenience, variety and spice to your RV meals.

All the Stuff You Need to Know About RVing
This is the best introduction to RVing that has been published in a few years. It’s well written, right to the point, easy to read and understand, and there are 150 photos. All the basics of RVing are covered including: how to drive an RV, how to pack for a trip, how to live in an RV, how to hook up, how to unhook, how to live in an RV with only onboard power, how to dump, how to maintain a rig and how to operate all the systems. The information is so current it even includes a brief but quality overview of the ways to connect to the Internet while on the road. Most of the content applies to all RVs but there is specific information about different types of rigs.

Motorhomers will appreciate the advice about towing a car behind their rig including information about tow dollies; trailer owners will appreciate the tips and tricks about towing a rig and supplemental braking systems. Also covered: how to winterize an RV, where to park or store it, tips about maintenance, how to hook up in a campsite, solar options, power and energy conservation, and even advice about crossing international borders.

Frankly, there is more valuable RV information in this book than we have ever seen in one place before. If there’s a would-be RVer on your holiday list, this book would be a very welcome gift.

Adventures on America’s Public Lands
America’s public lands are a treasure, and many RVers are well aware of all they offer, including wonderful opportunities to camp far from the crowds, often for free or nearly free.

Adventures on America’s Public Lands, published in 2003 by Smithsonian Books, is a terrific guidebook to a broad range of recreational activities on public lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Everything a visitor needs to know about BLM lands is here, with maps, plenty of beautiful color photos and specific information about camping and campgrounds, including locations, amenities and fees.

Frommer’s Family Vacations in the National Parks
This practical, detailed Frommer’s guide helps parents plan and enjoy a fun-filled, creative, educational trip for the whole family. Author Charles Wohlforth takes you to a selection of America’s most popular parks, national recreation areas, and national seashores: Acadia, Cape Cod, the Smokies, the Outer Banks, Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Olympic, Zion, Bryce Canyon and more.

Included in this thick and information-packed guidebook are detailed, candid reviews of each campground and other family-friendly lodgings, plus these special features: a spectacular full-color photo insert, illustrations that help identify plants and animals, places for relaxed play and picnics, and tips on how to teach kids about everything from native American culture to conservation.

Parents will find all kinds of activities that kids will love: biking, canoeing, nature walks, horseback riding, swimming, tide pooling, whale watching and more. With this guide in hand, parents can help provide their children with memories and learning experiences that will last a lifetime.