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The Anxiety and Horror of Gas Stops - And The OH S%^T Moment!

Release Date: 08/05/2025

Final Stop on the Chicago Trip Home - Albuquerque KOA

CampH54

Our last stop gave us another swim and was a relaxing oasis in the middle of what were certain wasn't going to be such a great place as we rolled in. Albuquerque KOA Journey – At a Glance Location & Overview • Address: 12400 Skyline Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 • Setting: Conveniently located near the Sandia Mountains, Route 66, and not far from attractions like the Balloon Fiesta Park, Expo New Mexico, Old Town, aquarium, zoo, and museums . • Site Options: Offers a mix of accommodations including RV sites, deluxe cabins, camping cabins, and tent...

Burlington Colorado has a Surprise.

CampH54

Allie discovers a very cool placeto visit based upon a stop we needed to make on the way home. The need to have one day less put us on a less travelled path and this was certainly a fun discovery. Old Town Museum – Burlington, CO Overview & Location • A 6½-acre living history museum featuring 21 fully restored buildings and over 20,000 authentic artifacts, including photographs, documents, pioneer tools, and more . • Showcases local agricultural heritage and pioneer life on the Colorado plains . • Conveniently located just off...

When the Wind Becomes Concerning

CampH54

A few stops left us feeling a little bit concerned. Allie and Rob talk about the balance between calming fears and having a plan. ⚠️ Dangers of Wind Storms While RV Camping 1. Falling Trees and Branches • In wooded campgrounds, strong winds can snap large branches or even bring down whole trees onto RVs. Safety Tip: Avoid parking under tall or leaning trees. Pick open or sheltered sites with fewer overhead hazards. ⸻ 2. Awning & Slide-Out Damage • Awnings act like sails, and slide-out toppers can rip away in high winds, often damaging the RV...

The Chicago Camp - We arrive at our goal!

CampH54

After 5 camping stops along the way, we arrive at the park we've planned as our Forward Operating Base for months. This episode we will talk about the campgroud itself. Be sure to check out the YouTube video where we talk about and show our Chicago adventure. Our FOB Camp - Overview & Location • Just about 55 miles from downtown Chicago, this rural KOA campground in Union, IL offers a peaceful country setting with easy access via I-90 (Exit 42 or Exit 36) . • Ideal for anyone wanting to blend city sightseeing—via nearby Metra access—with a more relaxed, nature-first stay . ...

Sharing a Core Memory with our Children - Fireflies!

CampH54

Here’s a look at COMLARA Park—also known as COMLARA Park & Evergreen Lake—in McLean County, Illinois. It’s a beautiful, multi-use recreational area worth exploring: ⸻ Overview & Highlights Location & Size • COMLARA Park spans approximately 1,300 acres and includes Evergreen Lake, which is around 925 acres . Activities & Amenities • Outdoor recreation: You can enjoy camping, swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use . • Boating details: Evergreen Lake...

Hay Kids, Look, The Arch!! - Chicago Trip Stop #5 - St Louis

CampH54

We are rolling along and finally get to a place we can see some really cool things. We parked acoss the river from St. Louis and have a view of the Arch, but we took the time to go walk the area as well. St. Louis offers a unique mix of American history, modern attractions, and a deep-rooted love for baseball—and the heart of all this action is centered around Downtown St. Louis, where you’ll find the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, and a vibrant surrounding district. ⸻ 🏛️ Gateway Arch: The Icon of the Midwest The Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made...

The Anxiety and Horror of Gas Stops - And The OH S%^T Moment!

CampH54

😰 Why It Feels Stressful: • Tight turning space and low clearance • Other drivers being impatient or in your blind spots • Not knowing if you’ll be able to get out once you’re in • Feeling pressure from people waiting behind you • Fuel pumps being in awkward locations or too close together ⸻ ✅ Tips to Reduce RV Fuel Stop Stress: 1. Plan Fuel Stops in Advance Use apps like: • GasBuddy – to compare prices • RV Life, Togo RV, or iExit – to find RV-friendly stops with room to maneuver • TruckMap – helpful if you use diesel and want large...

Wait, where did the Air Go? - Big Cabin, OK - Chicago Trip Stop #3

CampH54

Rob dicovered a lost SnapPad in Amarillo, but the discovery at this stop was a bit more alrming. - Great Food. A bit about the area. 📍 Quick Facts & Location • Big Cabin is a tiny rural town in Craig County, OK, with a 2020 population of just 174, down from 265 in 2010 . • It lies along U.S. Highway 69, about 10 mi north of Vinita and 8 mi south of Adair, with I‑44 (Will Rogers Turnpike) Exit 283 just to the north . ⸻ 🪵 A History Rooted in Hay & Rails • Named after a large plank cabin used by local Native...

Things are Bigger in Texas! - Chicago Trip Stop #2

CampH54

CampH54 makes a stop an the Love's RV Stop in Amarillo and adventure out while they are there. 🚗 Cadillac Ranch: A Canvas on the Plains • Created in 1974 by the San Francisco art collective Ant Farm, funded by eccentric millionaire Stanley Marsh 3, the installation features ten Cadillacs (1949–1963) half-buried nose-first in the ground at the same 60° angle as the Great Pyramids, facing west toward I‑40 . • Originally on Route 66, it was relocated in 1997 to a field just off I‑40 to accommodate Amarillo’s growth — the new location is still...

Welcome to Our Adventure - We apologize up Front

CampH54

Allie and Rob say HELLO!! CampH54 Produced by Birdman Media™ CampH54 is a travel and lifestyle show hosted by Allie and Rob, produced by Birdman Media™, that chronicles the real-life adventures of a family exploring America one campground, roadside stop, and hidden gem at a time. With their trusty motorhome as a mobile basecamp, Allie and Rob hit the road with their kids to experience the wonder, challenge, and joy of RV travel—without being full-time RVers. The show offers an honest, down-to-earth look at how a busy family balances real life with the call of...

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😰 Why It Feels Stressful:

• Tight turning space and low clearance

• Other drivers being impatient or in your blind spots

• Not knowing if you’ll be able to get out once you’re in

• Feeling pressure from people waiting behind you

• Fuel pumps being in awkward locations or too close together

⸻

✅ Tips to Reduce RV Fuel Stop Stress:

1. Plan Fuel Stops in Advance

Use apps like:

• GasBuddy – to compare prices

• RV Life, Togo RV, or iExit – to find RV-friendly stops with room to maneuver

• TruckMap – helpful if you use diesel and want large pull-through bays

Look for truck stops (like Pilot, Love’s, TA, Buc-ee’s)—they often have more space, higher clearances, and easier entry/exit.

⸻

2. Aim for Pull-Through Pumps

• Look for pumps parallel to the store (not perpendicular) or on outer lanes.

• Avoid older gas stations in town centers—they’re often too tight.

⸻

3. Fuel When It’s Less Busy

• Early mornings or late evenings are quieter

• Weekdays are usually better than weekends or holidays

⸻

4. Do a Visual Check Before Pulling In

If you’re unsure:

• Park nearby and walk the layout before committing.

• Check for clear exit paths, pole placement, and ceiling overhangs.

⸻

5. Use a Spotter if Needed

If you’re traveling with someone, have them hop out and guide you in tight spots.

⸻

6. Practice Backing and Turning (When toad is uphooked)

Confidence comes with familiarity. Practice in an empty parking lot or use cones to get used to your turning radius and length.

⸻

7. Give Yourself Grace

Everyone who drives a big rig or RV has had an awkward gas stop. Most people around you are more curious than annoyed—and the impatient ones? You’ll never see them again.

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🧠 Mindset Shift:

Think of fuel stops as part of the adventure, not a test. You’re piloting a mobile house—respect! You’re allowed to take your time, breathe, and move at your pace.

CampH54 is a production of Birdman Media™

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