Motorhome Camp Grounds Stalls should be Astroturf

Having traveled from state to state and every city in the United States over 10,000 population occasionally staying at motor home camp grounds it seems that a few new ideas might be worthy of mention. Motor home campgrounds generally consist of a cement parking stall, which is level and then hook ups for electricity, water, waste and Cable TV if you so need it. Often there is grass in between stalls and sometimes grass between the centers of the cement area you park on, probably to add ambiance for stalls with no motor homes parked there and/or to save the cost of the concrete during construction of the camp ground?

All this is very nice and makes sense however, the closest areas to the motor homes themselves ought to paved with Astroturf not actual sod. There are many reasons for this. Quite often there are localized weeds growing in the camp ground and the seeds from these weeds get caught in the undercarriage of the motorhome or a trailer they are towing. If the motor home is there for a month the weeds have time to grow underneath and close to the motorhomes guaranteeing that they will in fact get caught in the undercarriage.

In most states the USDA Forest Service is careful to maintain a noxious weed program to prevent the transfer of local indigenous weeds to other places where those weeds might interfere with the local eco-system and cause a take-over or add new insects to the area. If campers have animals they move fleas as well to other areas. Mosquitoes too can hitch a ride. Properly maintained camp grounds are important and the use of Astroturf which properly drains prevents freestanding water for Mosquitoes to breed and possible hitch a ride after wards, as West Nile Virus seems to be killing more and more people each year.

Dried brush underneath a vehicle can cause a fire hazard from the tail pipes and dead grass growth under the motorhome is unsafe after the vehicle departs. Additionally with the Western States at a drought crisis the water can be saved without sacrificing the ambiance. Also realize that the older folks who drive motorhomes have weakened immune systems due to age and are more susceptible to catching a virus or disease. Perhaps more camp grounds should look into these things to prevent the spread of noxious weeds, the breeding of mosquitoes and decreasing the fire hazard risks? Think about it.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Outdoor Illinois magazine to publish final issue The State Journal-Register By CHRIS YOUNG The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will discontinue publication of its Outdoor Illinois magazine after the March issue. Outdoor Illinois, a full-color, slick-paper monthly magazine with a circulation of more than 26000, ... and more »

On Outdoors: Living the RV life Minneapolis Star Tribune Sales of recreational vehicles are booming, with the biggest growth among families with kids, and of lighter models that can be towed by more vehicles. Rick and Brenda Allanson of Edina are longtime RVers. They are on a trip to the Black Hills of South ... and more »

Macon Telegraph (blog)

Academy Sports & Outdoors store coming to Warner Robins Macon Telegraph (blog) By LINDA S. MORRIS - lmorris@macon.com Texas-based Academy Sports & Outdoors has bought the former Kroger store at 2907 Watson Blvd. and other adjacent retail space and plans to open a 62000-square-foot store there before Christmas, said Doug Molyneaux ... and more »

Outdoors report: Feb. 8 Houston Chronicle Good trout have been taken on the flats on the north end of the lake on Corkies and MirrOlures. Waders have scored on the edge of the channel on the moving tide. Winds were light out of the northeast. Water temperature at Eagle Point was 57 degrees ... and more »

Outdoors: Last-minute hunt provides necessary ingredients (with video) News-Herald.com By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn Nothing like waiting until the last minute to try and get the main ingredient for a squirrel meat pie. Given Ohio's squirrel hunting season started Sept. 1, the fact I procrastinated until the last day on Jan.

Outdoors: Nearly Picture-perfect Arizona Daily Sun The walls of Picture Canyon are nearly vertical and barely 10 yards apart in some spots. In winter, the full discharge from the Wildcat Hill wastewater treatment plant sends a torrent of water over a series of ledges in the canyon. and more »

Outdoors: Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at DCU Center Worcester Telegram The 36th annual Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition runs Friday through Sunday at Worcester's DCU Center. Exhibitors will showcase tackle, hunting gear, boats, and exciting fishing and hunting trips. The expo is always fun for window shoppers, ...

The West Australian

Great outdoors beckons thrillseekers The West Australian The Peel Region, which includes Dawesville, Mandurah, Dwellingup and Pinjarra, has a number of outdoor activities for travellers looking to raise their heart rate. First stop for the adrenaline junkies is the Harvey Estuary for a jetski ride. and more »

New York Times

Sportsmen, Outdoor Industry, Conservationists Join in Opposition to CO ... Public News Service Today, groups representing sportsmen, the outdoors industry and conservationists are speaking out in opposition to the Colorado plan. Nick Payne is Colorado regional representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and his group ... Sportsmen ask Obama to Conserve CO. Roadless BackcountryAmmoLand.com (press release) all 4 news articles »

The great outdoors Indian Express Rescuing a fellow crew member from drowning and getting the Arthur B Hanson Rescue Medal for it gave me both an adrenaline rush and a better outlook in life,” says US-based photographer Geet Sharma. He goes back to July 17, when during the 2011 Chicago ... and more »