Tag Archives: Camping

That Collection of Moments

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Here we are at the beginning of August 2025. It’s been a wild ride full of great music, activities and so much more. August 7th is the astronomical midpoint of summer, as a New Englander it always feels that way to me. So, we are only a few days into summertime halftime.

Last month I vacationed with four generations of family for a week in beautiful Newport Rhode Island. This year I got up early and went out on my own rather than waiting for all the late risers. During my morning walkabouts I encountered many species of birds, I am an avid enthusiast. A gift from my mom when I was a child. She never said, “Ronny, look at the bird.” Instead, she’d tell me the name of the bird. She unknowingly did to me what Mr. Miyagi did to the Karate Kid. My favorite morning hike ended at a secluded stone covered beach beneath a large cliff, the chosen landing pad for more sea glass than I’ve seen in one place. My wife had collected a large bag of the washed glass last year and had left it behind, so I decided to catch her up on her collecting.

On another day we all gathered at the beach. My biological mother had passed over twenty years ago; she is the one who taught me about the birds. She gave us an appreciation of the seashore as well. My cousin Jay commented on how my sister Dawn and I were beachcombing together for over an hour without saying a word to each other. The funny thing is we didn’t have to. During that time, in that collection of moments, we were closer than any two siblings could be.

This year I was the designated grille master, a task I was hoping to pass off to my cousins from Maine. In all I did very well with the assistance of my wife who added the cheese to the burgers and some help from my nephew Triston in bringing the burgers to the table. I shot some video after the last burger was off the grille in which I lovingly referred to my dad, the family patriarch as the “Grand Poobah” and my stepmother, our matriarch as the “Grand Poobess”. Video introductions of the rest of my family followed, ending with my eight-month-old grandson Ezme and his camera-shy parents who attempted to escape me.

I put my phone away for the majority of my vacation this year. The absence of the screen seemed to really cleanse my soul and replenish my spirit. I was present in every moment. I didn’t take as many photos as usual, but that’s okay. Others took photos and I have so many great memories etched in my mind. Remember, the past is gone, the future isn’t here yet, all we really have is right now. In that moment before thought is where creation takes place. That’s where God lives.

Winterization

Have My RV Guy prepare your RV for cold weather storage by draining the water system, blowing out the lines, adding antifreeze, and protecting vulnerable components from the elements. Winterization prevents damage from freezing and ensures the RV is ready for use in the spring. Schedule your RV winterization today!

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

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SPRING IS A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Hello Campers,

Life is a series of constant changes which work together to move us forward in every area of our lives. Good and bad experiences give us the tools we’ll need to conquer the next level in what some refer to as the game of life.

Millennials get a bad rap in regards to their approach to life, especially from Boomers and the Gen-Xers, but in many ways, they have the right idea. Life is all about living! What we experience today will bring us to where we need to be tomorrow. It may have just taken us a little longer to figure out what they already understand. Time is our most precious commodity, so spend it wisely.

I learned this decades ago through my mom’s unexpected illness. It doesn’t really matter what you die with. It’s who you live with. Sure, there is a certain amount of planning involved, but all plans are tentative and any illusion of control is exactly that; illusion. The memories we make are all we’ll really keep. It’s what we remember about special times together and what those special people in our lives will remember about us when we are gone.

This is what I want to share with you all today. Don’t get caught up in worrying about what may or may not be tomorrow. The past is gone, the future is not here yet, all we really have is right now. That’s where God lives. So, my wish for you all is to take time with your family and friends, and experience the joy of each day as you relish in every moment right now. Get intentional about creating more memorable memories. In the end, that’s all that counts. Everything else shall pass, but what we instill in the hearts and minds of those we care about will live on forever.

Happy camping,

Ron Ash (CEO & Founder at My RV Guy Franchising LLC)

TECH TALK

Failure to winterize your RV could cause the water in the lines and the pipes to freeze. Once the water freezes, it will expand and crack your pipes, which can be costly and time-consuming to repair. Most RV enthusiasts know how important it is to properly winterize, but few place a value on proper de-winterization procedures. Decontaminating your water system is one of the most crucial steps of RV spring preparation. When you are on the road, you rely on a clean source of water for cooking, drinking, washing dishes and showering.

Standing drinking water has serious health implications. Bacteria growth is ongoing in stagnant water, with possible serious consequences such as Legionnaires’ disease. We add antifreeze to our water systems to treat water that did not drain. This does not stop the bacteria from contaminating your water system. Bacteria thrives in untreated water. So, RVers are at a higher risk than the rest of the population when it comes to Legionella infections.

De-winterizing involves much more than flushing out the old antifreeze. It is a process of sanitizing the system and protecting your investment, and making sure your water-heater, HVAC, appliances and propane system are in working order. It’s also an opportunity to have your seals checked. Most RVers don’t realize that manufactures recommend inspecting seals every ninety days and making repairs when necessary. Your RV service technician will usually conduct this system check as part of your De-winterization aka Spring Opening to make sure you and your family are ready to Go RVing.

MY RV GUY FRANCHISE PARTNERS

My RV Guy is an owner-operated business that takes pride in being able to provide its customers with a high-quality, honest, and valuable service at competitive prices. Our success is based on a customer-first approach, which will carry forward in our franchise program. Our ideal candidate will also be professional, outgoing, and mechanically inclined.

TRAINING AND SUPPORT

We’ll Help You Take The Road Less Traveled.

The owner/operator franchise model involves significant investment of time and lifestyle, which is why we aim to empower motivated franchisees to become profitable entrepreneurs. As a My RV Guy franchisee, we’ll provide every possible tool to help you achieve your business goals.

Comprehensive Training

We designed our dual-phase initial training program to answer all your questions. Our goal is to give our franchise partners a strong foundation for operational success.

Support

  • Operational – My RV Guy will provide ongoing training and support in many areas, including technology and software training, product ordering, customer-service techniques, accounting and administration.
  • Marketing– We’ll utilize our extensive marketing expertise to coordinate the development of advertising materials and SEO/SEM strategies to help franchisees leverage our established brand.
  • Ongoing Research & Development – My RV Guy leadership will continue to research methods and techniques for franchise operations that enhance unit-level profitability.

Off Season On The Pond

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Hello Campers,

Fall weekends on the pond came to mind this morning. As children we stayed outside most of the day. The temperature dropping a few degrees didn’t change that. We’d throw on progressively heavier clothing and enjoy the subtle changes of the off season on Johnson’s Pond.

Most packed up and headed back to the city before this magical time of year began and wouldn’t return until Memorial Day weekend. We were lucky to have our primary residence less than an hour away, so for us that was not the case. Our Camp Ash didn’t suffer from a lack of use.

The air was cool and fresh, and there was a quiet that didn’t exist on a hot summer’s weekend by the water. This was the perfect recipe for expanding a child’s imagination. In those early years I’d build entire ranches with twigs and pine needles. I’d break up tiny branches, stick the twigs in the ground and create corral fences, barns and log cabins. Nature’s toys!

Eventually we’d take in our floating docks by laying them on rollers. That’s about the time I learned about leverage. The boats would get winterized, but we’d still take out the canoe or jon boat until the pond froze over. Once that happened it would be time to skate the pond. That experience went beyond peaceful. When the ice was safe enough, we’d skate the entire cove. I still have vivid memories of my neighbor Vinny losing himself in the present as he made the most of the experience.

Although the days ended sooner and cooler, a roaring fire accompanied by an old song or scary story, and our combined laughter made every hour a bit more valuable. The stars above seemed a lot more abundant too. Maybe it was because our senses became more aware as we were absent of distractions. Whatever the case, I’ll always cherish those special moments together off season on the pond.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

IT’S TIME TO SCHEDULE YOUR RV WINTERIZATION

My RV Guy offers an RV winterization service to protect your RV from cold weather damage by draining the water system, blowing out lines, adding RV antifreeze, and preparing vulnerable components for storage. This process prevents pipes from freezing and cracking, ensuring your RV is ready for use in the spring. You can schedule this service through My RV Guy to have their technicians prepare your vehicle for the winter. 

How My RV Guy’s Winterization Service Works

  • Draining the water system:Water is removed from the fresh water tank and hot water heater. 
  • Bypassing the water heater:The water heater is bypassed to prevent antifreeze from filling it, which saves antifreeze and makes the process more effective for the plumbing. 
  • Blowing out lines:Compressed air is used to remove any remaining water from the water lines and pipes. 
  • Adding RV antifreeze:Non-toxic RV antifreeze is pumped through the plumbing system to protect it from freezing. 
  • Protecting vulnerable components:This step helps protect components from the elements, though the exact details can vary by RV and service level. 

Why Winterize Your RV? 

  • Prevent freezing damage:The primary goal is to prevent water from freezing in your RV’s plumbing, which can cause pipes, tanks, and other components to crack and burst.
  • Ensure readiness for spring:A properly winterized RV will be ready to use when warmer weather returns without needing extensive repairs.

How to Schedule Service

You can schedule your RV winterization service directly through My RV Guy. Their website myrvguy.shop provides information on services and how to contact them. 

How Goes The Revolution

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Hello Campers,

How goes the revolution? In a previous blog More Memorable Memories I mentioned how gathering together with family and friends fosters memories that keep. I suggested a “New Year’s Revolution” instead of the traditional resolution. It looks like many are already onboard. With every generation, Americans are moving away from spending on possessions in favor of life experiences. I’d like to think it was something I said. Imagine, 8 in 10 Millennials crave more real world experiences and are putting their money into satisfying their experimental appetite. My “Gen X” group isn’t far behind. Many are selling their homes in favor of simplified lifestyles and expanding experiences via the RV lifestyle. Freedom, excitement, interaction and growth are the driving forces behind this massive shift in the American dream. They’re seeing the sights and enjoying campgrounds with a plethora of events and activities for every palate. So, if you’re sitting around the house having checked your explorer’s spirit at the door, it may be time to start living intentionally. Your next greatest experience may only be a few miles away.

Remember, the things we experience today contribute to how we’ll see ourselves tomorrow.

Happy camping,

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

Historic Town Pound

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by Ron Ash

The historic Glocester Town Pound is a fairly well preserved colonial animal pound in northern Rhode Island. The stone pound was built by Andrew Brown (Chad Brown’s Great-Grandson) in 1748 to confine stray farm animals. It is said to be the oldest surviving pound in the U.S.A. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, this dry wall stone structure was an exploit of colonial engineering.

The Browns initiated a pound system which rescued stray animals, cared for them and charged the animal’s owners a pound keepers fee for holding them. Andrew Brown (1706 to 1783), moving to Glocester in 1730 took on the unofficial role of Glocester’s first Animal Control Officer. The historic town pound can still be seen at Pound Road and Chopmist Hill Road. Brown, his wife Mary and his six children lived about seven hundred yards from the site. Today their property is the home of Mulberry Vineyards.

If you decide to make the trip, you may as well make a day of it. “Wine & History” would make for the perfect day of exploring and enjoying history in the great outdoors.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity. Spend it wisely.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

The Tree Huggers

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Hello Campers,

Summers on Shady Valley Road were filled with so many wonderful experiences with my siblings and our summertime family of friends. In addition to all the activities on Johnson’s Pond, there were trails to ride, corn fields to explore and lots of trees to climb. One tree in particular was very special to us. It was more than a tree. It was a meeting place we grew to love. So much so that my sisters and I, along with our neighborhood friends saved it from being cut down. After seeing how much the oddly shaped tree meant to us, the municipality compromised by just trimming it a bit.

The reason I bring this up is because of a conversation I had with a new customer recently. We were talking about all the technology included in many of today’s RV’s. Huge mobile homes with private spaces came up in conversation as well. He has a smaller camper, and his family spends most of their time outside as opposed to many who spend so much time inside their larger RVs. Back during our days on the pond or at Carpenter’s Beach Meadows by the sea, we rarely spent anytime indoors. We were always out with our family or friends. Our time was well spent swimming, boating and fishing. Don mentioned playing “Manhunt” and I was reminded of “Kick the Can”. There were the evening campfires that included storytelling and sing-alongs as well.

The joys of our summertime holidays were never about the size of our RV or cottage. It was all about interacting in and with nature. Every experience ignited an organic appreciation of the great outdoors. There were no distractions from the wonders around us. Our faces were not locked onto a screen. We had the unique opportunity to experience a new world if only for a season. That is what saved “our” very special tree.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity. Spend it wisely.

Happy camping,

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

Know What You Want To Do With Your RV

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Hello Campers,

We are getting closer to the RV show season and will soon be moving into our busiest time of the year. I’ve talked to many show attendees over the last few months and am very excited to see so many new campers anxious to get into the RV lifestyle. So, I’ve decided to touch on a few things that RV newbies need to consider.

Know what you want to do with your RV. Are you interested in traveling from campground to campground? Will you be seeking a seasonal site at a campground? Do you intend on going off the grid? How you answer these questions will dictate which RV will best suit your camping needs.

If you’ll be sampling a plethora of campgrounds, you’ll want an RV that is easy to hookup, setup and maneuver. My advice to clients is to “never purchase more RV than you’ll need.” It’s easy to get a little overzealous during your shopping experience. Remember, bigger is not always better. Smaller RVs are used more often than larger RVs not only because there are more smaller campsites available wherever you go, they’re also easier to tow. You’re going to spend a very small portion of you camping experience inside your RV. When the weather is right, you’ll cook, play and congregate outside. Focus on the goal! We go RVing to bond with our family and to relish in the wonders of the great outdoors, right?

Another option is seasonal campground RVing. Many families choose to go seasonal once they’ve sampled several venues and have fallen in love with a campground that fulfills most of their needs. In this case make sure you speak to campground management about what size camper will work on the available site you’re interested in before making a purchase. You can have your RV delivered, so you may want to purchase one which will maximize the potential of your site. I’ve had two seasonal vacation spots which have blessed me with wonderful memories exploring, enjoying and interacting with my campground family of friends. If you love to socialize, you’ll love the seasonal RV camping experience.

Dry camping, also referred to as boon-docking, is camping in your RV without hookups. No electricity, water or sewer connections. If you yearn to experience nature at it’s fullest, this may be the type of camping for you. It’ll be just you and the serenity of nature. If you are going out for a few days, a light weight RV with an extra battery and a solar panel may be all you’ll need, but if you’ll be gone awhile a generator would be something to consider. In most cases, the experienced camper will just take enough supplies for a couple of days in the wilderness. You’ll want as little noise pollution as possible if you really want to experience the wonders of nature. A small light RV with an off-road package is ideal for this type of camping.

Need more information? Contact me anytime for advice and guidance with anything RV. I’d be glad to help.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity. Spend it wisely.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

More Memorable Memories

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Hello Campers!

It’s that time of year when we all get ready for special gatherings with family and friends. Looking back it’s easy to see why a lifetime of memories are built around the holidays. These and other red letter days are the catalyst for what was, is and will be the story of our lives. Every special holiday gathering, birthday party and vacation experience has its own significance. So I got to thinking, what if we get intentional about creating more? Many of my most vivid memories, besides the holiday variety, took place exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. Hiking, canoeing, fishing and camping were always at the top of my “love to do list”. That’s when I’d leave behind the ordinary and discover the extraordinary. Decades after, I still carry crystal-clear pictures in my mind. That giant Northern Pike in Pickerel Cove I lost on multiple occasions. On the final attempt it snapped a heavy sea hook like it was a twig. My dad still calls it a fish story. A similar tale of a huge purple Bull Frog also comes to mind. My diligence paid off in that hunt. There were lessons to be learned as well. Like that time my mom made me keep a promise to a campground neighbor to go fishing with her and her dad. She had a crush on me and Mom knew I was playing with her emotions. Turns out her dad was a champion fly fisherman who had been written up in several magazines. We ended up having a great time. He even complimented me on how well I handled my fishing rod. You can’t make memories like that hanging around the house playing video games and watching cartoons. It all comes back to the gathering. Whether it was on the water, around the campfire or under a starlit night watching a meteor shower with friends; those are the memories that keep. So let’s make a revolution of a new year’s resolution to create more memorable memories.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity. Spend it wisely.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

A Break From The Microcosm.

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Hello Campers,

This week I was taken back to “Camp Ash” on Johnson’s Pond in Coventry, Rhode Island. It was the beginning of the nineteen seventies. My dad worked in the city and my mom was a full-time stay at home mom. We lived in a three-bedroom one-bathroom home on a quarter acre corner lot in the suburbs. Dad drove a nineteen seventy and a half Corvette Stingray back then. We referred to Mom’s nineteen seventy three Impala Station Wagon as “The Beach Wagon”. Money went a lot further back then, so they decided to look for a modest summertime residence for our family of five to enjoy. They eventually purchased their own slice of nature on Shady Valley Road. It wasn’t just the wonderful experiences we shared there that I appreciated. I don’t know if my parents realized it or not, but they gave me a break from the microcosm which often traps a child in sameness. My elementary school went from kindergarten to eighth grade. That’s a lot of years with the same group of kids. It wasn’t always easy. Whether my parents knew it or not, our family’s little campsite was my refuge. My summertime family of friends never put me in a box or trapped me in the illusion preserved by those grade school classmates and neighborhood peers. My first summer on the pond was a fantastic experience full of different activities and new friends. I guess Dad’s Birthday coming up caused me to take a deeper look. It doesn’t really matter if my parents knew what I was going through or not. The important thing was their decision helped make my childhood happier and healthier while fostering my appreciation for the brilliance of the great outdoors. With that said, thanks Dad! Happy Birthday and best to you in your next greatest year.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity. Spend it wisely.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy