Stephanie and Jeremy visited Mama Gertie's Hideaway over a decade ago (with Max and Theo) soon after they bought their first pop up camper. It was a magical campground that made a lasting impression. Many improvements have been made over the past ten years, so they both felt that it was a great time to get a fresh review. Thankfully, long-time RV Atlas correspondent Casita Dean May recently visited Mama Gertie's Hideaway, and was game for a fresh podcast review and guest blog post.

To listen to Jeremy interview Casita Dean May about Mama Gertie's Hideaway and the surrounding area, click on the media player above. To check out Dean's blog post about Mama Gertie's Hideaway and the region around Asheville, please see below.

The guest post below was written by Casita Dean May.

Location of Mama Gertie's Hideaway

Momma Gertie’s Hideaway is conveniently located on I-40 just a few minutes east of Asheville, NC (14 minutes/11 miles) or a few minutes west of Black Mountain, NC (9 minutes/6 miles). Mama Gertie’s is less than 1 mile south off I-40!

Asheville and the regional highlights will be discussed later; however, it is important to note that Mama Gertie’s is located in the heart of the southern Appalachian mountains with easy access to Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and so much more. Arguably, this area is one the best spots in the eastern United States for camping and outdoor recreation.   

Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground Details

Mama Gertie’s is a private campground that is relatively small with only 45 RV sites. It is very unique in that the campground is more or less carved into the side of a mountain! It has three “tiers” of camping integrated into the hill side. The campground is in the woods with lots of shade in the bottom tier of sites. The top tier is flat with no trees on the sites, but the views are spectacular.

There are three bath houses to more or less correspond with the 3 tiers of camping. Mama Gertie's main building at the bottom of the campground that serves as an entrance to the campground includes a bath house for the bottom tier of sites. The other two tiers include bath houses as well. The bath houses are nice, relatively modern, clean, and pleasant to use.  

Price Range and Ease of Booking

Reservations can be made on-line or by calling 877-686-4258 and you can book 6 months in advance. We had no problem making a reservation on-line. A random check of rates for all tier sites throughout the spring and summer yielded the following:

Tier 1 - $75 to $85 per night, tier 2 - $95 to $105 per night, and tier 3 was $105 to $167.50 per night. 

There is a 10% Good Sam discount. When you reserve, you are not guaranteed that site, but you will get that site type. Also, you must check-in by 5 pm (off-season) and by 6 pm (high-season). You cannot check-in after dark due to the hilly terrain of the campground.

Details about the Sites at Mama Gertie's Hideaway

38 of the 45 RV sites have full-hookups (the other 7 have electric and water - with 4 of them having beautiful views of the creek).

30 of the sites have 50 amp service while the remaining 15 sites have 30 amp service.

The campground is unique with over half of the sites being pull-through sites. 

There are 5 cabins.

There are 6 tent sites.

WiFi/Cell Service and Customer Service at Mama Gertie's Hideaway

Mama Gertie’s does have WiFi. It worked fine for email, social media, and light surfing. Cell service was fine as well. The customer service was pleasant and professional and the grounds crew was very active in keeping the campground well maintained.

Amenities at Mama Gertie's Hideaway

Laundry

Propane station

Firewood delivered to your site

Dog park

We love taking taking RV trips to cities like Washington and Philadelphia. It seems like you can park your RV close to just about any major American city. You just need to know where to look for campsites and moderate your expectations. Many urban campgrounds have small sites, and are not necessarily the prettiest campgrounds in the state. On today's episode of The RV Atlas podcast, Jeremy interviews Gretchen Holcombe about her recent RV trip to Detroit. She had an amazing time exploring the city and nearby Ann Arbor, and she found a fairly decent place to camp that she definitely recommends.

To listen to Jeremy interview Gretchen about her RV trip to Detroit, click on the media player above. Or to find out more just keep reading!

The following is a Guest Post by Gretchen Holcombe from Boxy Colonial on the Road.

Detroit might not be the first place you think of for a great RVing destination. But after spending a week in the Detroit area last summer with my family, I can recommend an RV trip to Detroit wholeheartedly. It is proud of its history, and packed with world class museums and other attractions. Surprisingly, there are some solid campground options to choose from. 

Where to stay on an RV Trip to Detroit:

We stayed at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Belleville, MI. It is less than half an hour from Detroit in one direction and Ann Arbor in the other. This is a no frills campground. It has narrow, grassy sites and dated bathhouses, but it’s a safe, well maintained, and affordable place to park your RV. The location is also convenient location. There are W/E and full hook up sites available; rates range from $27-44/night. 

Other options include the Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA in Ypsilanti (40 minutes from Detroit) and the well reviewed Proud Lake Recreation Area (also about 40 minutes away). 

Fun things to do in Detroit

Detroit Institute of Arts

The collection at Detroit’s art museum easily rivals those found in places like New York and Boston. It has amazing paintings from the likes of Van Gogh and Matisse. But it’s also a uniquely Detroit museum; it’s perhaps most famous for the stunning Diego Rivera frescos, “Detroit Industry” in the central courtyard. The current exhibit, “Detroit Style,” all about car design, pays homage to Detroit’s “Motor City” history. The DIA offers an impressive array of options for kid-friendly touring as well. Our 8 year old enjoyed the “Eye Spy” scavenger hunt signs in many of the galleries, and there’s also an app based game called Goose Chase.  

Belle Isle

Belle Isle is a large public park on an island in the Detroit River. We weren’t really sure what to expect here, but it ended up being one of our favorite spots on our whole summer trip, with plenty to keep us busy for a full day. I fell in love with the turn of the century art deco buildings designed by Detroit architect Albert Kahn, including the small aquarium and conservatory. We took a guided hike out to the marble lighthouse and beyond for some great views of Canada. And the Great Lakes Museum focuses on Detroit’s shipping history and has some wonderful hands on exhibits for kids and an interesting short film about the history of Belle Isle. 

The Henry Ford

We spent a LOT of time at this enormous museum complex that includes the Museum of American Innovation, the Greenfield Village living history museum, and a chance to tour a Ford factory. We bought a membership since that made the best financial sense for our big family, and we took full advantage of it with multiple visits during our week in the Detroit area. The museum is a heartfelt tribute to progress and innovation. There are plenty of cars, as you might expect at a museum founded by Henry Ford. But you can also see the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assass...

Whether you are looking for a base camp for touring RMNP or a great place for a family vacation, Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains should be on your list.

Jeremy Shakes Down the Ember Overland Series 191MDB

For years Stephanie and I have been advising RV owners to take their first "shakedown trips" at campgrounds that are close to home. Plenty of people like to pick up a new RV and head out on a big adventure. But getting a new RV can bring the most seasoned RV owners to their knees! There are new systems to learn, and there are almost always unexpected issues to deal with.

So taking a long road trip and camping in unfamiliar territory has its risks. If you stick close to home you can always just go back if there is a problem. Or you can run to your local big box store if you forget something. Camping close to home when you get a new rig is just a smart thing to do. But just like Stephanie did with her Airstream Basecamp--I disregarded our own good advice. Instead of staying close to home I went 4.5 hours away for a shakedown trip in the Ember Overland Series 191MDB.

Picking Up the Ember Overland Series 191MDB at White Horse RV Center

My new Ember Overland Series 191MDB was ready for pickup at Monday at 2pm in south Jersey.  I had a beachfront reservation at Assateague Island National Seashore for the next day. I live in central New Jersey. So I had a decision to make. I could drive 1.5 hours to my dealer, White Horse RV Center, in south Jersey and then drive the rig back home 1.5 hours for the night and then leave for Assateague Island the next day. Assateague is over 4 hours away from my house. This seemed like a lot of senseless driving to me.

So I went with another option. I decided to pick up the Ember Overland Series 191MDB in south Jersey and head straight to Lums Pond State Park in Delaware for Monday night. However, I would need to pack up EVERYTHING to outfit the new rig in the back of my truck. Then I would need to unload the truck at Lums Pond. I thought it would still be preferable to driving back home and then retracing my footsteps the next day. I left at around 12pm Monday morning with all of my stuff in the truck, and Maggie the camping dog by my side. It was exciting to get back out on the open road, and I was very excited to pick up the new rig.

To listen to Jeremy and Stephanie talk about his shakedown trip in the Ember 191MDB, click on the media player above--or subscribe to the RV Atlas wherever you get your shows.

Lums Pond State Park, Delaware

Lums Pond State Park ended up being the perfect place for an overnight stop. It was less than 1.5 hours away from my dealer, and then it would be an easy two hour tow down through Delaware to Assateague. Lums was really beautiful and it offers full hookups at state park prices. I pulled in an hour or two before dark and got everything out of the truck and into the Ember Overland 191MDB. My site was also really nice with lots of space on either side.

I picked a site next to tent camping spots because I knew there wouldn't be tent campers there in March during the week. It was a good strategy because it felt like I had a massive site. I could see the water through the trees as well. Maggie also enjoyed a nice evening walk on the trails right behind my site.

A Quiet and Peaceful Night in the New Rig

After I unpacked the truck and got the RV set up I realized that it was 9pm and I was completely starved. Unfortunately the around Lums Pond State Park is pretty quiet at night. I couldn't find something close by for dinner. So I grabbed a sub at Wawa and called it a night! I was really exhausted after a long day, and I slept like a baby in the new rig. A good sign considering that I am very sensitive to noise in RV's. The Ember Overland 191MDB is packed with tech. But it is pretty darn quiet for sleeping. For that I am very thankful!

Onwards to Assateague

I spent some time in the rig the next morning just getting myself situated, and then headed south to Assateague.

On the first two episodes of the 2022 season of the RV Atlas podcast, we talked about Stephanie's "new-to-her" 2018 Basecamp. Now it is Jeremy's turn to step up to the mike and answer questions about his new 2022 Ember 191MDB.

Jeremy signed on as the company's brand ambassador last summer. He was thrilled to pick up his own unit (an Ember 191MDB) a few weeks back, and then quickly head out on his first trip. This blog post and the corresponding podcast are about Jeremy's new role as Ember's brand ambassador, and his first impressions of the new rig.

To listen to The RV Atlas podcast episode about the Ember 191MDB, click on the media player above. Or continue reading to find out more about this new company and Jeremy's first impressions of his new rig.

Say Hello To Ember Recreational Vehicles

Ember Recreational Vehicles is a new player in the game. They are an independently owned company that is also female owned and operated. But while the company is new, the owner, co-founders, and production team all have extensive experience in the RV Industry. So the Ember name may be new to consumers, but the executives behind the scenes are well known in industry circles. Because of that experience, the company has been able to launch a buzz-worthy product lineup during challenging times. The last few years have been filled with manufacturing shortages and logistical challenges that may have crippled a less experienced team.

Jeremy's Role as Brand Ambassador and Owner Advocate

So how did Jeremy end up working with Ember as their Brand Ambassador and Owner Advocate? He knew two of the co-founders from his work at a different company. When they founded this company he knew that he wanted to be involved. Before even seeing a product from them, he knew they would build something great.

Last summer and fall Jeremy went out to Bristol, Indiana a few times to meet the other founders and the rest of the team. He was impressed with their dedication and the product they were building. He also attended the company's first dealer open house and it was exciting for him to see their passionate and enthusiastic response. Later in the fall he drove out to Indiana and towed one of the units to Indiana Dunes National Park for a big national photo shoot.  The towing experience was impressive and Jeremy fell in love with the rig's independent suspension. But more on that in a minute.

So what will he be doing for Ember? Lots of content creation--photography, short video work, social media support, Instagram takeovers, blog posts, offering design suggestions, RV show support--that kind of stuff. He went to the Florida RV SuperShow with the team and really enjoyed meeting RV Atlas fans and talking to the big crowds of consumers that showed up to check out Ember.

First Impressions of the Ember Overland Series 191MDB

The Ember 191MDB at Assateague Island National Seashore

 

Ember 191MDB Floorplan

One of the most striking features in the Ember 191MDB (a Murphy bed model) that Jeremy truly loves is the Stargazer Skylight. This stunning window opens up to let fresh air into the coach and has a day shade and a night shade. Whether you are sitting and reading on the couch, or relaxing in bed at night--you can actually look up and see the stars. Jeremy kept the window opened during much of his recent Assateague Island trip and let the cool ocean air circulate through the coach. The Stargazer Skylight also allows a lot of natural light to fill the coach during daytime hours. This actually helps conserve battery power when you are camping without hookups, because you don't need to turn lights on inside the coach until night fall. Other RV's with similar floorpans are considerably darker in...

The 2,000 mile Airstream Basecamp Shakedown Trip

She did what she would NEVER recommend anyone else doing.

She went on her first trip with the 2018 Airstream Basecamp 16 down to Florida and back. A 2000 miles round trip road trip. It was one heck of a shakedown trip, to say the least.  For years we have recommended taking a close-to-home shakedown trip when you purchase a new RV. Just to make sure that all systems are go and that everything is working right. This way, if you find something broken or if you forget something, you are on familiar turf and can get help, (or a can opener) more easily.

So why did Stephanie decide to pack up her Airstream and head south on an epic 8 day road trip to Florida and back? Because duty called, and she responded. Her company was doing a video production project down in Live Oak, Florida and she had a new Airstream sitting in the driveway. So she outfitted her new rig in record time and hit the open road instead of flying.

Her team at Roadpass loved getting to see the new Airstream Basecamp in person, and Stephanie ended up getting a really useful crash course in using her new rig.

To listen to Jeremy interview Stephanie about her 8 day shakedown roadtrip to Live Oak, Florida, click on the media player above, or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your shows.

Airstream Basecamp Impressions and Trip Details

Stephanie really feels like her Airstream Basecamp is an incredible solo camper. So simple and so comfortable. Period. It has everything she needs in terms of space and functionality, and nothing that she doesn't. She may want to add an inverter to have some 110 capacity while traveling and dry camping, but it doesn't seem to be an urgent need or a must-have--more of a nice to have.

Thankfully, though preparations for the trip were rushed, Stephanie decided to take the driving somewhat slow. Live Oak, Florida is about 1,000 miles from our home at the Jersey Shore, and she broke it up into a bit over 300 miles each day. She didn't want to push herself while towing the Airstream Basecamp, (which she does when she drives without towing). So she stopped at two places on the way down (Americamps RV Resort near Richmond, and Point South KOA in South Carolina) and two places on the way back up (Santee Lakes KOA and Americamps again.) Americamps is an old RV Atlas favorite stopover for trips down south. Basically, she wanted all of her stops to be very close to 95. She also wanted them to have pull throughs that allowed her to stay hitched up. Each stop worked close to perfectly. Here are her quick thoughts on each of these campgrounds, followed by some thoughts and lessons from the road.

Campground Stops on the Way to Florida and Back

Americamps RV Resort

We think it is a stretch calling Americamps a "resort" but it is a solid, dependable campground for overnight stops near Richmond, Virginia that we have utilized for years. Stephanie stopped here on her way down to Florida, and then again on her way back. It is conveniently located near Interstate 95, and they offer long pull through sites that are great for overnight stops because you don't need to unhitch your RV and reposition your tow vehicle to fit into the spot.

Point South/Yemassee KOA Holiday

Stephanie loved the Point South KOA. They had nice level pull through sites and a convenient location near the interstate. an excellent coffee house and wine bar, and craft beer on tap. This is the perfect overnight stop for anyone heading down south or up north along 95. Customer service was also excellent. This KOA has an excellent reputation, and it was easy to see why.

Santee Lakes KOA Journey

Stephanie stopped at the The Santee Lakes KOA Journey on the way home from Florida and also found it to be a nice,

The RV Atlas podcast is back for the 2022 SEASON with a series of life (and rig) updates from Jeremy and Stephanie. The big news is that we are a two RV family once again! Stephanie has a brand new rig. And so does Jeremy. The first four episodes of our 2022 podcast season will be an update about our new rigs and our separate shakedown trips in those new rigs. Let's start with Stephanie's "new to her" Airstream Basecamp 16!

An Office, a She-Shed, or a Basecamp?

Stephanie was thinking about building a small office on our property. Or buying a vintage Airstream and fixing it up for a backyard office/she-shed. Working from home can be challenging, and she really wanted a work space where she wouldn't need to hush the kids up during meetings or times when she was trying to concentrate on a big project.

Then a listing for a lightly used 2018 Airstream Basecamp 16 popped up on our longtime dealer's website. Jeremy was getting ready to pick up his new Ember unit there anyway. So Stephanie decided to head to White Horse RV Center and take a look. The price was pretty reasonable and the pictures looked good! Could this be the she-shed of her dreams, while simultaneously being usable for solo getaways and work projects? The possibility was certainly intriguing. 

Jeremy had also been pushing her away from building a permanent structure on the property when she could buy an office on wheels and also use it for solo travel and work projects.

She went to look at the Airstream Basecamp 16, and she loved it.

To listen to Jeremy interview Stephanie about her "new" 2018 Airstream Basecamp 16 on the RV Atlas podcast, click on the media player above or subscribe wherever you get your shows.

To watch Patrick Botticelli's tour of the Airstream Basecamp 16, click on the video below!

https://youtu.be/oCp_FWbRSQA

Stephanie's Airstream Basecamp 16

Stephanie has actually loved the Airstream Basecamp 16 since it was re-released at Hershey a few years ago. The funny thing is that she actually likes the smaller floor plan better than the bigger one. Because she likes the front kitchen as opposed to the front dinette. A comfortable workspace was very, very important to her. She actually felt like she never had an RV with a dinette that was really comfortable to work in. She used to carry a table and chair out to the Eagle to work. In recent months, she has used a standing desk at home and thought the front kitchen in the Airstream Basecamp 16 would be perfect place to use that standing desk and be able to look out the wraparound front windows.

So she went to look at it and she was 100% not planning on buying it--because she wasn’t in any real rush. She spent a lot of time just hanging out in it and that confirmed that she just loved the feel of it inside for such a tiny trailer. The front panoramic windows bring in a ton of light. The side and back door both have screens for great airflow which is super important feature for her. She also hates using AC unless it is really hot. Then our dealer gave her a number that she just could not refuse. It would have been foolish to say no because because she knew what the market was and I figured if it didn’t work she could turn around and sell it for more.

So she bought it!

Zamp Solar Package

Solar was not on the spec sheet so she was really excited when she found out it has the factory solar package. No inverter though, so just 12v. She is considering getting a small inverter…nothing big. However, our truck does have a 110 outlet, so it’s really not an emergency. But either way, getting a good price and getting it with the solar package felt like a huge victory!

Her Airstream Basecamp 16 did not come with a microwave, but it has the space for one. And she does need a microwave. She is a cook,

We have covered the topic of RV show shopping in the past, but wanted to update our tips for the current shopping environment in 2022. The red hot RV market of 2020 and 2021 has softened a bit, and while obvious bargains may not be returning anytime soon, pricing may be coming back down to earth a little bit. Dealers have more supply in stock, and demand has cooled off a bit. When it comes to RV show shopping in 2022, some of the advantage may be returning to consumers. At the very least--the environment for consumers is better right now than it was in 2020 or 2021. Simultaneously, there are more options for RV shoppers than ever before. Several independent manufacturers are making a splash, and the big three (Thor, Forest River, and Winnebago) each boast an incredibly diverse lineup of products.

If you are RV show shopping in 2022 for the very first time, chances are you may get completely overwhelmed. But thankfully, the RV Atlas is here to help you. After attending RV shows for over a decade here are our 18 best tips for success. These expert and hard won tips for RV show shopping in 2022 will help you navigate the shopping process like a complete champ.

1. Trading in Your RV? Consider Selling it Privately BEFORE the Show

Trading your rig in at an RV show may not be your best option to maximize the price you get for it.  Consider selling your rig privately (or to another dealer) before the show and heading to the show with that part of the deal done. This will provide clarity of mind and simplify the already complex process of RV shopping at a crowded and hectic show. This way you can take your time and get the best price possible instead of potentially accepting a bargain-basement price from a dealer at the show who thinks that they are your only good option for a sale.

2. Understand the Difference Between a National, Regional, or Local RV Show

There are only a few truly national RV shows in the country. The Hershey Show, and the Florida RV SuperShow are the two that dominate the landscape. These shows are terrific places to get to see as many RVs as possible. Virtually every manufacturer in the country brings rigs to these shows. Only the smallest and most niche manufacturers in the country are not present. So if you can, get yourself to Hershey or Tampa! These shows both have a carnival like atmosphere (especially Tampa) and they are loads of fun. Stay overnight if you can, so you can patrol the show for at least two days. Regional show are often excellent as well, but are very dependent on what dealers are attending, and what manufacturers those dealers carry. So if you want to see something specific, like an Airstream, or a Winnebago Motorhome, then you might be out of luck. Local shows are often nothing more than a single dealer or two renting out a minor league stadium and selling hot dogs and popcorn. We tend to avoid local shows and go camping on those weekends instead.

3. Consider Shopping at an RV Show, But Purchasing Elsewhere

RV shows are definitely the best places for shopping. You get to see tons of RVs and take your time looking at them. But are they the best way to actually purchase an RV? That is a very debatable question here at RV Atlas headquarters. Many people get caught up in the madness and emotion of an RV show and make regrettable decisions. Others score great deals and will only buy at RV shows. So it depends on who you ask. It also depends on your mentality when visiting a show. If you can stay cool, calm, and collected, then by all means--go buy your next rig at a show.

4. Do RV Show Reconnaissance Before You Attend the Show

If you are going RV Show shopping in 2022, then make sure you do some serious research before you go. If you want to get focused and only look at Class C motorhomes, then find out where they are on the show map, and go look for them. At a big show like Hershey,

What goals do we have for the year ahead? How about you? Today, we are sharing camping resolutions for 2022 from Stephanie, Jeremy, the listeners, and the Facebook group with you!

Ice fishing AND camping? Count us in! Hannah and Dave are here to tell use all about their outdoor adventures in Minnesota. Growing up, they both went camping with their families. Now, they continue that tradition with their two little boys. During the winter months, they add a twist that might be unusual to those of us who aren't from the North: camping in a portable "ice house."