Washington woman turns old caravan into forest dream home

A motorhome was destroyed by fire Sunday at Starved Rock Family Campground in rural La Salle County, Illinois. Fire crews arrived within 20 minutes but found the vehicle fully engulfed. The owner rescued one dog; a second perished. No injuries were reported, though three nearby campers sustained heat damage. The Red Cross is assisting the owner.

In Pooler, Georgia, Make-A-Wish and Camping World of Savannah surprised 5-year-old George Handley and his family with a camper. George was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2022, also battled pneumonia and COVID-19, and spent three weeks in a medically induced coma. He has been cancer-free since May 2025. The camper was chosen because George enjoys traveling with his family, which includes five siblings.

Richard Smith, 81, works seven days a week, combining work at a campsite in New Hampshire with food delivery via DoorDash. He and his wife use a 'workamping' arrangement: labor in exchange for free or discounted RV parking. Smith admits he failed to build adequate savings in his youth due to early marriage and work demands. Pew Research Center data shows a growing number of Americans over 75 remain in the workforce for financial reasons.

Rising tourism in Las Vegas is driving demand for RV rentals, as travelers increasingly use the city as a base for trips to national parks and other Southwest destinations. RVibe has expanded its fleet to 14 Class C and Class A motorhomes to meet growing demand. Industry experts attribute the trend to travelers seeking more flexible and experience-driven vacations.

The Bailey family of six sold their home and has been traveling across the US in an RV since 2019. The decision was prompted by a delayed diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in one of their children, which nearly proved fatal. After a year-long break, they plan to resume their journey this summer in a larger RV.

WDR will air a documentary about a camper van trip through US national parks. The program features Sequoia, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon. Airing June 7, 2026.