Hidden Valley is Now a "Plan-It" Green Certified Park

HIDDEN VALLEY RV PARK
is a certified
PLAN-IT Green Park

     Hidden Valley RV Park has recently applied and qualified for the 🌎"Plan-It" Green sustainable park program hosted by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC.)  There are 16 initiatives of which a park must be practicing at least 9, to qualify.  We currently practice 11, with plans to incorporate more as conditions permit.  Here are the initiatives we qualified with and resolve to uphold: 

1. Actively demonstrates and communicates conservation and recycling practices to employees and guests.
2. Park provides recycle bins for cans, paper, glass and/or plastic

Electric Bill Got You "Hot?"

 

Whether you live in a house, manufactured home or your RV, if you pay your own electric, the extreme temperatures and utility company increases can really get under your skin.  No matter the state of your current residence you've no doubt noticed increases in your bill.  To be fair to the utility companies, much of the electricity we use is within our control to decrease.  There are plenty of ways to reduce energy use, and consequently, save money. Some are free, others require an investment.  Let's look at a few tips from local electric companies.

No Cost Tips

These simple steps don't cost a thing, but can potentially save you 10 to 25% on your monthly energy bill.

To "Lock" or "Not To Lock" Your RV Site

Shopping for the perfect campsite 

Remember back in the day, when you reserved a site, you could ask for your favorite site and if was still available you could have that site saved for you?  Families would reserve the same sites each summer for their vacations.  There wasn't any extra fee for this guarantee.

Fast forward to 2023, this practice still exists at some campgrounds but at many, you reserve a site type (pull thru, back in, 50 Amp, etc.) and get put where the park puts you.  Unless, of course you put in a site lock fee.  What IS a lock fee and why does locking a site have an extra fee?

Site Lock Fees

Ever drive around a sold out campground and wonder how a 14 foot pop up ended up on a 110 foot site?  Here’s how that happens. The guest booked that site online. They picked that specific site and locked it. Now its important to note that some campgrounds will not let you pick what site you want. You may not even know, or care. In the past, other campgrounds like Hidden Valley RV Park let you select the exact site you wanted when booking. However that sometimes hurts the campground, how?

Imagine this sequence of events:

July 4th weekend and Hidden Valley is almost sold out.  The only sites left are a 100' and a 30' site.  A family with a pop up goes online and books the 100' site. Now a guest calls looking for a site for his

Are You A "YES" Person?

Don't you love that person who always says "YES" to every request?  While we all try to be that person, it's not always the healthiest modus operandi.  

No matter the time of year - we seem to be getting more and more busy, and for many, the advent of the holiday season can evoke an array of emotions, including feelings of being overwhelmed.  Preparing dishes, shopping, parties, family, performances and more - can feel like too much to manage.  

Perhaps you’re the one who makes those special decorations that everyone loves or the food dish that's requested for seemingly every party, (in San Antonio, think tamales.) 

Or maybe you’re the one who always picks up family from the airport.  The requests to do more during an already event-filled time of year can feel like a lot to juggle, especially on top of normal, day-to-day obligations. 

But even during non-holiday seasons, workplace demands, family plans, commitments to friends and colleagues and even recreational choices that we love, can cause a feeling of over taxing ourselves.  

It’s important to remember that just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should, and it’s okay to say no.  The situation can be as big as a business decision or as small as agreeing to babysit for the grandkids.  However, that’s often easier said than done, so here are some tips to help empower you the next time you need to say no:

Why You'll "Fall Hard" for Fall in San Antonio

 Thanks to KSAT 12 for providing this great list of reasons to "Fall Hard" for Fall in San Antonio.

September is one of my favorite months because it’s the start of fall and the beginning of less sizzling weather but very sizzling attractions and events. Technically fall doesn’t officially start until the autumnal equinox on Sept. 22 but pumpkin-flavored goodies have already hit the shelves and the ever-coveted pumpkin Spice latte is back at Starbucks.  Here’s to hoping the fall is cooler than this scorching summer has been and that it brings a little rain.

Here’s a list of some of the events going on in the San Antonio area in September:

Top Left: Festival of Lights, Top Right: 13th Floor, Bottom Left: SeaWorld San Antonio, Bottom Right: Parktoberfest (Johnathan Alonzo, Joe Chidgey, KSAT 12)

New 2023-24 San Antonio guides are here!

We're still waiting for our shipment to get to the office so make sure to download a digital copy HERE if
you want to stay in the know while you're visiting our beautiful city and Hidden Valley RV Park.  You also can stop by the Visitor's Center across the street from the Alamo for a free copy.  In the guide you'll find popular local eats, events and festivals info, nightlife tips from locals, historical spots, dog friendly places and even things to do in close surrounding cities like Fredericksburg.  

The digital copy has each attraction or restaurant linked so you can easily browse to the establishment's website to check for hours, pricing and directions while you're out and about.

Before you plan your itinerary, give us a call or BOOK YOUR RV SITE for the coming fall/winter season at your San Antonio RV destination, Hidden Valley RV Park

Meet the Hidden Valley Team

 

Rachel B Cardenas, a familiar face of the Hidden Valley RV Park team has been our office manager since her official start here in 2019.  Growing up at Hidden Valley she has a special place in our hearts and we like to think the park’s in her heart too. 

Her firsthand experience with customer service, computer systems and communications has been a great benefit for the park and our guests.  Read on to learn more about Rachel.

Where is your favorite place to camp?

I most often camp on Port Aransas Beach in the Gulf Coast.  I love the small beach town feel and that it is full of pet friendly areas and happy people.  Garner State Park is a close second choice for the river tubing and getting to the top of their hiking trails.  

What do you enjoy most about working at Hidden Valley RV Park?

I love the team I work with here plus the beautiful sunsets are the perfect close to my day.  I also really enjoy meeting new guests from all over the world and seeing them come back for years to see us at Hidden Valley RV. 

What does the Hidden Valley promise – “Southern hospitality” – mean to you?

Attention to details, going the extra mile and exceeding expectations by becoming our guest’s personal concierge, providing directions to attractions, parking options, new and unique events or things to do and just making our guests feel like family.  I want to make sure you love our city as much as we do! 

What Hidden Valley RV Park improvements in the area of customer care have you been a part of?

Implementation of a simplified and streamlined online reservation system for our guests.

Developing a touchless registration system to save our guests time and for their safety during the pandemic 

Tell us more about Hidden Valley RV Parks plans for the future.

There are some big changes in the works but they’re still in the development stage.  Keep on the watch at the park and on our Facebook page as the new year comes around.  Yep, it’s a cliff hanger!

RV Movies to Make You Laugh and Cry

 

Best RV Movies

This list of RV Movies will have you grabbing the popcorn and maybe even the tissues!

RV
This comedy stars Robin Williams and Jeff Daniels and has the best dumping scene in any movie ever; with a massive explosion that leaves Bob (Robin Williams) covered in an unpleasant situation. The funny thing is we have all been there. Bob goes to the dump and realizes he has no clue what he is doing. So, two kindhearted fellow campers offer advice, but they are as clueless as Bob. This scene alone is worth watching it repeatedly.
There are lots of mishaps along the way on this RV adventure! A run in with racoons, his laptop gets stolen, no internet (we’ve all been there) and constant run ins with an obnoxious, banjo playing, partridge family singing family that sells car horns for a living. This movie will have you laughing, singing and saying, "OMG, that's so US!"

We Are the Millers
This is a very adult movie! It is packed full of comedy, truth and intense moments that leave you cringing. It is the type of movie that has you up pacing and covering your

Is There Something Spooky Lurking in Your RV?

Dark, damp and dreaded by many. Often smelly and always unhealthy.  You may have guessed that this dastardly nemesis is MOLD and it's equally unwelcome cousin, MILDEW.  While mold can be an enemy anywhere from house to boat to garage, RVs have a propensity to produce this stuff of our nightmares.  

Yuck, MOLD

In addition to being bad for the RV or home, causing rotting and decay of the building materials, mold is particularly damaging to our respiratory systems. My husband is highly allergic to this fuzzy growth and it throws him for a loop even when it's in the outside air.

So, that begs the question, how can it be prevented, especially in our RVs?

Run a Dehumidifier

There are many electric air purifiers and dehumidifiers available through Amazon, hardware and big box stores that can pull moisture, that causes mold to form, out of the air.  These do a decent job but only when your RV is plugged in to shore power not when it's in storage.

Use Damp Rid Crystals

Available from Amazon

 

 

This is a pretty neat device that requires no electricity. All you do is put the crystals in the cup and leave it out to do its job. When all of the crystals have dissolved, it is time to replace them.You'll be surprised at the amount of moisture it pulls out of the air and into the cup.

 

 

 

 

Air Condition the Old Fashioned Way

Open the windows and roof vents and let fresh air clean the damp RV air for you.  When condensation collects and never has a chance to dry out, that is when mold occurs. Open a vent and a window, or a couple of windows to get the air flowing through your rig. This may not work well in very humid areas though.

Use Fans or Heaters or both

Fans keep the air moving and can help to keep moisture from settling. Depending on how large your RV is, you may want to use two or three fans in order to cover the entire area. Using both fans and a heater works quickly ot move out and dry out an RV.  Small electric heater are generally fine but your propane RV heater can be used as well if propane is readily available where you are and not priced sky high.

Window Insulation

Window Insulation will create a barrier that keeps condensation that has formed on the window from reaching your living area. It also helps to keep heat from escaping.  I've seen products at Walmart and even some DIY projects using bubble wrap that both claim to prevent condensation on windows and around the sills.

Dry Wet Surfaces With a Cloth

When you see condensation forming on hard surfaces in your RV, wipe them up. Don’t leave your windows, counters, walls, and vents holding moisture. When you see it, wipe it up.

Use a Digital Humidity Meter

Ideally, you want to try to keep your humidity level inside between 30% and 50%. A hygrometer, or digital Humidity Meter can help. Some dehumidifiers come with hygrometers installed, but you can also purchase them separately from Amazon and elsewhere.

Inspect Your Pipes Regularly

Pipes can crack or leak, allowing moisture to collect in your walls and compartments. Check those areas regularly to make sure they aren’t any leaks or moisture and if there is, tend to it immediately.

Make Sure Your Bathroom Is Properly Ventilated

Bathrooms make a perfect mold habitat. Most people keep the door closed so it is essentially shut tight with no real air movement. The moisture can build and lead to some nasty mold. Open the vent regularly and let the fan run, especially after someone has taken a shower. Also, leave the door open. A heater at the doorway, run until the air is dry can be helpful.  Keep wet towels and bathmats elsewhere till they are dry.

Run Your Oven/Stove Fan While Cooking

Cooking generates a lot of moisture. Turn on the range fan while you are cooking and keep the lids on the pots as much as possible. If it is dry outside, open some windows. If it isn’t dry, consider turning on the central heat or a fan for a while. Heat dries up the moisture while cooler temperatures encourage it. Keep that in mind when you are fighting mold. If you need to get rid of moisture in your RV, turn up the heat.

This Water Damage and Mold Remediation Link has some tips to get rid of persistent mold.

What about y'all?  Do you have any mold busting tips?  Tell us about them below in the comments.
  

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. There is no additional cost to you. Full Affiliate Disclosure

Team member Rae B, is a long-time part of the Hidden Valley family.  Born and raised right in the park, she has a unique perspective to share Hidden Valley and San Antonio inside info. 

Stop by the Trading Post to meet up with Rae and the rest of the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) staff. 

                                                          

RV Safe Go Bag

Wouldn't this be a great gadget to put by your RV door or fire escape window for your valuables?Amazon link below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                        

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. There is no additional cost to you. Full Affiliate Disclosure

BUY HERE