Joe Bussell has owned the Hidden Lake RV park in Ardmore, Oklahoma for 5 years..

“Recreational vehicles are a lot of fun but the worst place you can be in the event of a tornado” said Bussell.

Bussell said after seeing the damage that tornadoes can cause, not only in Joplin but close to home he decided this year it was time to make the park safer for his guests.

“A couple years ago there were tornadoes that came through Lone Gove and did heavy damage at a mobile home park, lost a life, and at that time I decided I wanted to build a storm shelter here” said Bussell.

The new storm shelter is 40 feet long and 8 feet wide, it was completed two months ago and can hold just over a hundred people.

The shelter was created from a used cargo shipping container, the kind used to ship goods overseas. Once the container was in place, the sides were shored up with concrete and gravel, and additional dirt was mounded around it. Railroad ties and steel piping were used to wall off the loose gravel and dirt and add a bit of rustic styling to the front entrance. After ventilation was added, the top was capped off with a thick concrete slab, which can also serve as a base for future construction.

The interior walls were painted to give the shelter a cleaner look. Bench seating was added to the sides, and ample room was left for standing or for guests who need extra accomodations, such as wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Overhead lighting was installed and emergency lights were provided in case of power loss. We also included power outlets for weather alert radios, etc.

“Haven’t used it yet but it’s there if we need it” said Bussell.

Emergency officials say RV and Mobile home parks are not the only places where people are vulnerable.14 % of those killed in the Joplin tornado were in their cars. Experts said if you are in your vehicle you should leave it immediately and seek shelter.

Full Report & Video…

2012 Michigan Campground Directory

RVers looking for destinations and activities that will stretch their minds and imaginations, without stretching their wallets, are invited to rediscover Michigan camping this summer. Camping is ranked the #1 outdoor vacation activity in the United States by the Travel Industry Association of America.

There are plenty of camp sites for RVers available at private campgrounds throughout both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas for the upcoming Memorial holiday weekend. Below, nearly three dozen campgrounds reported in with availability:

• Berwagana Campground – Vassar - www.berwaganacampground.com
• Clementz’s Northcountry Campground – Newberry - www.northcountrycampground.com
• Crystal Lake Campground – Ludington/Scottville - www.crystallakecamping.com
• Drew’s Country Camping – Holland - www.drewscountrycamping.com
• Drummond Island RV Park - Drummond Island - www.wawenresort.com
• Gaylord KOA - Gaylord  -  www.gaylordkoa.com
• Hidden Hill Family Campground - Harrison - www.hiddenhillcampground.com
• Holiday Camping Resort - New Era - www.holidaycamping.com
• Holiday Park Campground -  Traverse City - www.Michcampgrounds.com/holidaypark
• Indian River RV Resort & Campground - Indian River - www.indianrivercampground.com
• Irons RV Park & Campground  -  Irons - www.ironsrvparkandcampground.com
• Kalkaska RV Park & Campground - Kalkaska - www.kalkaskacampground.com
• Kampvilla RV Park - Bear Lake - www.kampvilla.com
• Lake Leelanau RV Park - Lake Leelanau - www.lakeleelanaurvpark.com
• Lakeview UM Campground - Lakeview - www.lakeviewcamp.org
• Leisure Time Campground - Irons - www.LeisureTimeCampground.com
• Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping - Mackinaw City - www.campmackinaw.com
• Matson’s Big Manistee River Camp. - Manistee - www.matsonscampground.com
• Myers Lake Campground - Byron - www.myerslake.org
• Oak Grove Resort Campground - Holland - www.oakgroveresort.com
• Paint River Hills Campground - Crystal Falls - www.prhcamp.com
• Pickerel Lakeside Campground - Bitely - www.LakeCamp-Cottages.com
• Sharp Park Campground - Middleville - www.campsharppark.com
• Snow Lake Kampground - Fenwick - www.snowlakekampground.com
• South Haven Family Campground - South Haven - www.southhavenfamilycg.com
• Traverse City KOA - Buckley - www.traversecitykoa.com
• Troll Landing Camp. & Canoe Rental - West Branch - www.trolllanding.com
• Twin Oaks Campground & Cabins - Wellston - www.twinoakscamping.com
• Vacation Trailer Park - Benzonia - www.vacationtrailer.com
• Waterways Campground - Cheboygan - waterwayscampground.com
• Wooded Acres Family Campground - Houghton Lake - www.woodedacrescampground.net
• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park - Indian River - www.jellystoneindianriver.com

Type and date(s) of site availability vary by property. This is not an all-inclusive list. This list includes campgrounds that responded back to a survey indicating availability, as of May 23, 2012. Availability subject to change. Reservations are required.

ARVC represents some 180 member campgrounds with nearly 30,000 sites available throughout the state. Whether pitching a tent, parking an RV or reserving a rustic or modern cabin, Michigan campgrounds offer a great way to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with families. Campers in Michigan enjoy the great outdoors while fishing or canoeing on the countless lakes, rivers and streams or hiking, biking and riding on the miles of trails that wind throughout the state. There’s definitely no shortage of activities, no matter where the campground is located.

The 2012 Michigan Campground Directory, published by ARVC – Michigan, is now available at various locations statewide, including all Welcome Centers. A PDF version is also available for viewing online at www.MichCampgrounds.com. The directory not only lists campgrounds by region, but also includes helpful information on the type of sites available, various amenities such as restroom, laundry and dumping station facilities; recreational offerings such as pools and golf courses; and seasons of operation. Campgrounds that now offer wireless internet access onsite are also identified.

Editor’s Note: The following story was written by Mike Magda and first appeared onwww.pickuptrucks.com. 

Back in the day, travel trailer owners used their personal vehicles or shop trucks to tote their Airstreams or Vagabonds cross country — there were no one-ton turbo-diesel crew cabs with navigation systems and leather seats. This is how real truckers went on vacation with their families.

The fifth annual Trail Along to Pismo vintage RV show was held last weekend in Pismo Beach, California, and it featured an eclectic collection of old pickup trucks, station wagons, woodies and a few truly unusual home-built tow vehicle creations. Highlights included a BMW pickup along with the Boles Aeros, Streamliners, Silver Streaks and the always cool Teardrops.

The show offers a nostalgic atmosphere, with kids riding around on Stingray bikes, women dressed in poodle skirts and all the trailers decorated in classic vintage decor.

Just one of many vintage rigs at the rally

See more great photos of vintage pickups and RVs here