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Friday, May 28, 2010

Vets Return From Greatest Generation RV Trip
The light rumble of thunder served as background to raucous applause and piercing whistles that rose up from the parking lot of Central Christian Church in South Beloit, Illinois., Thursday evening (May 20).

Road-weary veterans, 128 in all, climbed out of nine RVs and three charter buses single file, of course, following their four-day journey to Washington, D.C., to witness the World War II Veterans Memorial, a story first announced on trailerlife.com in March “The Greatest Generation RV Trip.”


Their trip was sponsored by Finnegans’ RV Center Inc. in South Beloit.

Red and white lights bounced off their exuberant faces as two fire trucks, with ladders extended, graced the entrance to the lot, an American flag draped between them.

“Welcome home, soldier” was heard as the veterans made their way out of the RVs, with “Mission Accomplished” signs pasted along the sides.

Hundreds of people filled the parking lot of the Beloit church, waiting patiently with their children and animals, some with blankets wrapped around them.

Madeline Slater, 3, and Jenna Schomber, 9, hoisted a sign that read “Welcome Home Nana and Pop.” They whirled around, hair whipping as they ran between their parents’ legs.

“It’s past their bedtime,” Madeline’s mother, Megan Slater, said with a smile.

Zach and Marisa Franks stood patiently as their children, Mandalyn, 6, and Zavier, 8, held signs with their cousins Azaria Martin, 8, and Aniya Martin, 6.

“They’re so excited,” Marisa said.

Even man’s best friend staked out a spot in the celebration. In attendance was Circle of Change, which trains dogs for emotional support for those who have suffered traumatic events. Londyn went on the VetsRoll trip to serve as an emotional support dog, and trainer Pat Muller was there to pick her up.

“Many of those vets suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, and one of our volunteers traveled on the trip with Londyn,” Muller said.

As the veterans slowly made their way inside to the Central Christian Church gymnasium, each was handed a vibrant red carnation and a pin that read “VetsRoll: Mission Accomplished.”

“Well, we made it all home in one piece,” Al Kath Jr. said. “Seeing the memorial is something you will never visualize until you actually see it, and its a wonderful memorial for all those people that never came back.”

Kath recalled the 775-mile trip home, where children lined up over some overpasses waving flags and hollering. It was a once in a lifetime deal, he said.

His son, Richard, volunteered to drive one of the RVs, and once his father’s wheelchair was settled he took a step back.

“They held up pretty well,” he said with a smile.

Harison Teague stood in a daze, looking around the gym filled with people. A young woman approached him, asking to take a photo with him. He gladly threw his arm over her shoulder, adjusted his Marines hat and waited for the camera flash.

“When you’re at my age, you get tired easily,” he said as he made his way to his seat. He tipped his hat back and smiled, waiting for the reception to begin.

Story courtesy of RV Business.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

RV Boondocking News Blog - Living Without Hook Ups


One of the skills for making boondocking enjoyable if you haven't installed solar panels is the efficient use of your available electricity, which will reduce the length of time you need to run your generator or engine to recharge batteries. Recharging batteries always takes longer than you think, and the sound of a running engine can detract from the otherwise peace and quiet of boondocking in the wild.

So the simplest and most efficient skill is learning where and how much electricity your rig uses and what you can do to reduce this usage. First the simple stuff:
  • Turn off all lights, including porch light and unneeded inside lights.
  • Turn off TV, radio, computer, etc. when not in use.
  • Don't leave electronics in stand-by mode, which still drains battery.
Next, change your old electricity-using habits acquired from too many years of too much cheap electricity.
  • Get up in the morning with the sun and go to bed at night when it does, saving the use of lights.
  • You can both recharge your batteries and stall their depletion by lumping heavy electrical usage together while running your generator. For example, if it's been a hot day, use the dinner hour to run your roof air-conditioner to reduce interior temps and your microwave for cooking. Then wash your evening dishes while your partner showers (both using the high-usage water pump), then you shower while your partner dries--all accomplished in little over an hour of running time. Your batteries will have lost none of their stored electricity, and you will have given them a boost as well.
  • Have plenty of rechargeable AA batteries for your book light, instead of using an interior light that drains your main house battery. Recharge when you get to hookups or with an inverter while on the road.
  • Train yourself to enjoy quiet, so that you don't automatically turn on the radio or television just to have some noise.
  • Cut down on your TV time by taking a walk after your evening meal. You not only reduce your TV time, but will get needed exercise and help digest your meal. And this time of day is the active period for birds and wildlife, so bring your binoculars.

Many of America's most scenic drives wind across and through remote public lands, such as our national forests (NF) and land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Though not receiving the same publicity as our National Parks and Monuments, the National Scenic Byways (NSB) and the especially notable All-American Roads are mostly low-traveled, two-lane roads that showcase historic, scenic, and cultural treasures that define America.

But since they are often remote, you sometimes cannot find private campgrounds with typical amenities, such as hook-ups, along the way and unfortunately may have to cover the whole route in one shot--from a RV resort at one end to one at the other. Unless, of course, you have honed your boondocking skills and are comfortable camping either in primitive (no hook-ups) government campgrounds or boondocking in the open forest.

These skills enable you to take your time, stopping often, even for a couple of days at a nice forested campsite, and exploring the area more fully. Some, with hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and hot springs you would have to skip if you weren't able to boondock along their routes--or spend time and fuel driving in and out of the forest from a developed campground at its extremities.

Scenic drives like Idaho's Payette River NSB follow wild and scenic rivers where you can spend a few hours or a couple days rafting the exciting rapids with a river rafting outfitter, or stay a couple days in a forest service campground along the Salmon River within walking distance to hot springs that flow through bathing pools and into the river.

At the National Scenic Byways Program's Web site you can request a free map and guide to the more than a hundred scenic byways to help plan your summer adventures.

Check out Bob Difley's BOONDOCKING and saving money on the road eBooks at RVbookstore.com

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Too Much Junk in the Trunk

Beware RV bumper clutter

In my RV travels I have seen all kinds of "bumper junk" attached to both the front and rear of RVs. It's understandable that RVers want to take along things that make RVing more fun. Many RVs don't have the extra storage capacity required to stow things like ladders, BBQs and bikes. The only places left for excess baggage are the roof, ladder and bumpers.

RVers need to be very careful how they store this stuff because frequently "bumper junk" blocks the signal lights. Besides being against the law, it is a major safety hazard. The biggest culprits in this regard are ladders. I see ladders strapped on the back of one out of three RVs on the road. I wonder what non-RVers think when they see a ladder strapped to another ladder on the back of an RV?

RVers love to use ladders to reach the tops of their rigs for washing and polishing. Here is an example of a 5th wheel with a ladder covering the driver side brake and turn signal.
This can be dangerous when you are merging into traffic.
Sometimes we RVers forget how long our rigs are while traveling down the road.
If the person passing us on our driver side doesn't see the signal, it could easily result in an accident. Always check and double check your mirrors to make sure you are clear to merge or change lanes.

If you are going to hang a ladder off the back of your RV be sure the tail lights are clearly visible.
I use a fold up ladder that is tall enough to wash the rig but can be neatly stowed away.
I don't particularly like these ladders because they aren't as stable as a standard ladder and the rungs are skinny and make you feet hurt when you've been standing on them for a while. This type of ladder, however, does not interfere with the tail lights and I don't use it often enough to warrant hanging a standard ladder on the back.

Bicycles can also block your tail lights. Whether you mount them on a ladder or on the back of a towed vehicle, be sure they don't obstruct your signal lights. Sending a clear signal that safety comes first - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Monday, May 24, 2010

What The Heck Is That? RV of the Future

Brick RV on tour


This RV built of bricks is touring the northern part of New Zealand's south island. The hefty Kiwi holiday icon, created by artist Peter Lange and entitled Holidays in Huntly, is cared for by the Waikato Museum which has displayed it since 2008.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

British concept RV clamshells open to let sunshine in

Well, if the traditional RV manufacturing industry suffered through the last economic downturn, how will the new thinkers fare in the future? Robert Williams, a UK designer rolls out his concept called forfreedom, that meshes a fuel efficient auto with a not-so-traditional fifth wheel "caravan," as they call them across the pond.

Williams concept not only tows along with the car (which is detachable) but it also breaks open at center, pivoting open to allow nature to flow in. Critics suggest that not only will fresh air find its way into the trailer, so will bugs. Be that as it may, it is an interesting looking affair, to say the least.

source: thedesignblog.com

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Vixen motorhomes--short lived, but what a concept

Like other interesting concepts, Vixen Motorhomes came out of California, built in the mid to late 1980s. Apparently the company built less than 600 of these fuel economical motorhomes, getting somewhere in the range of 22 to 30 miles per gallon. Said by some to be a terror to maintain mechanically, they do have an interesting line. The one shown above is an early production model from 1986.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Loaded to the gills motorhome

And you thought your rig was overloaded? Venice Beach, California by Kelsie DePirna on flickr.com by creative commons license.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

i Phone - Cool Pet App

By Julee Meltzer
One of the more difficult things about traveling full-time is to get the proper access to all of the technology you need. In a traditional home or home office, you can get landline phones, broadband Internet, fax machines, and everything else, relatively quickly and cheaply. And, as most of you know, it isn't so easy on the road.

But, things are improving dramatically. I just ordered a new device from Verizon (called MyFi), which will take a mobile broadband signal and give you a local Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five connections. It is coming in the mail today, so I will let you know.

But, what does all of this have to do with dogs and cats?

Well, there are some really interesting new software and technology that are really useful to pet owners.

An iPhone app for finding dog parks
dogparkfinder.jpg
Dog Park Finder iPhone screenshots

DogParkUSA.com and the Dog Park Finder iPhone App have teamed up to index and map all the dog parks in the U.S. and, most importantly, make them accessible to you online and via your mobile device. Dog Park Finder has leveraged the information that DogParkUSA.com has compiled since it began in 2007. Together DogParkUSA.com and Dog Park Finder bring users detailed, accurate information on over 2,000 dog parks and over 3,000 reviews and pictures of individual dog parks across the country.

The Dog Park Finder application features hand placed map markers that give the exact locations of each dog park; finds local dog parks nearby your current location; lets you read user ratings, reviews, and comments on the dog parks you find; allows you to search dog parks by city, state, and zip code; and provides detailed information about each park, including park fees, hours of operation, fencing information, doggy amenities (such as swimming areas), and other important notes about the park.

Once you’ve used Dog Park Finder to locate and visit all the dog parks in your area, you can rave about your favorite dog parks on DogParkUSA.com. Rate your local dog parks, write a glowing review or critique, upload pictures, and email the dog park information to a friend.

Don’t limit yourself to dog parks in your neighborhood. Use DogParkUSA.com to find dog-friendly hotels around the country and take a vacation with your dog! Keep in mind that “dog-friendly” doesn’t mean “off-leash”. Your pooch will still need to run around at a local dog park for exercise. Since dogs are the most common pets to take on a vacation, bringing Dog Park Finder on the road is a great option. Instead of pulling in at a truck stop on your road trip, use Dog Park Finder to get directions to the closest dog park and let your dog stretch her legs too.

Whether you’re on a road trip across the country, a weekend drive, or a stroll through your neighborhood, your dog needs to run off-leash. You can use Dog Park Finder and DogParkUSA.com to help you find the best dog park near you…wherever you are!

You can find the app at one of these links:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dog-park-finder/id362002678?mt=8

http://www.dogparkusa.com/iphone/dog-park-finder

Find an Adoptable Pet Almost Anywhere

Now it's easier than ever to find your perfect pet for adoption! Petfinder.com lets you search more than 290,000 pets from over 13,000 shelters and rescue groups. It's also easy to share pet profiles via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail; bookmark your favorite pets; read heartwarming adoption stories and more. It's a great way to find adoptable pets on the go -- and best of all, it's free! Here is a brief summary from the Apple iTunes Store:

With the app, you can:

  • Browse adoptable pets in your area or nationwide
  • Search pets by breed, age, gender and size
  • Swipe and select pet photos to view in more detail
  • View complete pet information and descriptions
  • "Favorite" adoptable pets so you can find them again
  • Add notes and comments to your favorite pet profiles
  • Share pets with your friends via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter
  • Call, e-mail or get directions to the shelter or rescue group that has your perfect pet
  • Read touching Happy Tail adoption stories

You can find the app at one of these links:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/petfinder-com-mobile-application/id354876999?mt=8

http://www.petfinder.com/promotions/petfinder-iphone-app

Find an Emergency (or non-emergency) veterinarian on the Road

We all hope that we won't ever need an emergency veterinarian. But, when you do need one, there are a couple of websites that can help:

VetLocator

This site was started by pet owners for pet owners. Their goal is to have an online directory that is well laid out, very fast, extremely easy to use and filled with the resources a pet owner needs for his pet's health.

In an emergency a pet owner can find a 24 hour emergency veterinary hospital within a few seconds simply by entering their zip code, read articles on life saving emergency techniques, put together a pet first aid kit, and understand what a trip to an emergency pet hospital is like.

vetlocator.jpg
Home Screen of VetLocator.com

Yext Vets
Whether you're looking for a veterinarian who specializes in pet canaries or one who specializes in dogs and cats, Yext Vets has them all. With over 20,000 veterinarians and animal hospitals, you'll never have to worry about finding the right doctor for your beloved companion. Yext Vets offers detailed listings with Office Hours, List of Services, and Directions.

You can find the sites at one of these links:

http://www.vetlocator.com

http://www.yext.com/vets/

Stay Tuned. Next month, I will continue the high tech theme with some really useful websites for traveling with pets.

Julee Meltzer is the co-author (along with her husband Jack) of "Woodall's Camping and RVing with Dogs" available at (Camping and RVing with Dogs).She is also the co-author of the "RV Makeover Bible" available at http://www.desertwindspress.com

Road Recipes

Janet Groene’s
Dump Truck
Potato Soup

This soup is piled high with tasty goodness that each person dumps on according to tastes and appetites. Carry chicken broth in cans or cartons or use 6 cups water and 6 chicken bouillon cubes. Bring as many toppings as you like.

½ stick butter
3 cans, 15 ounces each, diced potatoes, well drained
1 large or 2 medium onions, diced
6 cups chicken broth
13-ounce can evaporated milk
Potato flakes (optional)

Dump-On Toppings
Bring as many as you like. Ideas include:
Shredded Cheddar cheese or thin slabs of Romano
Sour cream or creme fraiche
Real bacon bits or fried-out tidbits of salt pork
Dried chives, parsley or other herbs
Croutons, pretzels or cheese crackers
Sliced scallions, diced tomatoes
Shredded carrots or other root vegetables

In a roomy saucepan, melt the butter over medium flame and stir in the onions and potatoes to coat well. Stir-fry to brown potatoes and onion. Add broth, cover, reduce flame and simmer until onions are tender. Stir in milk and heat through. Do not boil.

If you prefer a thicker soup, slowly stir in potato flakes a tablespoon at a time. For a thinner soup, add more broth, water or bouillon.

Ladle into soup bowls and pass toppings around so everyone can "doctor" their own soup.

See more of Janet’s RV-ready recipes at
http://www.CampAndRVCook.blogspot.com
Do you snack at the wheel? Janet also creates affordable, homemade trail mix recipes seen at
http://www.CreateAGorp.blogspot.com

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Recreational Vehicle Outlook For 2010

Recreational Vehicle Industry Sees Bright Future for 2010

Despite record declines in RV shipment levels for 2009 many RV dealers are optimistic about the future. Inventories are low and RV dealers are placing orders with RV manufacturers to boost depleted inventories to gear up for the spring rush that is expected to hit this year.
Well know author and RV expert Randall Eaton, remembers what his dad told him many years ago, “You need to be diversified and put money away for a rainy day”. This is good advice and many RV companies probably wish they were more diversified with cash reserves in the bank. In 2009 the industry witness a number of well-known RV manufacturers go under and just recently Country Coach has closed its doors and a popular travel trailer manufacturer in Canada, Glendale has announced it is filing for Bankruptcy protection.

No doubt 2009 was one of the worst years ever to hit the RV industry in a decade. But with any bad news – eventually comes good news. As the 47th Annual National RV Trade Show opens this week at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, manufacturers, suppliers and RV dealers will notice a much smaller event compared to years past. But, Optimism is starting to creep back into the industry with many believing the improvement in wholesale shipment levels and more favorable lending guidelines will attract new RV buyers.

Many economists are predicting an increase in overall retail sales to rise 20% to 30% in 2010. Yes, the Great Recession has ended, thank God. Yet, the casualties are still being counted and the damage is staggering. Here are some changes caused by the economic downturn in 2009:
  • From 2006 through 2008, towable and motorhome manufacturing shed a total of 6,000 jobs, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Among the manufacturers going into bankruptcy court were Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. (towable division only), Monaco Coach Corp, Country Coach Inc. and Glendale.
  • Companies that are no longer in business include Pilgrim RV, Weekend Warrior, Sun Valley and AmeriCamp.
  • Amid the manufacturers with new owners are Coachmen (bought by Forest River), Fleetwood RV (bought by a private equity firm), Monaco Coach (bought by Navistar International Corp. and renamed Monaco RV) and Travel Supreme (bought by Jayco Inc. and renamed Entegra).
  • Wholesale shipments have plunged by 60% compared to 2008.
History shows us each time the RV industry suffers economically it comes back stronger than before. What will the industry look like in 2010 and 2012? According to Mr. Eaton he believes the industry will mainly focus on three things:
  1. Light weight RVs
  2. Green technologies
  3. More aerodynamic designs to increase fuel economy
The industry is obsessed with improving their products making them lighter, stronger and more environmentally friendly. If the industry is successful in developing these types of RVs, I believe consumers will come back in droves as the economy improves.

Author & Senior Editor
Randall Eaton

California Assembly Considers Bill Banning RV Holding Tank Chemicals

Watching Sacramento

California's legislature is considering a law that would ban the use of six different chemicals in RV holding tanks. The bill, introduced by California Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Santa Cruz, would ban the use of RV holding tank chemicals that contain bronopol, dowicil, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde and para-dichlorobenzene. These six chemicals have been shown to cause damage to some types of septic systems and can poison groundwater supplies.
California has tried to regulate holding tank chemicals before. In 2005, the State Water Resources Control Board notified 25 Southern California parks and campgrounds that they should prohibit RVs from emptying waste into the parks' septic systems. The state also closed at least two state park dump stations after research showed that the formaldehyde in certain RV holding tank chemicals had caused damage to the state park dump stations' septic tanks.
Changes in California laws regulating RVs can reveal safety problems that may have gone unnoticed. The California Lemon Law allows consumers who have serious and irreparable problems with their motor home or RV to receive a full refund or a replacement vehicle.
If you've tried multiple times to fix a defective motor home without success, you may have a lemon. An experienced lemon law lawyer can help you document and investigate your case and get the compensation you deserve. The Law Offices of Howard D. Silver is committed to offering quality legal assistance to consumers who have mistakenly purchased a lemon motor home or RV. If you think you've got a lemon, call Howard D. Silver today at 866-49-LEMON for a free, confidential consultation.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Jenny Kelly's Traveler Blog

Visiting The USS Midway in San Diego


Saturday, April 10, 2010

10.04.2010

Des and I went to see the USS Midway Air Craft Carrier which is a decommissioned ship floating in the Naval Harbour of San Diego. It's a tourist attraction now and very interesting. They do these things so well in the US. There were volunteers, who had once served on the ship, giving us information about the vessel. It was huge.We were informed 225,000 people served on the Midway during its service years.There was also a retirement ceremony in progress, for an officer of the Navy, very formal and official. The Naval personnel were very nicely dressed in their uniforms.

We saw many aircraft on the deck of the Midway, helicopters and planes Welcome aboard Des
Welcome aboard Des
. We had lunch on the aft of the Midway, overlooking all the tall buildings of the city of San Diego. It was fun being a tourist for the day. It was also enjoyable observing the different people here in the US. The citizens seem quite flamboyant and confident.

There was a memorial to Bob Hope on the shore with audio of one of his many concerts to the troops. It was very well done, with his audience of troops in bronze all around him.

I loved a huge statue of a sailor with his girl in his arms, which dominated the parklands. Children were playing around the legs of the embracing couple.

The boardwalk was made of hardwood and was very easy to walk on. We had a most interesting day, crowd watching and learning something.  
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