Issue 21. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Diary published weekly since 2001

Hope our USA friends enjoy a great Memorial Day weekend – so sorry I screwed up last week. I really thought the two holiday weekends coincided. Well now I get to enjoy two holiday weekends because I frequently work with USA companies that are closed so I am enjoying a second holiday weekend. Have a great time but take time to remember troops abroad. Cool

Just like our weekend last week – your climate seems to be very irregular. Can the weatherman ever get the climate to be agreeable, so we RVers who love to be outdoors can do so in comfortable temps? Cool


WHAT A BUSY WEEK WE HAVE HAD


Although it is Saturday and another Diary Day we have been out socializing this morning. My sister Diane and hubby Don drove from Trenton (3-4 hours east) to London for their grandson Jacob’s 13th B’Day. So Don, Di, Jacob and his mom Sandi joined us at the Family Circle for breakfast this morning. Our visit was short but it was so good to see these guys. We do not expect to go east this year so it was so good to see Di and Don came our direction even for a short stop – plus to be able to celebrate Jacobs B’Day. We love our breakfasts so this made for a great start to our weekend. Happy B’Day Jacob! Cool

Last MONDAY was still a holiday and although the stores were closed local many activities helped everyone forget it was cold. This park plus nearby London and many other communities held impressive firework displays (some were on Sunday night). I took advantage of the quiet day to do more editing on my RV Travel to Canada ebook. It is now done – see more info below. Cool

I mentioned a few weeks ago we had some impressive detailing done on the upper sides of our coach. It looked dazzling in the sunshine but a few days later while we were at our RV dealer for maintenance, under the florescent lights the passenger side had a few areas that although they were shiny, they were less than perfect. Bob Cook’s Auto Detailing fully guarantees his work so last TUESDAY we returned to the shop and Bob redid the area under the awning. Thanks Bob – now the coach looks great in the sunlight as well as in an enclosed area. Cool

WEDNESDAY we joined good friends Trudy and Rod for lunch at Dean Michael's Griddlehouse in Woodstock – this comfortable unique restaurant is at a halfway point between their park in Kitchener-Waterloo and ours in London. It even includes a gift shop that features creative crafts or jewellry and one-of-a-kind unique additions for your home. Wonderful to see you guys. Next stop for us was to pick up mail another ½ hour down the road. One good thing about living in southwestern Ontario is most businesses we deal with are all located within an hour from our summer home. Cool

On THURSDAY we were off to our storage 2.5 hours away – our ‘stuff’ has been in the same facility for the past 20 years. It was also time to offload some of our on board ‘junk’ and to recover our toaster oven that we dropped off two years ago. Our wants and wishes change from time to time. Cool

I enjoy riding my bike (we only replaced ours about a year ago after a long drought of not having any) but when the tires needed pumping up it was always a chore to find a ready supply of air. Yes there are portable pumps available but they need a lot of effort, plus we had a perfectly good ¾ HSP compressor in storage collecting dust. It was a beautiful day for a drive so we took the longer leisurely route up through magnificent scenery and a more direct route home. It was good to visit with manager Mike (from Stow-A-Way Storage) and make sure everything was in good shape.Gas isn't high in Ont right now Cool

One day soon we really must spend time at storage to off load the collected junk and reassess the value of some of the contents. It has been about 5 years since we last went through everything. Originally in the mid 80’s we put furniture and things (many wedding presents) in storage for 2 years At the 9-year mark we sold our valuable furniture at an auction for pennies My advice is to sell the good stuff or loan it to family and friends – so you can visit ‘it’ occasionally. Cool

At any rate, if and when we do settle down I will have to learn how to become proficient selling things on E-Bay. If we have not used something for 22 years I somehow do not think all these expensive extras are really important to our world any longer. Cool

_________________________________

RV TRAVEL TO CANADA 2007 E-BOOK

FRIDAY I glued myself to my computer. As a result I am happy to report that my updated version of this ebook will be available for sale on my website by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. The content has not changed much but there are a vast number of updated website addresses and phone numbers. Attention to anyone who has bought the 2006 version since last fall. Because this is a reference guidebook, IF YOU CAN SEND ME PROOF OF PURCHASE – either an email from me or a receipt from bookseller from October on – I will be happy to send you an updated copy - just let me know. This offer will only run till 15 June 2007. Cool

____________________________________

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is SATURDAY again and one more time I do not know where the week went. Thankfully next week should be a bit more relaxed. Now I can begin to put together my 'Canada Hotspot Power Point' seminar for the RV School in Kelowna BC. During this weeks research I rediscovered a website that over flows with mega info about Canada. It has an excess of 400 NON-COMMERCIAL pages covering everything from Canadian Anthems to Trivia, to Icons to Government Stats to so very, very much more. Check it out at www.craigmarlatt.com/canada/ No matter what country you call home you will be shocked at what you will find. Cool

Writing the ‘RVING CANADA BLOG’ for RVTravel.com I am discovering even more wonders of this vast and fantastic country we Canadians call home.

This week on the Blog I discussed ...

***changes in prices at phone booths – as of 1 June rates go up to 50 cents per local call ($1.00 if Cr Cd is used)
***plus general info reference the Ferry to Newfoundland (excerpts of above e-book)
***along with a detailed report of destinations at Grand Codroy and Signal Hill – both convenient stopping spots at each end of the Ferry ride in this one-of-a-kind incredible province.
***If you compare the cost of the Ferry to a tank full of gas/fuel to drive the same timeframe, the Ferry ride price is reasonable.
***On Friday I also posted a story about Canada’s DART (Disaster Assistance Response Team).



Take a look – http://rvtravel.com/blog/canada/index.shtml Must go for today. Enjoy the season and stay away from those orange barrels and road gaiters. P&J Cool Cool Cool


RV PROMOS/NEWS


Don’t forget to check out Mark Polk’s new Blog from RVEducation.com at http://rvingwithmarkpolk.blogspot.com It is loaded with numerous short tips to simplify Life on the Move. Mark also added two new titles – ‘RV Care & Maintenance’ and ‘RV Upgrades’ to his DVD/Video collections bringing the total to 11 RV Instructional DVD’s. See his complex listings at http://rveducation101.com/cart/shopaff.asp?affid=12

_____________________________________

We have had a number of requests about our new acquisition of COAST TO COAST (C2C) AND RESORTS PARK INTERNATIONAL (RPI) PLUS (the ‘Plus’ includes a complimentary membership to RPI’s 50% Discount Camping Club called ‘Enjoy America’). These are two of the most popular membership park systems that offer deep overnight discounts – there are others! RVers buy into a membership park for a purchase price from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars – plus annual dues. Packages range from a ‘3-lifetime’ plans - usage can be passed onto the kids, or a ‘one’ lifetime for your use only. To use C2C and RPI you also pay a small annual fee to each club. BUT members only pay $8.00 p/n ($10.00 Cdn) – stay up to a week, twice p/yr at each resort.

John and I bought into Shiloh RV Park, Monroe LA a year ago. Park price was low with first year dues at $69.00 – $99.00 in future years. However we can walk away from this plan at any time for a small fee. SEND ME AN EMAIL FOR MORE DETAILS.

_______________________________


CANADIAN MILITARY PENSION CLAWBACK AT AGE 65 is an ongoing quest. Read the latest letter in the fight on www.rvliving.net/forum ‘Important Things We All Should Know’ forum. Please pass the info on to your Canadian Forces retired buddies. The more support we can muster the better chance we have to reverse this travesty.

_________________________________


MY INCREDABLE INTERNET SATELLITE DISH IS STILL #1. It is so wonderful to be on line 24/7 wherever we go. We no longer chase campgrounds offering WiFi or try to find a place to log onto dial-up locations or even to put in a landline. The ease of set-up, fantastic unrestricted tech support with no cut off time frame, reasonable monthly rates, and superior quality equipment are only a few of the numerous reasons why I simply LOVE my Hughes.net Satellite Dish Tech Mobile.

Even those who do not live in Canada – give my supplier a call. These Dishes can also be mounted as stationary on any house or structure etc wherever you live. FYI – ‘3iCommunications’ has changed its name to ‘Tech Mobile Communications and Wireless’ http://techmcw.com (under construction at this point). Call (705) 878-9252 or Toll Free: (866) 494-4801. However they still offer the same great service. Read the whole story at www.rvliving.net/EarlyObserationsDirecWay.htm


TIPS THIS WEEK are from RV PACKING TIPS E-BOOK RV LIFE LESSONS section ...
See www.rvliving.net/PackingTipsEbookSalePage.htm


EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE (ERS)

One more RV Life Lesson. Those travelling without an Emergency Road Service policy – NEED TO GET ONE!!!!! The cost of one tow will generally be higher than the price of an annual policy. Each year we have one or two calls on either the car or the motorhome. RV Clubs sell these policies and maybe your Insurance Company does as well. Shop around because each policy offers different benefits.

Mainly you want.

1. Unlimited service calls; 2. Towing for unlimited distance – to a reputable facility;
3. Two tow-trucks if required (one for tow vehicle plus one for the towable). 4: Be sure either the member or the RV owner team are covered for service.
NOTE: None of us know when a mechanical problem will surface. A $1000.00 repair is not uncommon – nor is a major breakdown.



Remember your RV is both a house and a vehicle – so breakdowns do happen. If you set-up a $5000.00 EMERGENCY FUND there will be no need to stretch your day-to day travel money to pay for repairs. Our fund is a zero balance credit card that we can use to buy us time. We simply make minimal payments till we can rearrange funds.

___________________________

CONTINGENCY FUND

This is the other half of the Emergency equation. At the time of purchase it is also wise to set-up regular deposits in a Contingency Fund. Yes, your new RV is under warranty but do not expect every item to be a no-cost repair. The length of time that each repair will be covered by the dealer/manufacturer will vary. If you travel for a few years trouble free, the FUND will have grown to make buying new tires or batteries or additional accessories much easier.