Issue 23, OUR TRIP WEST BEGINS

Diary published weekly since 2001

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Hi All: Somehow, even after 22 years enjoying life on the move, when it is time to set off on a long trip. the adrenalin increases and excitement settles in. All week John and I have been tying up ends in preparation for our departure. In our house, John does all the trip planning and he has found some fascinating places to roost each night. We do dry camp at truck stops occasionally (Wal*Marts are not our favourite stopping spots) but staying in campgrounds is our main choice. I can then put up my Dish and if we have sewer connections, we can keep on top of the laundry. Now that we have a TV LNB on our Internet Dish it is no longer super important for our roof mount unit to be free of trees that may block the signal. Cool

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RV TRAVEL TO CANADA 2007 E-BOOK IS NOW ‘LIVE’

http://www.rvliving.net/traveltocanada-ebook.htm

John spent the week running all the ‘get-ready’ errands, so I could catch up with stuff on the computer. Finally after a frustrating week of ‘if it could go wrong it did’ plus dealing with one screw-up after another, even to the point of downloading Adobe trial software but my problems converting my Word file to a PDF continued so I finally asked Mark Polk of RVEduction101 for his help – he ended up converting it for me. Thanks Mark this ebook is finally current - enough of my woes, let’s move on. Cool

Note: ANYONE who has not been on the RV Education 101 site recently should definitely check it out http://rveducation101.com/cart/shopaff.asp?affid=12 . Over 80,000 RVers had purchased one or more of their comprehensive publications - their list continues to grow. Cool

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BONUS OFFER

I am offering a complimentary 2007 copy to anyone who has bought this ebook since October 2006. The offer will run until the 20 June. All I ask is that buyers send me an email with proof of purchase (email or invoice #) from any website. The 2007 issue includes the latest passport info, how to find sanidumps.com; new insurance benefits for FMCA and Good Sam plus an updated list of websites and phone numbers. Order your copy today. Cool

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SO GREAT TO TOUCH BASE WITH WEBSITE READERS

Last Wednesday, unexpected Fulltime visitors from the area around Barrie checked into our park for a few days. Over the years we have been in contact with Sue and Verne by numerous email but it was so great to finally meet face to face. Thanks so much for stopping by and exploring our fair city while you were here. Hope your tiny travelling companion enjoyed her time in the city as well. (Sorry we missed you Friday morning guys, thought you were leaving Saturday – we will mail your news article to you). Cool

We have heard from so many website visitors who call western Canada home – hopefully we will be able to visit with each of you. All of us RVers are only strangers till we meet. This week Pat and Dianna asked us to stop at their park near Lethbridge – it is doable so we will stop in and several friends from BC are hoping to touch base with us while we are in Kelowna. The RV Lifestyle overflows with so many wonderful friends (some new and some from a lifetime ago) we meet along the way. It is no wonder that most of us are addicted to it. Cool

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OUR TRIP

We were so thrilled about departing for the west that we did not spend much time searching for exciting activities this week - for the most part it was a quiet week. Tonight we are staying at the Slots/Casino in Sarnia. Big race night so the restaurant and Buffet are open - parking lot is full. From here we have a quick exit across the border. Cool

When we booked our reservations I was surprised that John found so many places we have never been to before. In most of them we should get in early enough to tour if the mood hits. Our next 7 days – 10th we will be in Utica, IL; The 11th it will be Avoca, IA; 12th is Mitchell, SD (near Sioux City); 13th-14th Black Hawk, SD (near Rapid City)); 15th Reed Point MT (near Billings) and then into Alberta for the rest of the trip. Cool

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Our summer is shaping up to be everything we could want it to be. Hope yours is doing the same. Even if it is only for a weekend, try to get out and enjoy. Summer, for those of us in the north who love the great outdoors, can be the best time of our lives. Travel safe everyone, stay away from those orange barrels and road gaiters. P&J Cool

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RV PROMOS/NEWS

RVEDUCATION 101.COM NEWSLETTER - This week I received a monthly newsletter from RV Education 101 and it is so jam packed with info, videos and articles that instead of recommending one part of it I am suggesting you read the entire publication http://rveducation101.com/newsletter/june-2007.htm?siteID=0. Mark and Dawn continue to add mega new items to their line-up of comprehensive publications. Many DVD’s plus Mark’s “The RV Book” are sold in Wal*Mart & Camping World.

Check out their informative website http://rveducation101.com/cart/shopaff.asp?affid=12 RV living is an affiliate, so if you access this site using this link and decide to buy a product we receive an affiliate fee.
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RV TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES IS AVAILABLE FOR DIALYSIS PATIENTS. Last January, a newly registered Canadian non-profit organization became a corporation so they could raise money to offer freedom for dialysis patients, Travelaire in Red Deer, Alberta donated a 20’ Westwind trailer (value of $25,000.00) – $35,000.00 of Dialysis equipment was added in the space of the tub and shower. Dialysis patients literally spend much of each day several times per week undergoing lengthy hospital treatments. This trailer offers an opportunity to get out and enjoy an RV adventure.

Since this special RV is located in Red Deer Alberta, it will mainly serve the northwest, but plans are underway to add more fully equipped RV’s to the fleet. A fund raising program is underway. Go here http://www.travelingdialysisrvassociation.com/ to participate/more details. Phone (403)-346-1706. Phone (403)-343-7458 – rental info.

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COAST TO COAST (C2C) & RESORTS PARK INTERNATIONAL (RPI) PLUS. If you would like info about these inexpensive membership camping options, send me an email. These are two of the most popular membership park systems that offer deep overnight discounts – there are others (the ‘Plus’ includes a complimentary membership to RPI’s 50% Discount Camping Club called ‘Enjoy America’)!

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. Our total cost was $514 including RPI and C2C annual rate. However we can walk away from this plan at any time for a small fee. SEND ME AN EMAIL FOR MORE DETAILS.

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MY INCREDABLE INTERNET SATELLITE DISH IS STILL MY LIFELINE. Now that it also includes the TV LNB it is even more of a joy to use. (But a bad storm did cut the signal last night). We no longer chase campgrounds offering WiFi or try to find a place to log onto dial-up locations or even the need to add a landline. If you do not have WiFi available you NEED this Dish. No matter where you live – USA or Canada; in a stationary house or on the move - it is worthwhile to call our supplier. If they cannot help you they will find someone that will. Don’t forget that their fantastic tech support has no time limit

‘3iCommunications’ has changed its name to ‘Tech Mobile Communications and Wireless’ http://techmcw.com (site is 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 of my Dish at www.rvliving.net/EarlyObserationsDirecWay.htm

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TIPS THIS WEEK is an excerpt from RV PACKING TIPS E-BOOK www.rvliving.net/PackingTipsEbookSalePage.htm

RVers ‘on the move’ constantly shop at a variety of grocery stores. IT PAYS TO APPLY AND USE THE FOOD STORE CARD – SOME FIT ON YOUR KEY CHAIN. During a steak sale in one store we saved $17.00 on a $29.00 order because of the store card.

The INTERNATIONAL ‘CALL FOR HELP’ in any country is to honk your horn three times in quick succession, take a short break and honk three more times followed by another break. Continue till help arrives. Turn on headlights and flashing lights. Even if others have never heard of this signal – most people will come to investigate.

Norm and Linda from www.seeya-downtheroad.com submitted the tip that ERS SERVICES HAVE A LIST OF DOCTORS,[/b] hospitals, tire shops, etc on hand to share with their members who ask for it. RVers who need to locate these specialty services should call their ERS and ask for the names and phone numbers in your area.

[b]OBTAINING MEDS AWAY FROM HOME. Every RVer should carry sufficient drugs for their time away. If Americans visiting Canada need Rx updates, A CANADIAN DOCTOR CAN WRITE AN RX to be filled in a Canadian Pharmacy – usually at a big savings. It helps to carry a copy of the original Rx and/or pill container from your doctor.

Our friends Trudy and Rod submitted this tip. They discovered that while they were in the Maritimes for a summer visit, ZEHRS PHARMACY IN CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO FORWARDED HIS PRESCRIPTION to the Atlantic Super Store so that pharmacy could fill it. This was more convenient than having a script shipped from Cambridge. It is worthwhile to ask the local pharmacy for similar service.
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Good friend Patti sent me this tip about KEEPING SHOWER DOORS CLEAN – She put cream rinse on the scrubby thing and did a once over the shower doors. To my amazement the doors were clear. a quick rinse with the shower head and all the residue, like magic was gone. Sure could have saved frustration and cost of cleaning supplies.