Diary published weekly since 2001
Read Full issue of this week's Diary on line HERE
TIPS THIS WEEK
George sent an email warning that HOTEL DOOR CARDS include mega personal info on them and that ‘bad guys’ can steal them for identity theft after you leave the hotel. I checked this out on Snopes.com and I’m happy to say that they don’t contain much more than door access code. Even if they are not immediately erased, there is little chance that personal info could be shared. Read the full story Here…
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Bill requested that when SENDING YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS this year – Take one card and send it to… A Recovering American Soldier; c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center; 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW; Washington, D.C. 20307-5001. Just imagine how happy you will make that person?
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Diane will soon be a Fulltimer and she found a way to store SMALL AMOUNTS OF SPICES she doesn’t use often in old photo canisters. REALLY small amounts of the ones she hardly ever uses but ‘might’, she adds to small plastic containers from ‘paint-by-number’ kits, with the flip-up lid. In the past she kept harvested flower seeds in these containers. After washing them, they’re great lightweight storage for very small amounts of spices. This way she has a wide selection of most spices from her kitchen. "Leftovers" she gave to her daughter. Diane hung the larger containers with Velcro to the back of a cabinet above the other items. The small ones are stored in a baking pan on top of other items – this tip is from my books. She then added small labels or marker indications on the tops for easy identification.
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Bill shared that everyone should check date on Items in their pantry – OUTDATED PANCAKE MIX that has been open for a long time can grow molds – it may even taste different. Plus it can even be fatal to some people. If you have any allergies, it can cause anaphylactic shock – Read Full story Here:
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SPECIAL… A huge WINTER CAMPING DEAL in the Rio Grande Valley – Newly Renovated Kenwood RV Resort – La Feria, Rio Grande Valley, Texas is a Sun RV Resort…
Stay for one month for only $149.00 OR Stay for two months for only $249.00!
*** Subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other offer, 2 person occupancy, offer expires 03/31/2009 (end Mar 09) Ph (888) 271-1733 Go HERE
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PROMOS THIS WEEK
Perry from CHEAPVACATIONSFORUM.COM has set up a new forum. In an effort to build members and posters he invites everyone to take a look and to join his Travel Forum to discuss how to TAKE VACATIONS ON A BUDGET. He is in need of new members and posters. Perry wants to know if he can add anything to make his site more useful. Go HERE
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This weeks RV TRAVEL NEWSLETTER is again overloaded – a few highlights include… .
***Excellent blog post/video on obtaining Dentistry in Mexico – Part 1 of a 5 part series…
***What Power needs do boondockers require???
***How does Switching to synthetic oil affect your warrantee???
***Story highlights that RV financing is still available for RVers with good credit
***Gary Bunzer’s post highlights that ‘RV electrical wiring and home wiring not the same’.
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RV GOOGLE ALERTS TODAY relayed that Forest River "America's Largest Producer of Towable RVs and Cargo Trailers." have bought Coachman RV’s – so the Coachman brands will now survive and the majority of plant workers will stay on the job.
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Angie asks all ANIMAL LOVERS to pass this on. The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site DAILY - It is the only way they can meet their quota of getting free food to be donated every day to abused and neglected animals. Just go to their site and click on the purple box 'FUND FOOD FOR ANIMALS' for FREE. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned and neglected animals in exchange for advertising.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
JOYS OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY - Nov 15 - Issue 45
TIPS AND PROMOS
Diary published weekly since 2001
Read this Diary on line HERE
TIPS THIS WEEK – Not enough space to post all the Tips and Promos I received this week – will share more in a future issue.
Dianne bought my Packing Tips e-book and she loved several of what she read. Here are a three of a variety of more tips she sent me. This lady is very organized to say the least. Thanks so much for sharing.
***They added all of THEIR MUSIC ON AN IPOD – to eliminate carrying excess CD's or tapes. They added an IPOD SPEAKER PORT to play the music on when parked, and an attachment to the motorhome radio to play the Ipod songs when traveling.
***They purchased a ‘KINDLES’ FROM AMAZON.COM and no longer need to buy hard copy books. Details HERE. They even subscribed to Time magazine on the Kindle. In fact, after Dianne received my e-book, she moved it to her Kindle and read it from there (there's a way to do that via an e-mail address that Amazon gives Kindle buyers). The only hard copy books she’s taking with them are a few Fulltimer books she has purchased (including my 21st Century book) and a few travel-related books, bird books, etc. They can even subscribe to certain Sunday newspapers via the Kindle, if we decide to.
She has spent months scanning family photos and transferring other digital photos of past family camping trips, etc., onto a DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME. This way, they will have a continual slide show of all of favorite photos. The old family photos she then distributed to children, cousins, and others, only storing a fraction of them. They are enjoying the digital photo frame while still in our ‘sticks + bricks’ house, and feel it will be a treasure even more so in the motorhome. These photos had been packed away for years, so to be able to enjoy them anew is a plus. As they take new photos during their travels, they can simply plug in the digital camera smart card to add to the slide show. More tips from Dianne in future issues.
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Donna shared this tip about ESSENTIAL OILS from a lecture on this subject – apparently the soles of our feet can absorb oils.
VICKS VAPO-RUB is popular for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But this alternate use works 100% of the time, although those who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop NIGHTTIME COUGHING in a child or adult – put Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. Apparently cough medicines in kids frequently does more harm than good - due to their chemical make-up. It was a surprise finding- plus it seems to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition it has a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.
The wife of a reporter tried it to combat a deep constant and persistent cough – it worked 100% of the time. Her intense and frequent coughing stopped in a few minutes – she slept cough-free for hours every night that she used it. She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her
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Bill feels this is the most amazing website he’s seen on the computer in the past 23-years – he describes it as Awesome. It continually and automatically plays songs while he’s on his computer. Click HERE, and then TYPE ANY SONG TITLE EVER PLAYED. Following the end of the song, it will keep playing songs of the same era forever.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PROMOS THIS WEEK
RV RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR OCTOBER plus many previous months as well. Recalls cover numerous areas of many name brand RV’s. Be certain to check if your unit is on these latest listings HERE Tens of thousands of RVs are affected in a variety of ways.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An informative short video about RUBBER ROOF MAINTENANCE AND HOW WINTER STORAGE affects it. Click HERE This tech addresses the plus and minuses of covering your RV during the winter as well as slide-out positioning. Worth a read!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark and Dawn Polk of RVEducation101.com – the ‘How-to site For Everything RVing’ – publish a very informative monthly Newsletter. In this issue they offer a COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF 16-YOUTUBE.COM VIDEOS – free to watch HERE – covering a barrage of RV Tips and Hints. If you subscribe you will automatically be sent each time a new video is posted.
RV Education 101 Quick Tips story – HERE
To take a look at their fantastic selection of DVD, Videos, Books, E-books and more, go HERE RV Living is an affiliate and if you go through this link and end up buying something – our site earns a small fee. However there is MEGA BASIC No-Cost RV INFO also available.
To read the full version of their recent comprehensive newsletter go HERE
Diary published weekly since 2001
Read this Diary on line HERE
TIPS THIS WEEK – Not enough space to post all the Tips and Promos I received this week – will share more in a future issue.
Dianne bought my Packing Tips e-book and she loved several of what she read. Here are a three of a variety of more tips she sent me. This lady is very organized to say the least. Thanks so much for sharing.
***They added all of THEIR MUSIC ON AN IPOD – to eliminate carrying excess CD's or tapes. They added an IPOD SPEAKER PORT to play the music on when parked, and an attachment to the motorhome radio to play the Ipod songs when traveling.
***They purchased a ‘KINDLES’ FROM AMAZON.COM and no longer need to buy hard copy books. Details HERE. They even subscribed to Time magazine on the Kindle. In fact, after Dianne received my e-book, she moved it to her Kindle and read it from there (there's a way to do that via an e-mail address that Amazon gives Kindle buyers). The only hard copy books she’s taking with them are a few Fulltimer books she has purchased (including my 21st Century book) and a few travel-related books, bird books, etc. They can even subscribe to certain Sunday newspapers via the Kindle, if we decide to.
She has spent months scanning family photos and transferring other digital photos of past family camping trips, etc., onto a DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME. This way, they will have a continual slide show of all of favorite photos. The old family photos she then distributed to children, cousins, and others, only storing a fraction of them. They are enjoying the digital photo frame while still in our ‘sticks + bricks’ house, and feel it will be a treasure even more so in the motorhome. These photos had been packed away for years, so to be able to enjoy them anew is a plus. As they take new photos during their travels, they can simply plug in the digital camera smart card to add to the slide show. More tips from Dianne in future issues.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Donna shared this tip about ESSENTIAL OILS from a lecture on this subject – apparently the soles of our feet can absorb oils.
VICKS VAPO-RUB is popular for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But this alternate use works 100% of the time, although those who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop NIGHTTIME COUGHING in a child or adult – put Vicks Vapo rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime, then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. Apparently cough medicines in kids frequently does more harm than good - due to their chemical make-up. It was a surprise finding- plus it seems to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, in addition it has a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.
The wife of a reporter tried it to combat a deep constant and persistent cough – it worked 100% of the time. Her intense and frequent coughing stopped in a few minutes – she slept cough-free for hours every night that she used it. She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bill feels this is the most amazing website he’s seen on the computer in the past 23-years – he describes it as Awesome. It continually and automatically plays songs while he’s on his computer. Click HERE, and then TYPE ANY SONG TITLE EVER PLAYED. Following the end of the song, it will keep playing songs of the same era forever.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PROMOS THIS WEEK
RV RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR OCTOBER plus many previous months as well. Recalls cover numerous areas of many name brand RV’s. Be certain to check if your unit is on these latest listings HERE Tens of thousands of RVs are affected in a variety of ways.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An informative short video about RUBBER ROOF MAINTENANCE AND HOW WINTER STORAGE affects it. Click HERE This tech addresses the plus and minuses of covering your RV during the winter as well as slide-out positioning. Worth a read!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark and Dawn Polk of RVEducation101.com – the ‘How-to site For Everything RVing’ – publish a very informative monthly Newsletter. In this issue they offer a COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION OF 16-YOUTUBE.COM VIDEOS – free to watch HERE – covering a barrage of RV Tips and Hints. If you subscribe you will automatically be sent each time a new video is posted.
RV Education 101 Quick Tips story – HERE
To take a look at their fantastic selection of DVD, Videos, Books, E-books and more, go HERE RV Living is an affiliate and if you go through this link and end up buying something – our site earns a small fee. However there is MEGA BASIC No-Cost RV INFO also available.
To read the full version of their recent comprehensive newsletter go HERE
Friday, November 14, 2008
NOVEMBER IS A PERFECT MONTH in South Texas - Issue 44
Post from 08 Nov 2008
Diary published weekly since 2001
Read the full version of this Diary on line at HERE
TIPS THIS WEEK
THE VETERAN ON OUR TEN-DOLLAR BILL - In honour of Canada's Nov 11th – shared by Don
***Look at the back right-hand side of a Canadian $10 bill, to see an old veteran standing at attention near the Ottawa war memorial. Robert Metcalfe died recently at the age of 90.
***The fact he lived to that age is rather remarkable, given what happened in the World War II. Born in England, he was one of the 400,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force sent to the mainland. They found themselves facing the new German warfare technique - the Blitzkrieg. ***He was treating a wounded comrade when he was hit in the legs by shrapnel. En route to hospital, his ambulance came under fire from a German tank, which then miraculously ceased fire. ***Evacuated from Dunkirk on HMS Grenade, two of the sister ships with them were sunk. When he recovered, he was sent to allied campaigns in North Africa and Italy. En route, his ship was chased by the German Battleship Bismarck.
***In North Africa he served under General Montgomery against the Desert Fox, Rommel. He was sent into the Italian campaign, where he met his future wife, a lieutenant and physiotherapist in a Canadian hospital. They were married in the morning by the mayor of the Italian town, and again in the afternoon by a British padre.
***After the war they settled in Chatham, England, where he went into politics and became the warden (chairman) of the county and on his retirement he and his wife moved to Ottawa. At the age of 80 he wrote a book about his experiences.
***One day out of the blue he received a call from a government official asking him to go downtown for a photo op. He wasn't told what the photo was for or why they chose him. 'He had no idea he would be on the bill,' his daughter said.
***And now you know the story of the old veteran on the $10 bill.
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Pat and Dennis from Hylo, Alberta shared these tips.
*** They took a 4-inch led back-up light from a large truck and mounted it on the crank-up TV antenna to use as a yard light. By rotating the antenna it directs the light to the picnic table or wherever they need it.
*** They also mounted an old car horn in the 5th wheel hitch. It has a push button switch inside near the door. Pat used it to call Dennis off the lake when dinner was ready. At night the loud horn moves bears or other prowlers away from our camp.
*** He bought rare earth magnets in ‘Lee Valley’ that he was able to connect to the bathroom door and to the stairs where the opened door contacted. On the stairs he hid the magnet into the rug with a wood screw. Their door now stays put even if the trailer is not perfectly level. These magnets are quite small and very strong with many uses.
*** They use their trailer as a home office and re-supply depot while selling their artwork to gift shops and trade shows. During winter they create their art and most of the summer they roam the country selling it. They stretch a short 1-2 day delivery out for a week or longer and enjoy an extended RV trip in the process.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VIRUS EMAIL – these are checked out on Snopes.com.
*** Postcard Virus – no matter whom sends it to you do not click a link. These are not new just making the rounds again. A postcard image will open that will burn you entire hard drive.
*** Greeting Cards from a friend is also on the move one more time. To pick-up a legitimate card go to the website listed through your browser NOT by clicking a link – no matter who it says it is from. Then enter the card number as requested in the email.
***The UPS Delivery Failure (sometimes FedEx too) is again on the move. This email also misspells the word ‘packet’ and requests you print the attached invoice copy. DO NOT DO THIS. Opening the email to reach the attachment will launch the virus
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bill suggested that everyone should replace a CO Monitor every 3-years no matter what the instructions say. Just to be on the safe side.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PROMOS THIS WEEK
George shared this video – ‘All About Tires’ – it explains why the tread peals. This happened to an Internet friend of ours; he was just lucky that he did not have a major accident. A short Ad precedes the video HERE. Definitely worth watching!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In this week’s newsletter on RVTravel.com, editor Chuck Woodbury shared a link to the many RV Travel Youtube.com videos. Click here for comprehensive listing - High speed Internet is an asset –
Diary published weekly since 2001
Read the full version of this Diary on line at HERE
TIPS THIS WEEK
THE VETERAN ON OUR TEN-DOLLAR BILL - In honour of Canada's Nov 11th – shared by Don
***Look at the back right-hand side of a Canadian $10 bill, to see an old veteran standing at attention near the Ottawa war memorial. Robert Metcalfe died recently at the age of 90.
***The fact he lived to that age is rather remarkable, given what happened in the World War II. Born in England, he was one of the 400,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force sent to the mainland. They found themselves facing the new German warfare technique - the Blitzkrieg. ***He was treating a wounded comrade when he was hit in the legs by shrapnel. En route to hospital, his ambulance came under fire from a German tank, which then miraculously ceased fire. ***Evacuated from Dunkirk on HMS Grenade, two of the sister ships with them were sunk. When he recovered, he was sent to allied campaigns in North Africa and Italy. En route, his ship was chased by the German Battleship Bismarck.
***In North Africa he served under General Montgomery against the Desert Fox, Rommel. He was sent into the Italian campaign, where he met his future wife, a lieutenant and physiotherapist in a Canadian hospital. They were married in the morning by the mayor of the Italian town, and again in the afternoon by a British padre.
***After the war they settled in Chatham, England, where he went into politics and became the warden (chairman) of the county and on his retirement he and his wife moved to Ottawa. At the age of 80 he wrote a book about his experiences.
***One day out of the blue he received a call from a government official asking him to go downtown for a photo op. He wasn't told what the photo was for or why they chose him. 'He had no idea he would be on the bill,' his daughter said.
***And now you know the story of the old veteran on the $10 bill.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pat and Dennis from Hylo, Alberta shared these tips.
*** They took a 4-inch led back-up light from a large truck and mounted it on the crank-up TV antenna to use as a yard light. By rotating the antenna it directs the light to the picnic table or wherever they need it.
*** They also mounted an old car horn in the 5th wheel hitch. It has a push button switch inside near the door. Pat used it to call Dennis off the lake when dinner was ready. At night the loud horn moves bears or other prowlers away from our camp.
*** He bought rare earth magnets in ‘Lee Valley’ that he was able to connect to the bathroom door and to the stairs where the opened door contacted. On the stairs he hid the magnet into the rug with a wood screw. Their door now stays put even if the trailer is not perfectly level. These magnets are quite small and very strong with many uses.
*** They use their trailer as a home office and re-supply depot while selling their artwork to gift shops and trade shows. During winter they create their art and most of the summer they roam the country selling it. They stretch a short 1-2 day delivery out for a week or longer and enjoy an extended RV trip in the process.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VIRUS EMAIL – these are checked out on Snopes.com.
*** Postcard Virus – no matter whom sends it to you do not click a link. These are not new just making the rounds again. A postcard image will open that will burn you entire hard drive.
*** Greeting Cards from a friend is also on the move one more time. To pick-up a legitimate card go to the website listed through your browser NOT by clicking a link – no matter who it says it is from. Then enter the card number as requested in the email.
***The UPS Delivery Failure (sometimes FedEx too) is again on the move. This email also misspells the word ‘packet’ and requests you print the attached invoice copy. DO NOT DO THIS. Opening the email to reach the attachment will launch the virus
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bill suggested that everyone should replace a CO Monitor every 3-years no matter what the instructions say. Just to be on the safe side.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PROMOS THIS WEEK
George shared this video – ‘All About Tires’ – it explains why the tread peals. This happened to an Internet friend of ours; he was just lucky that he did not have a major accident. A short Ad precedes the video HERE. Definitely worth watching!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In this week’s newsletter on RVTravel.com, editor Chuck Woodbury shared a link to the many RV Travel Youtube.com videos. Click here for comprehensive listing - High speed Internet is an asset –
EXPECT DELAYS - iSSUE 43
But Hope They Don’t Happen - Post from 01 Nov 2008
Diary published weekly since 2001
Read this Diary on line HERE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TIPS THIS WEEK are of a personal nature
MORE RV LIFE LESSONS - It seems the longer we are on the road the more life lessons that surface. I think we must be well over 16,500 by now. I am sharing three more from this trip.
#1 On Saturday we decided to stop at a Wal*Mart to add to the larder. When we went to pull in they had barriers restricting height at 12’.6”. to control the 18-wheelers. We think???? we are less than that but even though I preach to everyone to post their height and width on their dash for easy reference – we do not have it posted on ours. We felt because we do not drive the motorhome on ‘back roads’ we really had no need for the info – WRONG!!!! Everyone should have the height and width posted on their dash – us too.
#2 While in London it was cold and blowing viciously. We meet a lot of RVers who know us through the website, or magazine articles, or Diary, or my seminars. Many knock on our door to say Hi! We sometimes go outside to talk to them – at times we also invite these RV ‘strangers’ into our coach. At the Fly J in London during the snowstorm, a man knocked on our door with the request he had an “RV QUESTION FOR THE MAN HE SAW OUTSIDE?” We thought he had come from one of the other RV’s at the Flying J. Mainly due to the weather we invited him in where it was warm. It didn’t take long to realize this gentleman was not an RVer. We are not sure what he was after but his appearance was not threatening – however we both realized we could have been in trouble? His RV Q was kind of empty, but we shared a few stories about the times he spent in the Maritimes when John was there in the Navy and then he left. He said he was in the area to visit clients for an investment company he worked for, but that too is suspect. The final phase of this drama was when we returned from dinner there was a gift of ‘two instant cameras’ in our door with a beautiful note relaying one was for the ‘sunsets’ and one was for the ‘sunrises’ we see on our journey. He was sharing them as a thank you for our hospitality.
Why I am relaying this? From the time we have began RVing we have heard about the danger of putting your names on your RV’s and opening the doors to strangers, especially at gas/fuel stops or when you are boondocking. In 24 years this is the first time our outgoing welcoming demeanor could have gotten us into trouble. If the climate had not been so bad, John possibly would have gone out to talk. Thankfully in our case, this episode did not end up in disaster – instead it made for an interesting break in our day – NEXT TIME WE WILL RAISE OUR GUARD JUST A LITTLE. I suggest all of you do the same. Become a bit cautious and travel ‘Street Smart” – everyone at your door may not be a super friendly harmless RVer who just wants to talk.
#3 We made one other slip while dealing with our maintenance problems in London. We had connected and disconnected the car several times. Guess I became distracted because on the last hook-up I FORGOT to remove one fuse. After 2.5 days driving, our car-battery is ‘dead’. I obviously neglected to do a double check. Many RVers follow a written check list and a retired engineer told me one day, when you do not physically ‘touch’ the item you are checking that it is easy to not see your error. Soooooo again I stress. No matter what system you use ALWAYS double check what you have done. You would think I would learn to eventually avoid all these life lessons. If they can happen to us they can happen to you. DOUBLE CHECK – DOUBLE CHECK - DOUBLE CHECK!!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PROMOS THIS WEEK are limited due to space…
The PASSPORT AMERICA 50% DISCOUNT CAMPING CLUB newsletter contained a link to their current updated directory. If you join one of the three such Camping Clubs featured on my www.rvliving.net/home.htm page and you stay at parks offering club discounts for a minimum of 4-nights, you then begin to break even. Any future member parks you stay at, your camping savings begin. Click HERE to see their locations. Go HERE to sign up to join Passport Am.
To stretch our camping costs John and I also use RECREATION USA $10.00 PER NIGHT Camping Club and HAPPY CAMPER 15% Discount Camping Pk. Using these links to join credits RV Living with an affiliate bonus. Thanks for your support
Diary published weekly since 2001
Read this Diary on line HERE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TIPS THIS WEEK are of a personal nature
MORE RV LIFE LESSONS - It seems the longer we are on the road the more life lessons that surface. I think we must be well over 16,500 by now. I am sharing three more from this trip.
#1 On Saturday we decided to stop at a Wal*Mart to add to the larder. When we went to pull in they had barriers restricting height at 12’.6”. to control the 18-wheelers. We think???? we are less than that but even though I preach to everyone to post their height and width on their dash for easy reference – we do not have it posted on ours. We felt because we do not drive the motorhome on ‘back roads’ we really had no need for the info – WRONG!!!! Everyone should have the height and width posted on their dash – us too.
#2 While in London it was cold and blowing viciously. We meet a lot of RVers who know us through the website, or magazine articles, or Diary, or my seminars. Many knock on our door to say Hi! We sometimes go outside to talk to them – at times we also invite these RV ‘strangers’ into our coach. At the Fly J in London during the snowstorm, a man knocked on our door with the request he had an “RV QUESTION FOR THE MAN HE SAW OUTSIDE?” We thought he had come from one of the other RV’s at the Flying J. Mainly due to the weather we invited him in where it was warm. It didn’t take long to realize this gentleman was not an RVer. We are not sure what he was after but his appearance was not threatening – however we both realized we could have been in trouble? His RV Q was kind of empty, but we shared a few stories about the times he spent in the Maritimes when John was there in the Navy and then he left. He said he was in the area to visit clients for an investment company he worked for, but that too is suspect. The final phase of this drama was when we returned from dinner there was a gift of ‘two instant cameras’ in our door with a beautiful note relaying one was for the ‘sunsets’ and one was for the ‘sunrises’ we see on our journey. He was sharing them as a thank you for our hospitality.
Why I am relaying this? From the time we have began RVing we have heard about the danger of putting your names on your RV’s and opening the doors to strangers, especially at gas/fuel stops or when you are boondocking. In 24 years this is the first time our outgoing welcoming demeanor could have gotten us into trouble. If the climate had not been so bad, John possibly would have gone out to talk. Thankfully in our case, this episode did not end up in disaster – instead it made for an interesting break in our day – NEXT TIME WE WILL RAISE OUR GUARD JUST A LITTLE. I suggest all of you do the same. Become a bit cautious and travel ‘Street Smart” – everyone at your door may not be a super friendly harmless RVer who just wants to talk.
#3 We made one other slip while dealing with our maintenance problems in London. We had connected and disconnected the car several times. Guess I became distracted because on the last hook-up I FORGOT to remove one fuse. After 2.5 days driving, our car-battery is ‘dead’. I obviously neglected to do a double check. Many RVers follow a written check list and a retired engineer told me one day, when you do not physically ‘touch’ the item you are checking that it is easy to not see your error. Soooooo again I stress. No matter what system you use ALWAYS double check what you have done. You would think I would learn to eventually avoid all these life lessons. If they can happen to us they can happen to you. DOUBLE CHECK – DOUBLE CHECK - DOUBLE CHECK!!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
PROMOS THIS WEEK are limited due to space…
The PASSPORT AMERICA 50% DISCOUNT CAMPING CLUB newsletter contained a link to their current updated directory. If you join one of the three such Camping Clubs featured on my www.rvliving.net/home.htm page and you stay at parks offering club discounts for a minimum of 4-nights, you then begin to break even. Any future member parks you stay at, your camping savings begin. Click HERE to see their locations. Go HERE to sign up to join Passport Am.
To stretch our camping costs John and I also use RECREATION USA $10.00 PER NIGHT Camping Club and HAPPY CAMPER 15% Discount Camping Pk. Using these links to join credits RV Living with an affiliate bonus. Thanks for your support
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