A Fine “First” Convention In Pomona
Dear Editor:
Shortly after we took delivery of a Fleetwood Revolution motorhome from Earnhardt’s RV in Mesa, Arizona, my wife, Karen, and I headed to the California Dreamin’ convention in Pomona, California — our first FMCA convention. This is our fourth Fleetwood motorhome and our first diesel pusher. I should comment that our experience with Brad Wise at Earnhardt’s was wonderful.
I cannot begin to tell you how much I learned at the many convention seminars that I attended. If a seminar had anything to do with our new coach, I went to it and walked away with a world of information and respect for our new home on wheels.
My wife attended the Internet and cell phone seminars that were also very good. Her comments on the pet seminar were interesting, since we always travel with our beagle and a number of cats.
As Sunday morning rolled around, I decided to go to the full-timing seminar. It was just excellent. My favorite moment was when one gentleman advised, “Go full-timing, and do it now!” It’s not possible for us at this time, but perhaps it will be in the years to come.
Thank you for our experiences at FMCA’s California Dreamin’ convention. I can assure you, this will not be our last FMCA convention.
Ian Cook, F299901
Nipomo, California
A Wide-Angle View
Dear Editor:
Roger Miller’s article titled “Shopping For A Motorhome? Bring Your Camcorder” in the February 2003 issue (page 96) was outstanding. However, I would like to add one thought.
The article states, “Get as much of the motorhome in the picture as you can. This is not always easy. It’s often impossible to get far enough away from the vehicle to fit the entire coach in the frame.” A solution is to get a wide-angle lens. Most camcorders will accept wide-angle lens adapters, which screw onto the front of the lens. These adapters do not affect the sensitivity of the camera, and you can still zoom.
I have a wide-angle adapter for my current camcorder and have been amazed at how often I use it, such as when shooting buildings in the historical parts of towns; interiors; and even countrysides.
Again, it was a very good article.
Howard & Barbara Stucker, F314163
Crestline, California
Mr. Miller replies: A wide-angle adapter can be used with many cameras today. My suggestion to pan the motorhome is based on the fact that most coaches on dealers’ lots or at RV shows are parked so close together that it’s impossible to isolate just one unit in the shot.
More About West Texas
Dear Editor:
The article “Exploring The West Texas Mountains” (March 2003, page 144) mentioned Big Bend National Park, and it is every bit as beautiful and remote as stated. You can read all you want about the area, but no words can really describe the experience.
Big Bend National Park campgrounds do not cater to long-term snowbirds, however. Stays are limited to 28 days for 10 months of the year, and to 14 days from mid-February to April 14.
However, several campgrounds are located just outside the west gate of the park in the Terlingua area. One is Big Bend Motor Inn and RV Campground (800-848-2363), only 3 miles from the west entrance to Big Bend. This park does welcome snowbirds for the season and has full hookups, satellite TV, and water purified by reverse osmosis. We have been there for the season and will be there again next year. We have found it to be a great winter home, with warm, dry weather and planned activities.
We would like to share this area’s beauty, remoteness, and friendliness with fellow FMCA members and look forward to meeting you there in the future.
Dutch & Faye Eiff, F251068
Full-timers
Dear Editor:
The article by Ann White did not touch on an area that presents one of the most interesting sights in the entire country: the Marfa Lights.
Marfa, Texas, is only 26 miles west of Alpine. It has a friendly campground just west of town called Apache Pines; two restaurants; a very nice visitors center; and the Marfa Lights. These lights can be seen at night a few miles east of town. Ample parking is available at a viewing spot on both sides of U.S. 90 outside of town; the lights show up on the south side of the highway.
These mysterious lights appear shortly after dark just about every night of the year. No one knows what causes them. They move about, sometimes at extreme speed, and are in several colors. Some are, at times, fairly close to the highway and other lights are on the mountains a few miles away. The visitors center has a plethora of information, so be sure to stop by. The locals are very proud of their attraction.
Hal Fogt, F12647
Plantation, Florida
Editor’s note: We’ve learned that these lights are a source of controversy. Scientific research has concluded that the lights are actually headlights from vehicles, either reflected or directly viewed. Some people are convinced otherwise, however.
Angola Converts
Dear Editor:
I am writing regarding the new Angola Coach manufacturing complex in Angola, Indiana. Angola recently converted a 45-foot Prevost for us, and we were impressed with their workmanship and willingness to do exactly as we wished. All of the employees there are the finest craftsmen and do very good work. Our new bus turned out beautifully, and we highly recommend Angola Coach to anyone wishing to have a bus conversion built. You could not ask for anyone to be any more professional than these people. They do a fantastic job.
Thanks, Angola Coach, for being so nice and making such a beautiful coach for us.
Barnie & La Cretia Jones, F75130
Odessa, Texas
Chassis Maintenance Manuals Requested
Dear Editor:
My wife and I live approximately six months per year in our 1994 Fleetwood Southwind motorhome. The coach is our pride and joy, is in “like new” condition, and we are determined to maintain it ourselves as much as possible. As far as chassis maintenance information goes, we have depended on library literature. We would prefer our own material, and would appreciate it if a fellow FMCA member has a complete set of 1994 Chevrolet P30 chassis manuals that they no longer need. We would consider purchasing them. Thank you.
D. Paul & Karen Landry, F230354
20348 Mount Prospect Ave.
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
E-mail: plpolly35@wmconnect.com