February 2005

For trip-planning information, contact these tourism offices. The contact information was accurate as of November 2006.
UNITED STATES

Alabama Bureau Of Tourism & Travel
P.O.

Thousands of visitors will make their way to Florida during the months of December, January, and February to take part in a ritual dubbed “Tailgate Tourism” by VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official source for travel planning.
According to VISIT FLORIDA, tailgate tourists are those who visit a community for a sporting event and then travel beyond the stadium on their vacation. And this season thousands of pigskin partisans will flood into Florida to be part of six major football games that will be played in the Sunshine State.
The lineup of games includes five college bowls, including the Orange Bowl, where the University of Oklahoma and the University of Southern California will play for the national championship on January 4, 2005, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami.

Wind ‘N Go FlashlightThe Wind ‘N Go Flashlight from Max Burton by Athena is a rechargeable unit that never requires batteries, making it an ideal accessory to keep in a motorhome, towed vehicle, garage, or stationary home in case of power outages.
Crank the flashlight’s wind-up arm for one minute and the unit’s rechargeable lithium battery will be charged to 80 percent capacity, enough to generate at least 30 minutes of lighting power. The Wind ‘N Go Flashlight, which is equipped with three light-emitting diodes (LEDs), can be operated on either high (three LEDs) or low (one LED) illumination levels.

Our new motorhome has beautiful beveled-glass mirrors on the medicine cabinet doors in the bathroom. On the cabinet frame near the bottom of the mirror is an indentation in the wood that allows you to reach under the door and open it.

So you’re thinking about buying another motorhome? You’re obviously not alone. Motorhome sales have been very good for most manufacturers for several years now, and the companies continue to introduce exciting new products to please us.

FMCA’s next international convention will take place in a town known for its proximity to a number of great Southern attractions.
FMCA members will find an ample supply of Southern hospitality and charm in Perry, Georgia. From the unusual, quaint shops of the downtown district to the hustle and bustle of the state-of-the-art Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, FMCA members are sure to experience enjoyable moments during their visit.
Perry is promoted as the “Crossroads of Georgia” because of its advantageous location just off Interstate 75, approximately 25 miles south of Macon.

No matter where we travel, FMCA family motorhomes are instantly recognizable to members and nonmembers alike by our “goose eggs” — the white-on-black, oval-shaped plaques displayed prominently on our motor coaches.
Each pair of plaques bears a unique member number. That means more than 350,000 of them have been turned out since Family Motor Coach Association was founded in 1963.

Effective January 1, 2001, FMCA contracted with MEDEX Assistance Corporation to provide active family and life members with coverage under the MEDEX PLUS Program. This program helps traveling members to effectively manage the complexities and expenses of out-of-area medical and travel emergencies.

As any traveler will tell you, the need for good telephone communication is heightened when the road beckons. To help enhance enjoyment of life on the road and provide peace of mind to members, FMCA began offering an emergency telephone message service in 1982.

What to do about the mail is always a concern for the traveling family. Motorhomers who enjoy extended summer trips or winters in warmer climes and full-timers who travel wherever the winds may take them are especially aware that keeping up with the mail can be a source of frustration and worry.
FMCA’s mail forwarding service* was instituted as a member benefit so that families might enjoy their travels without having to worry about when and where they would receive their mail.
FMCA members who wish to sign up for this service are asked to follow the procedures listed below to ensure uninterrupted mail service once they depart.
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The noise of interstate highway traffic fills the air as you roll along in your motorhome on Interstate 75, which runs from Michigan to Florida. There’s no doubt you’re in the frenetic 21st century.

When I first heard about Recipes From The Road, which was described as a combination cookbook and travelogue, I was intrigued. My wife, Linda, and I enjoy cooking together and, not surprisingly, since we have been FMCA members since 1982, we also enjoy visiting new places.

We had no idea how many good uses there are for cornstarch until we began to do research for this column. One thing is certain: it won’t take us five years to use a box of it anymore.
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