March 2006

My friends Paula and Rosemarie are both professional crafters. They each have workshops set up in their garages with band saws, sanders, sewing machines, and enough paint supplies to rival a craft store.

A leader among luxury motor coach builders is based in what might be a surprising location to some: not a mainstream, high-tech venue, but a small town in northeastern Oklahoma. The company in question is Newell Coach Corporation of Miami, Oklahoma. Last summer I visited Newell headquarters to pick up one of the company’s new P2000i motorhomes for a test outing.

Along Florida’s Expressways guidebookDave Hunter, author of the popular Along Interstate-75 guidebook, which takes travelers from Michigan to the Georgia-Florida border, has published a new book specifically for those driving Florida’s highways. Along Florida’s Expressways ($23.95, Mile Oak Publishing) is intended to help anyone travel through the Sunshine State with ease, comfort, and safety.
Unlike a destination guide, this book features 77 full-color maps with detailed information about exits and services for all of Florida’s expressways (main and subsidiary routes), along with the author’s personal observations and suggestions, not to mention fascinating trivia.
Mr.

VIOLight Travel toothbrush sanitizerInformation from the Centers for Disease Control states, “Even after being rinsed visibly clean, toothbrushes can remain contaminated with potentially pathogenic organisms.” But the VIOLight Travel toothbrush sanitizer can help folks keep their toothbrushes bacteria-free when on the road.
VIOLight technology utilizes a special germicidal ultraviolet (UV) bulb — the same used in hospitals and dental offices — to eliminate germs and bacteria on toothbrushes. According to company literature, VIOLight’s UV bulb has been proven to eliminate 99.9 percent of germs it comes into contact with on a toothbrush.
Simply place the toothbrush in the pencil-case-size unit, close the lid, and the sanitizing begins.

Shelf liner under door handleSelf-stick shelf liner can be used to protect the wood cabinets in your motorhome, especially in areas where water often is splashed. I put a strip of clear liner along the edge of the cabinet door.

It’s a bright and breezy morning. You’re heading north on Interstate 15, leaving the Los Angeles basin behind and looking forward to spending the first night on the road in Las Vegas.

Small-town hospitality mixed with Old World charm; gourmet dining; superb wines and wine tasting; hiking trails through fields of wildflowers into the back country — that’s a good description of the treats in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Add to this an old Spanish mission, museums, a fishing lake, wildlife cruises, llama ranches, and an ostrich farm.

When Marathon Coach Inc. opened its doors in 1983 to design and build custom coach conversions, an uncharted journey began.

When many people plan a Florida vacation, their thoughts turn to the theme parks of Orlando, the beaches of Daytona, or the cultural heritage of Miami. Yet there’s a destination that combines all of these attractions and much more to create one of the Sunshine State’s best all-around vacation destinations: Tampa.
Located on central Florida’s Gulf Coast approximately 80 miles west of Orlando, Tampa has grown from a small Indian fishing village to the third most-populous city in Florida.
Ponce de Leon sailed into Tampa Bay in 1521, but for three-and-a-half centuries after that, the area remained largely unsettled.

In most cases it’s difficult at best to avoid dissension when talking about the modern American presidency. But in the case of President Ronald Reagan, most people can agree that he accomplished great things and truly earned his nickname, “The Great Communicator.”
The 40th president led the United States from January 1981 to January 1989.

Motorhomers who roll into Fairplex in Pomona, California, for FMCA’s 75th International Convention, March 20 through 23, 2006, may find themselves wondering how they’ll find time to see and do everything that’s been planned for this gathering. Besides the usual fellowship that takes place at such get-togethers, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about their motorhome and the RVing lifestyle through the many seminars presented; tour the newest motorhome models on display; peruse products offered by suppliers in the indoor display area; create a lovely craft; or take an in-depth tour of a Southern California landmark or area of interest.
Trying to squeeze so much into a handful of days is sure to wear out even the hardiest of convention-goers, so FMCA has scheduled an array of daytime and special entertainment to help people unwind and relax during their stay in Pomona.

Most of us know something about the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in the Sierra Nevada foothills on January 24, 1848, but we may not be aware that many of the immigrants who came to mine northern California’s rich ore also brought with them gold of their own in the form of wine grape rootstock. By the end of the 19th century, El Dorado, Calaveras, and Amador counties had more than 100 wineries, with more acreage devoted to the growing of grapes than anywhere else in California.
The mines continued to extract ore until they were shut down in 1942 by the War Production Board.

Absentee Cook
Put these recipes in the oven or refrigerator and forget them while you enjoy the campground lifestyle.

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Tipsy Mushrooms
Make these mushrooms up to two days ahead of time and bring them out of the fridge to add a classy touch to a raw veggie platter.
1/4-cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 whole garlic cloves
Freshly ground pepper
1/3-cup vodka or gin
1 teaspoon mixed dried herb(s) of your choice
8-ounce package small, bite-size mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
In a lidded container or a plastic bag large enough to hold the mushrooms, dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice. Add the garlic cloves, pepper, vodka, and herbs.

After FMCA’s Executive Board and committee meetings ended in Cincinnati this past November, Darlene and I traveled home to Illinois for Thanksgiving with our family. On November 28 we traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, as did FMCA’s senior vice president, Connie Pool, F140306, and her husband, Corbett; national secretary Ginger Painter, F23514, and her husband, Charlie; and national treasurer Jim Kern, F63208, and his wife, Jo Ann.

In the August 2005 Executive Director’s Commentary, I introduced you to the Privacy Matters Identity Theft Protection Plan that FMCA has decided to offer as a member benefit. As I indicated at that time, this new benefit will provide protection against identity theft and will assist members in restoration if they should ever become a victim.

The local telephone number that the editorial staff was given for VDC Electronics, maker of a battery and alternator tester featured in the December 2005 “RV Products” column (page 56), was incorrect.
The correct number is (631) 445-1064.

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Rations Can Be Fun
Dear Editor:
I am writing to say how much I appreciated your article in the December 2005 issue by John P. Brackin titled “Road Trip Rations” (page 126).

Q: I own a 1999 Monaco La Palma with the Ford Triton V-10 engine. For the last year or so the starter fails to engage right away when the ignition key is turned.

Dear RV Doctor:
I have an oldie, a 1973 Lifetime motorhome with a Dodge chassis. It looks as though the batteries are connected together with one 10-gauge wire from the alternator charging circuit going to some kind of box.

Nashville, Tennessee, home of the Grand Ole Opry, was the destination for the Tri-State Traveliers’ fall rally, October 13 through 16, 2005. Forty-three coaches made the trip on one of the most beautiful weekends, weather-wise, of the fall season.
Our home base was the Nashville KOA, which is close to many of the attractions in the area.

Mmmm. Fresh fish, perfectly prepared.

Edwin Way Teale, who lived from 1899 to 1980, couldn’t have imagined the impact his writing would have on the people who have read and reread his works. Of course, after writing 26 books and editing another five, he could safely assume that they weren’t just used for display on the coffee table.

Will it be a happy new year for motorhome owners? Well … that might depend on the outcome of several lingering proposals to change existing RV-related regulations.
As the year 2005 came to a close, government bodies were in the “reviewing public input” stage on issues that may affect where motorhomers park and the number of seat belts their vehicles contain.
Billings, Montana, overnight parking
During 2005, complaints about RVs parked overnight in store parking lots led city compliance officers to enforce an ordinance that limits overnight camping to licensed campgrounds.
The crackdown drew the ire of RV enthusiasts, who expressed their stance against the ordinance in e-mail campaigns and on Web site forums.
In September the mayor appointed an RV parking committee to research overnight RV parking practices in use around the country, and then make recommendations to City Council. Eight people serve on the committee, representing developers, RV users, campgrounds, retailers, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Councilwoman Nancy Boyer, who chairs the committee, told FMCA, “We definitely want to be tourist friendly and provide for RVers who need that overnight stay….

The Texas Mountain Trail (designated by the Texas Highway Department) leads you through West Texas. It’s the least populated area of the state, and boasts 90 mountain peaks that stretch a mile or more into the sky.

Time for a complete renovation to the interior layout of the motorhome you love? For many, the same old motorhome is as comfortable as an old house slipper. You wouldn’t change a thing.