Byline Correction
The December 2006 issue included an article by freelance writer Denise Seith titled “Bradenton Blends Old Florida And New” (page 76). Unfortunately, Ms. Seith’s byline was accidentally omitted.
FMC regrets this error.
Nordic Walkers Tout Benefits
Dear Editor:
Thanks to you and writer Judee Stalmack, F235840, for the article “Walking Smarter, Not Harder” (November 2006, page 72). We thoroughly enjoyed it!
We found our Leki Nordic walking poles (Instructor model, carbon, $150) this past August in Coronado, California. We love them and agree with Judee about the benefits of Nordic walking. Bill has increased his stride by 2 inches and we can see the muscle tone benefits in our arms.
With regard to shoes, we walk in Z-coil boots/shoes (www.zcoil.com). They are not particularly lightweight, but they offer great support and actually have a spring steel-supported heel that really reduces the shock to the heel as well as the whole leg joint system. We recommend them to everyone who asks about them.
Bill & Niki Hohmann, F221258
Tucson, Arizona
A Note Of Thanks
Dear Editor:
My late husband, George, F103097, always enjoyed his association with FMCA. During his long illness, he appreciated the calls and e-mails he received from the many friends we made through the years. I cannot thank you all enough for the pleasure FMCA gave George and for the support I have received over these past weeks since his passing.
FMCA is a wonderful organization.
Ann Rogers and family
Anaheim Hills, California
Bradenton Resort Tip
Dear Editor:
We thoroughly enjoyed your article about Bradenton, Florida (“Bradenton Blends Old Florida And New,” page 76) in the December issue. We like the peaceful atmosphere of Bradenton and of nearby Anna Maria Island so much that we vacation there several times a year. We may leave Cincinnati and move there.
You listed five local campgrounds in the article and we would like to tell readers about another one we like. It is Holiday Cove RV Resort at 11900 Cortez Road W. (State Route 684) in Cortez, within walking distance of the bridge taking Cortez Road over the Sarasota Bay to Anna Maria Island and the white sand beaches. (Phone 800-346-9224 or 941-792-1111; www.holidaycoverv.com.)
Holiday Cove has more than 100 full-hookup spaces of various sizes, some accepting motorhomes in the 40-foot range and some having docks on a canal to Sarasota Bay. From there, boaters are in open water to the Gulf of Mexico. Managers Robert and Judy, or Preston and Sandy, will become your helpful friends. The park and pool (heated at times) are clean and well-maintained.
It is easy to find. To get there, take Interstate 75 to exit 217, and go west on State Route 70, which in Bradenton is 53rd Avenue. Continue west several miles to 75th Street. Make a mandatory turn to the right (north) for about a half-mile to Cortez Road. At a traffic light, turn left (west) on Cortez for 1 mile and look for Holiday Cove RV Resort on the right. Tell them we sent you.
In Bradenton, avenues are east-west and streets are north-south. I hope that knowing this helps you “” we didn’t know it at first.
John & Eileen Oezer, F318181
Cincinnati, Ohio
Alabama Repair Facility Is Worth The Drive
Dear Editor:
I have read warranty repair horror stories in RV magazines, so I want to share a very positive experience. I recently purchased a low-mileage 1994 Winnebago Vectra diesel pusher to replace our gasoline motorhome, partly in response to the increase in fuel prices that occurred this year. A known issue with the motorhome was an inoperative cruise control. When I took it in to RV Repair and Sales in Hueytown, Alabama (a Spartan chassis dealer near Birmingham), I learned that parts were no longer available for the original factory unit. A Cruise King unit could be installed to replace it, though, so I authorized the work.
Everything worked fine for about two months and 1,300 miles. On our way from home to Atlanta, the cruise control unit suddenly stopped working. I contacted Glenn Langston at RV Repair, and he told me to bring the coach in when we got home.
After our trip, I returned the coach to RV Repair, and two weeks later, they informed me that the modulator was bad on the replacement unit, and Cruise King was sending a new one. A week later, I was told that the coach was ready to be picked up.
I felt sure that Cruise King would not charge for the replacement modulator, but I was very concerned about whether RV Repair would have me pay for the labor for the troubleshooting and replacement. I had mentally prepared a complete package of arguments to use if there was any labor charge. Much to my surprise and delight, there was none, and they had expended 18.3 hours on the job. I call that standing behind your work.
I will continue to use RV Repair and Sales for service work on my coach, even though it is a 70-mile one-way trip from my home to their facility, and I heartily recommend them to anyone who needs service when in or near the Birmingham, Alabama, area.
Frank King, F294035
Clanton, Alabama
Dream RVs Of Today
Dear Editor:
While it is interesting to read about the gadgets and conveniences possible in the future (“Dream RVs Of Tomorrow,” December 2006, page 92), manufacturers are still not providing the three things I want in a motorhome:
1. I want everything to work.
2. I want everything to work at the same time.
3. I want everything to work at the same time for a long time.
Michael LeButt, F297697
Cheboygan, Michigan
Volunteer Opportunities In Washington, Oregon, And Idaho
Dear Editor:
State parks in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho have created volunteer opportunities that match your abilities, whether you would like to host, do interpretive presentations, or work with children in the Junior Ranger programs. What a wonderful way to see new areas of our great country while sharing your talents to provide enrichment for others. In return for your volunteer time, the parks provide you with a free campsite, and most also offer full hookups. Whether you enjoy the mountains, the beach, the forest, or the desert, there is a place for you in the Pacific Northwest.
Volunteering at these state parks is a rewarding experience and an opportunity to share your talents with the public and the ranger family that manages the resources. The goal of the state parks is to provide recreational experiences and create an environment of education and enrichment for this generation and the next.
If you are interested in receiving information about volunteer opportunities in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho, please send me your name, address, and phone number and I will see that information is sent to you.
Tab Tabacek, F155438
Northwest State Parks Ambassador
14431 S.E. May Valley Road
Renton, WA 98059-3724
E-mail: tabtabacek@aol.com