April 2007

The Leprechaun, a sprightly type C motorhome manufactured by Coachmen RV for three decades, continues to chase the pot o' gold. This venerable model has been given a fresh look and a new floor plan by its builders in Middlebury, Indiana.

The second year of the “What Will You Discover? Go RVing” ad campaign, which combines TV, print, and Internet advertising with several new media outlets, began with a bang on February 14 with its debut on “American Idol,” TV’s highest-rated program.
The Go RVing spots are scheduled to continue on the hit FOX program, which airs at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, March 7 and 20.

Wind ‘N Go Portable Lantern/RadioThe Wind ‘N Go Portable Lantern/Radio from Athena Brands Inc. provides light, radio reception, and much more.
The lantern includes nine white LEDs that operate on high or low and six red LEDs that can be used as an emergency beacon.

Experienced travelers know that it’s often the nooks and crannies that prove to be the most interesting on the American scene. One such fascinating — and educational — region is just off Interstate 85, about 30 minutes west of Columbus, Georgia.

Simply put, there are things in life that give us pleasure, and one is the desert in springtime. With the winter rains ending and the sun each day climbing higher and higher into the northern skies, those awed by the drama and majesty of landscapes and the color of nature as it awakens are lured to Arizona’s Sonoran Desert.

Admittedly, you can find plenty of scenic locations, breathtaking overlooks, deep valleys, and exciting waterfalls in the Southeastern United States, but when you have seen Tallulah Gorge, you will agree there is nothing like it.
The gorge, located in northeast Georgia near the South Carolina state line, impresses visitors with its 1,000-foot-high vertical rock walls, which were carved by the Tallulah River. The canyon itself is approximately 2 miles long.
The Park
There are several important stops to make in the park itself.

Glen R. Key, L26355, who recently turned 90, memorized the poem “A Psalm of Life” when he was in the sixth grade. In many ways, his personal and professional life have embodied these words. "I was born with the curiosity and ambition to try anything,” he said, “and I had the utmost confidence in my abilities.”

It’s easy for motorhomers to “eat well,” especially if they frequent restaurants while traveling, but “eating healthy” may be another story. However, with a little planning, preparing nutritious meals in the coach galley doesn’t have to be a complex undertaking.

FMCA’s international conventions are a great reason to pack up the coach and get moving. You cannot find a better place anywhere to shop for motorhomes and related merchandise.

We’ve made mention in past issues of the magazine that FMCA isn’t experiencing the membership growth it once was. However, I am happy to say that the membership is still being supported in the same manner as in the past.

The “Motorhome Regulations” chart in the January 2007 issue of FMC contained incorrect information regarding driver’s license requirements in the state of New York. Motorhomers in that state must obtain a Class D license with a personal use vehicle endorsement, or “Recreational Vehicle” or “R” endorsement, if their vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 26,000 pounds or is longer than 40 feet.

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Phone Number On AD&D Certificate
An incorrect phone number was printed on the back page of the “Certificate of Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Coverage” that appeared on pages 147 and 148 in the February 2007 issue.

Fuelish Question
Q: In the October 2006 “Tech Talk” column, your response in the “Diesel Fuel For 2007” (page 20) letter answered some questions I had about diesel fuel. However, I have a question that was not answered.

Dear RV Doctor:
We just purchased an RV with an Onan Marquis generator. We went to change the oil for the first time, and after warming up the generator, we could not get the oil to drain any faster than a drop at a time.

Each December, members of the Carolina Ramblers chapter meet for a Christmas party and to share our good fortune with others. This year 43 chapter members attended our outing, which was held December 2, 2006, at the Yancey Village Restaurant in Yanceyville, North Carolina.

Our chapter began in June 1996 in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the Seawall Festival Rally, which was hosted by FMCA’s Colonial, Cardinal, and Capitol chapters. Several rally attendees, most of whom had never been in a chapter, decided to form a new club during that rally.

Whether you travel occasionally or live in a recreation vehicle full-time, the weather is your constant companion, and it dictates many of your activities. It could be said that non-travelers have a slight advantage in this regard, since the weather forecasts they receive focus on their specific locale.

Those of us who grew up reading Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind may be saddened to learn that the beloved plantation “Tara,” like Ashley Wilkes and Scarlett O’Hara, was a product of Mitchell’s imagination. Luckily, other historic plantations do exist, and some invite the public to tour the house and/or grounds.

Full-timing is certainly a wonderful lifestyle, but it doesn’t relieve you from paying attention to the real-life situations and responsibilities you had before you took to the road. Here are a few things to keep your eye on as the year progresses.
The fine print.