President’s Message
By Charlie Schrenkel, L140050
June 2010
I was sitting talking with a few FMCA members about the “old” days. You know, way back when I was little. I reminisced about how many times as a commercial pilot I had flown across this country, both in daylight and darkness. How I had gazed upon the beautiful landscape below; the many cloud formations casting all sorts of odd shadows on the countryside; the towns and cities full of life as I silently slid through the skies above them.
One night, as we were en route to Anchorage, Alaska, over British Columbia, Canada, I looked down and saw a tiny pinpoint of light! I knew from previous trips over this same route that there weren’t any houses in the area, or at least none that I could see. It was remote and populated by forests and rivers that probably, to my knowledge, had never seen a human being. During several succeeding trips over this same area in the daylight, I made a point to try and see whether there was some sign of life. I never did see any evidence.
So, what does this have to do with motorhoming? I was required to hang up my flying goggles at age 60. Jean and I had been RVing for quite some time, mostly local trips and short weekend getaways, but now we had the opportunity to take leisurely trips around this great continent. One was to Alaska via the Alcan Highway. I was now down where the grass meets the dirt in my rubber-tired house.
I had always wanted to just meander and take a long, relaxing motorhome journey with no schedule or time constraints. Now we were able to enjoy the breathtaking views as we traveled and marveled at the astounding beauty of British Columbia.
I never did get close to the area where I had seen that point of light one night from 37,000 feet, but I did get closer to a lifestyle that we will forever cherish. This lifestyle has opened many doors to friendships and wonder as the miles and the years fly by. As I have previously written, Jean and I have been full-timing for 15 years.
We are excited about the motorhome lifestyle and try to pass that excitement on to other RVers through personal contact and at every rally and convention we attend. We introduce others to FMCA and show them that our group of like-minded, adventuresome, friendly people can enhance their enjoyment of their motorhome.
On page 23 is a coupon for a $10 discount off our membership fee for new FMCA members. You can pass it on to any motorhome owner you happen to meet, whether he or she is an acquaintance or just someone you encounter in a campground.
Also, if you are a chapter member, you can assist your association and chapter through the “Dozen Does It” program. An explanation regarding this program is offered on page 33.
By the way, the fun really starts when you become associated with and belong to an FMCA chapter. There are so many chapters “” each with its own personality “” that there is sure to be one out there for you. And whether you are a chapter member or not, you can still look in the “Association Calendar” in the back of this and every other Family Motor Coaching magazine (and online at FMCA.com under “Chapters”), find a rally that might interest you, give them a call, and stop by and have some fun. Don’t be surprised if you find a whole new way to enjoy your motorhome.
Whatever you decide to do, keep searching for the source of that pinpoint of light out there, somewhere in your motorhome travels. You never know what you will find or who you will find it with.
Until next time, safe and healthy travels.
Seeking Magazine Panel Members
In an ongoing quest to improve Family Motor Coaching magazine and to ensure its responsiveness to the needs of motorhoming readers, we are seeking new members for the Magazine Panel. Members of the panel evaluate each issue of the magazine and share feedback with the magazine staff. The goal is to make the magazine attractive and fun to read and also to make sure that it serves you, the reader, by providing the type of information you need to make the motorhome lifestyle even more enjoyable.
Magazine Panel members evaluate each issue of the magazine; share ideas for potential articles; serve as a source of information about subject areas where they have expertise; and gather feedback from fellow members they meet in their travels. Magazine Panel participants also learn more about how FMC magazine operates and then pass that type of information along to other members.
If you are interested in applying for a spot on the Magazine Panel, please send an e-mail to magazine@fmca.com to request that a form be sent to you.