Washington County, Texas, is renowned for its exciting heritage. But its prominent historical legacy is only part of the appeal that attracts families to “the birthplace of Texas.”
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FMCA’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, to be held March 14 through 17, 2011, in Perry, Georgia, will give FMCA members an opportunity to share laughter, music, and camaraderie while enjoying the exciting array of performers who have been scheduled throughout the event.
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A Polar Bear Plunge is when a group of seemingly normal people don swimsuits or costumes in the middle of winter and jump into an icy body of water. Then they raucously herd toward shore, where they quickly put on their clothes again while shivering in front of fire pits.
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Part 1 of this article (December 2010, page 40) discussed drainage lines, venting, and odor control in the waste system. Part 2 will examine holding tanks, additives, valves and terminations, tank monitors, the sewer hose, and more.
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The state’s claims to presidential fame are exposed between LaGrange to the north and Americus to its south. As you travel to or from Perry, Georgia, to visit with FMCA friends at the FMCA Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase this March, consider making stops at all of these locations.
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Family Motor Coaching magazine’s annual dinghy towing guide to flat-towable vehicles include cars, trucks, and SUVs that have been approved by their manufacturers for flat towing behind a motorhome without major modications.
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Packed with tons of fun and fellowship, these FMCA events are sure to convince you that friendship really is the tie that binds each of us to this association. From the moment you register for one of these great events until the time you retract your levelers and head back home or to another FMCA gathering, you’ll be glad you decided to join us!
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FMC magazine’s January 2011 Motorhome Regulations chart contains the following information for all 50 U.S. States and the Canadian provinces and territories: speed limit, length, height, width, combined length, license type required, and reciprocity granted (for license).
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What do you enjoy listening to as you’re traveling down the road in the motorhome?
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Although we often go hiking in search of birds and mammals, many times our best looks come through the picture window of our motorhome or just outside the windows of our home office.
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Stephen Fried’s new book, Appetite for America, is the story of Fred Harvey restaurants, once found at every major rail station in the Western United States. Mr. Fried’s book isn’t a cookbook, although it does have several recipes. It’s a treasure for travelers, historians, nostalgia buffs, and those who love the Old West.
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River Raisin National Battlefield Now A National Park
River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan, was officially announced as the 393rd park in the National Park System. The War of 1812 battlefield was set aside by Congress with legislation signed by President Obama on March 30, 2009.
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Pet Toy
The Petprojekt Bonbal from Otomik Products Inc. is a two-in-one toy said to provide hours of entertainment for your dog.
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“Return To Rally On The Red,†the 37th annual Six-State Area Rally, was held at the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport September 29 through October 3, 2010.
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Coffee Cup Organizers
We have a small collection of coffee cups we bought at some of our favorite destinations. We use 14 different cups; one for each of us every day of the week. When traveling, we slip them into women’s socks to protect them.
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Foul Battery Odors
Dear RV Doctor:
On a recent camping trip, our motorhome was connected to 30-amp shore power. During the night, our carbon monoxide (CO) alarm went off. Since there was no stove or furnace operating, I concluded the alarm must be defective. I did notice the coach battery compartment was warm to the touch. -
Powerless
My 1991 motorhome is built on a Ford chassis with the 460-cid engine. It will go about 20 miles and then lose power, and I have to keep my foot on the gas feed to keep it running. It’s like it is not getting enough gas.
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“Round-Up” Gratitude
Dear Editor:
ProLiteracy would like to thank all of the members of the Family Motor Coach Association who have donated to our organization by rounding up their membership dues. -
As I sit in my motorhome and reflect on recent events, I can’t help letting my mind drift back to the summer of 2009. Charlie Schrenkel had just been elected FMCA’s national president, and I had been elected national senior vice president. We were overjoyed at the honor of being selected to lead FMCA.
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Membership in the Family Motor Coach Association brings with it a wealth of benefits that are of value to the motorhome traveler. All FMCA members should take the time to read through this guide to ensure that they are taking advantage of everything their association has to offer.
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Since 1964 motorhome owners have turned the pages of Family Motor Coaching magazine for motorhoming information. Motorhome maintenance, motorhome reviews, motorhome destinations, motorhome news — it’s all covered in the…
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A collection of more than 100 motorhome reviews, motorhome updates, and other motorhome-related articles that have appeared in Family Motor Coaching magazine.
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Attracting birds to your backyard, your kitchen window, or even right next to your motorhome can give you one of the closest looks you’ll ever get of a wild creature.
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An array of tips, ideas, and reminders for those who embrace the full-time home-on-wheels lifestyle.
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Letterfly Mural Art Announces New Location
After 14 years as the resident artist at Lazydays RV in Seffner, Florida, and with more than 30 years of experience creating custom hand-painted art on motorhomes, towed vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers, Dave “Letterfly†Knoderer recently announced that he has moved his company to the new Letterfly ArtPark in Plant City, Florida.
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All-Natural Lip Balm
All Good Lips from Elemental Herbs Inc. is an all-natural lip balm that keeps lips healthy and moisturized with organic healing herbs and essential oils.
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My dad, George P. Snyder Sr., was the consummate traveler and always made certain his family was along for the ride. Dad passed away on September 21, 2010, at the age of 92.Â
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Water System Sanitization
As an RV enthusiast for 30 years, I’ve seen many questions about sanitizing the fresh water system and how to get the sanitizing solution into the water tank. Whether a gravity-fill inlet is available or not, I’ve found what I believe to be is the easiest way get the bleach into the tank, plus it also sanitizes the filling hose.
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In Hot Water
Dear RV Doctor:
I was told that it is best to drain your hot water tank after each excursion, so I replaced the anode with a petcock. I now drain the water out, but I am curious as to the soundness of this plumbing exchange. -
Companies with recalls detailed in this month’s Recall Corner are Atwood Mobile Products LLC, Dimplex North America Ltd., Monaco RV LLC, Norcold Inc., and Winnebago Industiries Inc.
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30-Amp Versus 50-Amp
Our 2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V came with 30-amp electrical service. However, other similar coaches have 50-amp service. Prolonged use of the heat pump/air conditioner burns the contacts on the shore power plug.
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Remembering George Snyder
Dear Editor:
We personally lost a true and good friend with the passing of George P. Snyder Sr., L1852, September 21, 2010, and so did FMCA. George was always ready to promote FMCA as he traveled around the United States, Canada, and Mexico with his family. -
I wrote this poem several years ago as I watched the first snow of the season fall unexpectedly before we had a chance to pack our motorhome and move to a warmer clime for the winter. I’m sure Canadian FMCA members can relate to that feeling. I felt I should share it with you in this last month of 2010.
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The common theme I hear from others who love RVing goes something like this: “We are traveling but feel like we are still home. We have our own bed and household belongings, and we feel comfortable.†I never really appreciated what they meant until 1998.
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Buying and sending postcards while traveling can be quite expensive. But with a little bit of effort and one inexpensive click, I’ve found that I can e-mail unique and very personal digital postcards. Best of all, the same click can send the card to as many people as I want.
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Born from a family-owned company in east Texas in the spring of 1984, she was a grand example of unequaled quality and attention to detail. This elegant vehicle — a Foretravel motorhome — stood tall and proud, gleaming in orange and white against the Texas sun, waiting to carry her new owners in style and comfort.
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“It’s such a mess, it might be easier to burn it than clean it up!†was the consensus of folks in Burlington, Colorado, when they took a look at their carousel back in 1937.
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‘Tis the season when Eastern snowbirds pile supplies into their motorhomes and head south on Interstate 75 to the Sunshine State. What follows is a sampling of several Florida attractions that may cause snowbirds to “land” for a while and explore.
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The Georgia town where FMCA’s 85th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase will take place has several new attractions that will impress even longtime visitors.
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Amid much fanfare, RVers, industry pundits, and first-time buyers perusing the offerings at consumer RV shows across the country have embraced the new Allegro Breeze, produced by Tiffin Motorhomes of Red Bay, Alabama.
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Gather two or three motorhome owners, engage them in a discussion of RV plumbing systems, and the discourse invariably will turn to one of the most displeasing, yet necessary, aspects of RVing: waste containment, evacuation, and sanitation.
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This enhanced program provides emergency medical evacuations and a variety of other assistance services for FMCA members traveling in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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If anyone ever lived up to his own motto in life, it was Jack London. His credo is engraved on a wall plaque in the main room of the House of Happy Walls at Jack London State Historic Park…
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Seashell-gatherers, swimmers, and those seeking the sun’s warming rays come to the Fort Myers area for its 50 miles of world-class white sand beaches. Anglers test their skill. Tourists who enjoy historical sites, museums, and sundry entertainment blended with nature’s gifts find this to be an ideal vacation spot in southwest Florida.
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Deviating from our finely honed travel plans — to great protest, I might add — we left Interstate 40 at exit 311 in eastern Arizona just to learn whether Petrified Forest National Park was worth seeing. Did this flat, featureless, high desert plateau really have anything to offer?
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If your chapter is losing members; was formed around a now-orphaned motorhome (one that is no longer being manufactured); or has restrictive requirements, don’t despair — consider promoting it!
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My wife, Laura, and I have owned a motorhome since 1998. We became FMCA members in 2005 and joined a local FMCA chapter two years later. I wish we would have joined both much sooner. The benefits of FMCA membership are too numerous to mention here.
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How did my family help me discover these educational treasures? For my 70th birthday, they gave me a chance to run 20 laps behind the wheel of a full-on NASCAR-type late-model stock car at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, a half-mile oval track in Southern California.
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Thor Industries has repositioned its motorized products by combining Damon Motor Coach and Four Winds International into a new division called Thor Motor Coach. Recently, I interviewed Bill Fenech, president of Thor Motor Coach, to get his view on the exciting new developments at this well-respected company.