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My wife, Claire, and I are full-timers and travel throughout North America happily following the seasons, and our bliss, as hikers, bicyclists, runners, kayakers, and bird-watchers. Our traditional RV is a type C motorhome, perfect for getting in and out of the hidden campgrounds closed to larger units.

What does America mean to you? Even if your level of patriotism is higher than most folks’, it will be elevated even further by the time you’ve seen the Flags Over America program.
This pageant presents the flags that have flown over the United States from Colonial days to the present. A narrator explains each flag’s history as stirring melodies play in the background, and important historic moments are associated with particular flags.

When selecting cooling equipment for your new motorhome, or if you’re replacing an existing roof unit, several choices exist. You can opt for a conventional air conditioner, a conventional air conditioner with an optional heat strip, or a heat pump air conditioner.

The Yukon Territory is still as wild as it sounds. Look at this region on a map, and you’ll find precious few roads.

The 328-mile Glenn Highway through southeast Alaska yields gold. Well, not nuggets, perhaps, but gold in the form of mountains and fertile valleys; glaciers and lakes and streams; farms and museums; and sled dogs, musk ox, and bears.
The Glenn Highway begins at the town of Tok (pronounced “toke”) and is also known as Alaska Route 1.

It was a Wednesday afternoon when the phone rang. The voice on the other end of the line said, “The coach will be ready for you on Friday.

It’s a new kid on the block! Quite a few global positioning system (GPS) navigation devices are available today and of particular interest to RVers. Now a combination of a new navigation program and a palm-sized computer is making its debut.

We were looking for a way to protect our crystal stemware and other glasses while going down the road. We found that a Prest-O-Fit straight hose coupler, available at Camping World and other RV stores, worked great.

The Komo Multipurpose Chest is compatible with motorhomes and with most other vehicles as well, because it has a tilting feature that allows access to the rear of the vehicle. Constructed of polyethylene, it is resistant to cold temperatures and ultraviolet rays.

On January 25, 2002, Home & Park Motorhomes, C3790, presented rock-and-roll legend Ronnie Hawkins the keys to a Roadtrek 190-Popular motorhome.
Jeff Hanemaayer, chairman of Home & Park Motorhomes, said, “Ronnie Hawkins is a Canadian rock-and-roll legend. He also has been a Roadtrek owner for the last four years.

Each year in North America, approximately 300 new custom coach conversions are built using Prevost, MCI, Neoplan, Dina, Setra, and other bus shells. These coach conversions typically sell for $600,000 to more than $1 million each.

I began building boats in 1954. In 1961, I started my own boat-building business in San Diego, California.   We moved to Alameda, California, and in 1965 my wife, Ellie, opened a boat upholstery shop while I …

Although most of this month’s column contains information for new and soon-to-be full-timers, veteran full-timers might take a look at it as well to avoid any potholes in the road ahead.
The transition into full-timing is not the same for everyone, because we’re all different. Much depends on whether you are fully retired with enough income for all your needs, partially retired and in need of part-time work, or have no retirement income and must work to support your lifestyle.

By and large, humans dress for the occasion — a swimsuit at the beach, boots for hiking, a nice dress or suit for weddings. But the picture is far more complicated and interesting in nature.

The time we spend reading and organizing our past collection of tips for travelers takes our minds through and around our many years of travel. We began with a Volkswagen camper, moved up to a mini-motorhome, and then spent an entire year converting a highway bus into a motor coach.

With a well-stocked spice shelf and some bottled flavorings, you can put a homemade touch on easy dishes such as these.

Grenadian Honeymoon Soup
This is my adaptation of a soup that goes together quickly, using canned foods. The original version is from the spice island of Grenada in the Caribbean.
1 large onion, finely diced
1 pat butter
16-ounce can chicken broth
16-ounce can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
Small can crabmeat, drained and picked over
Salt, pepper
Dash of hot sauce
1/2-teaspoon nutmeg or to taste
1/2-cup evaporated milk
Dry sherry
Sauté the onion in the butter in a roomy soup pot.

The FMCA Education Committee came into full committee status this past summer when Jeff Jefcoat, F118344, was elected national president of the association. Prior to that, the Education Subcommittee had been functioning for 2½ years.
Now that the group has full committee status, we have had the good fortune of having two more members assigned to join us.

The Southeast Area (SEA) held its 21st annual area rally from February 6 through 9, 2002, at the Hernando County Airport in Brooksville, Florida. By the time the last motorhome rolled onto the grounds, 2,095 family member coaches were parked, with members ready to enjoy the planned festivities.
The Hawaiian theme of the rally was a huge success.

Q: I have a 1989 Coachmen on a Chevrolet chassis with a 454 engine. It overheated on me.

Dear Editor:
We are from Ontario, Canada, and drove out to Oregon last summer to be volunteer hosts for the Adaptive Riding Institute’s program at Silver Falls State Park. We are horse nuts and enjoy working with people.
We parked our motorhome in the horse park free of charge.

In September 1998, Family Motor Coach Association started an effort to develop a document that would solidify the goals and objectives of the association as well as strategies that would contribute to their accomplishment. Over the following three years, a committee made up of family members of the association met periodically and developed FMCA’s Strategic Plan.

Where would FMCA be today without volunteers? Fortunately we do not have to answer that question, because FMCA has long been blessed with many wonderful volunteers who share their time and talents in various ways throughout the association. I want to thank each volunteer and hope you will join me.

Earlier this year I read an article by Jay Hesse, owner and president of Blue Ox, C2903, in an RV trade magazine. The article touched on the topics of quality control and customer care.

The American Indians called the place Stjukshon — “springs at the foot of the black hill.” The word sounded like “Tucson,” and thus became the name of the Arizona city that grew there.
Tucson resides in a high desert valley at an elevation of 2,584 feet above sea level. Yet it once was the floor of an ancient inland sea.

It doesn’t take much prodding to get Bill Connor, F231330, to talk about Angel Bus, the nonprofit organization that provides non-emergency ground transportation to children in need of medical care. In fact, judging by his enthusiasm, you might think that when he founded Angel Bus a little more than two years ago, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream.

Is it possible for an avid hiker and a non-hiker to travel successfully in an RV? I have learned the answer to that question, but it has not been easy.
My husband, Ival, is lean and mean. He is physically fit and loves to hike and take part in other types of physical activity.

This is the 11th in a series of articles written by motorhome manufacturers that address the subject of quality control. Recently, FMCA commercial members involved in the production of type A, type B, and type C motorhomes were invited to describe the quality-control strategies they have in place at their manufacturing facilities.

On many motorhomes, the TV antenna is mounted on the roof near the front of the vehicle. This can cause the leading “wing” of the antenna to be bent upward from its lowered position when the coach is being driven in certain wind conditions.
On a recent trip, after experiencing some rather brisk side and frontal winds, we discovered the leading wing of our TV antenna bent straight up.

We have been RVing full-time for seven years. We also vacationed in RVs during the seven years prior to becoming full-timers.

Travelers can experience the thrill of a big game expedition right in the heart of northern Nevada. Pull off Interstate 80 and stop in the small town of Elko, which is home to the Northeastern Nevada Museum and the threshold to Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
The Northeastern Nevada Museum is situated in Elko’s City Park, which offers ample free parking.

Niagara Falls has a longstanding reputation for attracting honeymooners and daredevils. It still does today, but the majority of people who visit this amazing natural attraction are there simply to enjoy the view.
Long before you actually see the falls of the Niagara River — the Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls and American Falls — as you drive north from Buffalo, New York, along Interstate 190, you can tell that something is up.

Walking in the woods, hiking, and backpacking may initially sound like the same activities, but the three actually have little in common. But each can be enjoyed by motorhomers, depending on one’s level of interest in exploring the great outdoors.
When someone says they’re going to take a walk to get close to nature, they might spend an hour trekking through a local park or nature center, or in the surrounding natural area if they happen to live in a rural setting.

Chrysler’s neat little PT Cruiser is a hit wherever it’s driven. In fact, here’s something to consider if you’re thinking about buying one: do so only if you really enjoy talking with strangers.

We’ve found every nook and cranny in our motorhome, so now we’ve switched from space hunting to space saving. Recently we took the cereal bags out of their boxes.

The Bicycle Protector Bag from Rome Bike Bags is designed to protect bicycles from salt air, snow, rain, dust, and dirt that can cause corrosion and rust. While being protected in the bag, the bicycle also is out of view of potential thieves.

The sixth edition of William Hutchings’ book Radio on the Road: the Traveler’s Companion ($16.95, Arrowhead Publishing) is now available to help motorhomers and other road travelers find their favorite radio programming no matter where they are.
The new edition includes listings — separated by state and province — for more than 15,000 AM and FM radio stations in the United States and Canada. Each listing gives the station’s primary broadcast format (news, talk, sports, etc.), frequency, and call letters.

Whether you munch while traveling or pull over for a quick bite at a roadside rest stop, these snacks fill the bill for easy preparation and delicious eating.

 

These snacks can be made in the coach or whipped up ahead of time at home. Keep them in tightly sealed containers so they stay crisp.
8-ounce package shredded Cheddar cheese
2 sticks butter or regular margarine (not soft or liquid)
2 cups flour
1/2-teaspoon salt
1/2-teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 cups crispy rice cereal
Let the cheese and butter come to room temperature and mix them together in a bowl.

In this month’s “Window On Nature” column, we explore the wonderful world of the trillium plant. So, in this column, we’re going to reveal some great spots around the United States and Canada to find these beautiful flowers.

While the airline and hotel industries have suffered economically since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the RV world has done quite well. In recent months, recreation vehicles have been featured in the print and electronic media not only in travel or lifestyle pieces, but also in business stories.

The trillium is one of nature’s most amazing wildflowers. Think of it: how can something so beautiful appear to have been calculated by a mathematician? But consider its name: trillium — three of everything.

By the time you read this, FMCA’s 27th annual winter international convention in Perry, Georgia, will be history. I hope all who attended had a very enjoyable time.

When Howard and Jerre Ferrin, A436, invited every motor coach owner they could locate in the Denver, Colorado, area to their Golden, Colorado, home for a get-together on July 23, 1966, little did they realize what they were starting.
For several months the group gathered for weekend meetings and outings and thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together. In October of that year, while at Chief Hosa Campground, 30 miles west of Denver, the participants decided to join a new organization called the Family Motor Coach Association.
At that time FMCA would send organizers to advise and guide prospective clubs interested in joining the association.

Q: I own a 1995 Safari Trek on a Chevrolet P-30 chassis. In the November 2001 issue, the “Technical Inquiries” column included instructions for adding a manual switch to the radiator fan control on a P-30 chassis (page 24).

Dear Editor:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Wildlife, is offering RV sites with full hookups in exchange for volunteer work at its Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area. The Bull Creek area is located west of Melbourne and south of Orlando.

Webster’s dictionary defines “extravaganza” as a “spectacular show or event.” As a search began for verbiage that would aptly describe the magnitude of Family Motor Coach Association’s semiannual conventions, the word “extravaganza” seemed to fit.
If you look at this month’s Event Calendar, which begins on page 162, you’ll note that no FMCA international conventions are listed. Where did the conventions go? Well, in November 2001, during the Family Motor Coaching Inc.

FMCA’s Executive Committee carries out policies set forth by the Governing Board and helps to formulate those policies so that the executive director and department directors then can lead staff members in carrying them out.
How does the Executive Committee function? Who are the members of the committee? How do they get along? Are there cliques? Are there private agendas? Do they forget they must act in the best interests of our members? Is the FMCA national president a strong person? Can he make the whole Executive Committee pull together as a team? Do they know the difference between having a “right” to do something and doing the “right” thing?
From my perspective as a national vice president, partway through my second term, let’s see if I can answer some of these questions and help you to understand how your Executive Committee works.
Before I do that, it is important that you realize that much of the Executive Committee’s work is done by various committees. These committees include two or three members of the Executive Committee who serve along with people drawn from the general membership.

In early January we made our way across the country in our motorhome to attend the Western Area Rally in Indio, California. Somewhere along the way, our motorhome developed a leak that caused the air bag pressure to drop dramatically when the engine was turned off.

I’m a little nostalgic when it comes to motor vehicles. I miss wind wings and solid bumpers strong enough to hit a steel pole at 5 mph and sustain no damage, other than to the driver’s pride.

Branson, Missouri, is one fine entertainment town. First-timers who have heard about the shows there but have never attended one are in for a big surprise.

This is the 10th in a series of articles written by motorhome manufacturers that address the subject of quality control. Recently, FMCA commercial members involved in the production of type A, type B, and type C motorhomes were invited to describe the quality-control strategies they have in place at their manufacturing facilities.