Most years, as winter approaches, we focus our travels toward the lowlands, with only short excursions into higher country. Here are 13 of our favorite national parks or monuments in the West and Southwest …
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Archives
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We spend a lot of time watching the sky. It helps us forecast weather conditions as we travel, exercises our imaginations with fanciful cloud formations, and provides a habitat for the soaring birds we like to observe.
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In many parts of the country, November takes a bad rap for motor coach travel, so let’s give it a warm reception by preparing hot, comforting dishes.
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Starling “Dad” Writes
Dear Editor:
I thoroughly enjoyed the column titled “Successful Starlings” in the October 2008 issue of Family Motor Coaching (“Window On Nature,” page 90). I particularly liked this article because I raised a starling from a hatchling. -
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Ideas and advice from full-timers and other motorhomers who have learned from their experiences.
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By Bill Hendrix, F761SNovember 2008 High-powered roof vents can remove stale air, food odors, and that stuffy feeling without running the air conditioner. Here’s a chart that compares the features…
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FMCA’s Executive Board is made up of four nationally elected officers — the national president, senior vice president, secretary, and treasurer — and the 10 national area vice presidents, who are elected by their respective areas. (The immediate past national president also serves as a non-voting member.)
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It is no simple task when selecting the equipment and service for satellite TV. The RV industry currently offers a very wide range of antennas for receiving satellite TV signals, with a baffling array of terminology that leads to more than a little confusion.
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Stories of pioneer life on the prairie were written at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home in Mansfield.
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Creativity is the mother’s milk upon which innovation feeds. It is the force that enables some to take a product to new levels. Such is the case with the all-new Country Coach 45-foot Veranda diesel pusher …Â
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GMC motorhome owners love it when someone stops them to ask about their coach. One of the first questions is usually, “What is it?†When told that it is a GMC, the second question is, “Didn’t they stop making them?â€
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This month I would like to offer information about the varied functions of the Chapter Services Department, which will wrap up the descriptions I’ve been sharing of each of the national office departments and how they serve FMCA members.
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I recently made a trip to Sparta, Illinois. The small town with a population of 4,500 might not be familiar to you, but it’s the home of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex — a beautiful facility that also was a great site for the 16th Annual National African American RV Camp Rally.
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Atwood Mobile Products has announced NHTSA recall 08E040000, which affects certain RV water heaters manufactured between May 20, 2008, and June 9, 2008, with model numbers 94180, 94186, 96110, 96117, and 96202. The potential number of water heaters involved is 1,731.
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Which Circuit?
Dear RV Doctor:
How can I test whether I have a drain on my batteries that I am not aware of once I disconnect my landline power and switch over to DC power? -
Toilet Leak Repair
If your RV toilet leaks when it’s flushed, chances are it can be fixed with an inexpensive “O” ring instead of a new $50 valve.
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Everyone appreciates having friends. Singles International is the group to join if you are single and enjoy having friends who share the RV lifestyle.
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Board Game
According to literature from Paradoxy Products, the New Wave Chess & Checkers set is a highly portable game board that can be played anywhere without the risk of the pieces blowing away.Â
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Outdoor Lovers Flock To Southeast Texas
Birders, anglers, campers, and nature-loving families come to the 1,600-acre Matagorda Bay Nature Preserve in southeast Texas to enjoy a wealth of wildlife and outdoor adventures in a pristine, off-the-beaten-track area featuring ocean and fresh water.
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What is risk management? Is it merely insurance? No, but insurance is certainly the element around which most of the Risk Management Committee’s work revolves.
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Kids aren’t the only ones fascinated by dinosaurs. Plenty of adults are amazed by these animals that once flourished. And in the United States, it’s easy to find a place where dinosaurs roamed.
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This non-native black bird has made itself right at home in North America.
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When there’s little time to prepare a full meal, try one of these quick and easy sandwich recipes.
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Motorhomers who use PMBs and commercial mail services appear to have only one option for receiving coupons: enlist the help of family and friends who have a physical residence to which the USPS delivers.
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Trailer Towing
I’m concerned about towing my horse trailer behind my 2002 Southwind. I’ve been advised to have an equalizer installed, but I’ve been to two RV dealers, and they don’t know what an equalizer is or what I’m talking about. Can you help?
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Minnesotans Give St. Paul Convention High Marks
Dear Editor:
My husband and I had never attended an FMCA convention or rally. When we learned that the Minnesota State Fairgrounds would be the site of FMCA’s 80th International Convention this past July, it was impossible to not attend … -
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In a time when others are worrying about fuel prices, full-timers are lucky. Simply by traveling a few miles to the next county or state, full-timers continue to live large. No matter how short the journey, new sight-seeing delights and campground friends await just over the next hill.
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On July 14, 2008, the Governing Board of FMCA approved the following Bylaws Amendments in St. Paul, Minnesota. Per Article XX, Paragraph (3) of the FMCA Bylaws: Proposals to amend these Bylaws shall be adopted by a 65% affirmative vote of all votes cast by the Governing Board.
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The “suckling elephant†emerged from the portable Cajun microwave as crispy-brown and juicy as though it had spent the day roasting in the kitchen of a five-star gourmet restaurant. Instead it was cooked in a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, parking lot.
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Back in July 1980, Family Motor Coach Association put down stakes at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul for its 17th Annual Summer Convention, the “Twin Cities Jamboree.” Twenty-eight years and 57 conventions later, FMCA returned to the same venue …
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This area west of Indianapolis, Indiana, celebrates its many covered bridges during an annual festival each October, but visitors can enjoy these historic structures year-round.
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Have you already double-checked your team’s game schedule for the upcoming season? Already found yourself planning which foods to grill, and contemplating where you’ll set up at the parking lot? If so, you’re probably a motorhomer who uses your coach for the fine purpose of tailgating.
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FMCA’s Youth Program once again was a huge success with all of the children and their parents who attended the “Navigate To The North Star State” convention.
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The Web is a marketplace of commerce and personal gain, but free stuff is still available. Unfortunately, some of the free material offered online is a scam, so you need to be informed …
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This month’s magazine contains a report about FMCA’s 80th International Convention, which took place July 14 through 17 in St. Paul, Minnesota (“Minnesota Memories”). Based on reports I received from the FMCA members I talked with at the convention, the event was an overwhelming success.
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Vacuum Lack
My vehicle is a 1981 Tioga powered by a Chevy 350 5.7-liter engine with a carburetor. The vacuum storage for the air vent controls seems to bleed out of the accumulator canister when on long grades, and especially at high altitudes.
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Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 08V292000, which affects certain 2008 and 2009 model year American Allegiance, American Eagle, American Heritage, American Tradition, Bounder, Bounder Diesel, Discovery …
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In Or Out?
Dear RV Doctor:
As I drive about I keep noticing RVs stored in driveways and yards with the slideouts open. Is this the preferred or correct way to store an RV for extended periods? -
Trash Protection
After emptying the wastebaskets in the galley and bathroom, I put a magazine or folded up newspaper in the bottoms of the new bags going into these cans. This prevents trash from …
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“The 50’s Are Great” was the theme of this year’s Great Lakes Area Spring Spree, also known as the G.L.A.S.S. Rally, held May 22 through 25 at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Soda shops, jukeboxes, poodle skirts, strawberry malts, tin roof sundaes, and rock ‘n roll …
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Storage Organizers
StowMate has added a new stylish “linen” look to its line of StiknStow soft storage organizers specifically designed for RV and household use.
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Go RVing Goes Interactive
Recognizing the changing communications climate, Go RVing has launched itself into the social media universe, engaging the consumer interactively with a new blog and games on GoRVing.com, plus content on popular Web sites including Facebook and Yahoo’s instant messaging.
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I would like to introduce to you the members who have served this past year with me on the Long-Range & Development Committee. They are Charles Powell, F191230, from the Great Lakes Area …
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Trails usually bring to mind hiking boots and a walking stick, but paved driving trails require a vehicle. The ones described here are a delightful variety. Some are long while others are quite short, but they all go to spectacular places, both natural and historical.
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One one of our favorite walks, the slightest breeze brings the sounds of a flowing mountain spring. But thirsty as we may be, we don’t bother looking for moving water. It’s actually the sound of quaking aspen leaves fluttering in the breeze.
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Travel is at its best in fall, when side roads take on shades of gold and crimson and farmers hang out shingles proclaiming “Fresh Produce” or “Apples by the Bushel.” In most cases a pleasant human encounter goes with the purchase of fruits and vegetables freshly picked …
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Several years ago, when we road-tested the brand-new Dynamax Grand Sport motorhome, we often noted admiring looks directed its way. One gentleman standing on a street corner stared at the coach, then at us, then gave us a grinning “thumbs up.â€
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Converter Box Coupon Program Update
Dear Editor:
My wife and I are full-time RVers. With the coming switch to digital TV, I applied for the coupons for the converters. The original request was denied, so I followed the appeal process and explained that …