Hey Ranger! A Cat on a Leash.

There’s an old saying that “seeing is believing,” but the same certainly isn’t true of “hearing.” The following story from Pat Balengee of Catheys Valley, California confirms that’s the case, especially when the tale includes a cat on a leash in a very unlikely location. Read more  Read More →

Picasa Slideshow for your Blog

Are you one of the hundreds of RVers who keep a blog? I am. I love that I can post photos and stories for all my friends and family to know where we are and what we’re doing. I post both pictures and stories of our travels. Sometimes, there’s just too many pictures! That’s where a slideshow comes in handy. Instead of posting 25 pictures and making my reader scroll down and down and down, Picasa Web Albums lets me insert a slide show like the one above. If you have Picasa Web Albums, you can copy a few lines of code for a slideshow of any one album. Those lines of code can then be pasted into most any blog or other website. If you don’t have Picasa Web Albums, there are ’show me how’ tutorial videos on my website at www.GeeksOnTour.com. To see exactly how I made the slideshow above, play the video below. Or, here is a higher-quality version of the video. Chris Guld www.GeeksOnTour.com  Read More →

US Marshall’s Office seeking RV community’s help

UPDATED ON 7/02/08 U.S. Marshals Announce Surrender of Convicted Hedge Fund Fugitive Samuel Israel For more information go to http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/news/chron/2008/070208.htm. ————————— The FBI and US Marshall’s office has asked for help from the RV community to track down a fugitive. He is thought to be traveling in a 2007 Coach Freelander. If you have any information please contact the authorities as listed below: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —————————- CONTACT: Southern District of New York Deputy U.S. Marshal William Dundon William.dundon@usdoj.gov June 19, 2008 U.S. MARSHALS ARE LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE BELIEVED TO BE DRIVEN BY FUGITIVE SAMUEL ISRAEL, III. ISRAEL IS WANTED FOR FAILING TO SURRENDER TO SERVE A 20 YEAR SENTENCE. 2007 COACH FREELANDER RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) NY LICENSE PLATE: EEN-5973 COLOR: WHITE VIN: 1GBJG31U451240922 SAM ISRAEL HAS BEEN KNOWN TO USE THE ALIASES SAM RYAN AND DAVID S, CLAPP. THIS VEHICLE HAS A HYDRAULIC LIFT ON THE REAR WHICH MAY BE CARRYING A BLUE 2005 YAMAHA SCOOTER. THERE MAY BE BODY DAMAGE ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS LAST SEEN ON JUNE 6, 2008 IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY. ISRAEL MAY BE AT RV PARKS, CAMP GROUNDS, OR HIGHWAY REST AREAS. SUBJECT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS. INDIVIDUALS WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS CASE SHOULD CONTACT THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE AT 1-800-336-0102. WANTED... Read more

RV Today Archive – Quick Tips – Jack Platform

Take advantage of these tips to make your RV life easier. In this segment, learn how to keep track of the WD40 spray can nozzle tube, so it is handy when you need it. Also, see how to build a stair step platform for a manual jack with simple wood blocks and everyday tools. If you sometimes find the flexible water hose uncomfortable to hold while you are filling the water tank, follow this suggestion and add a waterwand (with the irrigation end cut off) to the flexible water hose – it will be like if you were pumping gas! Finally, if you would like to place a convenient outdoor water faucet, you just need to buy a few fixtures and follow the advice below. Watch this quick tips-video for the full scoop. Watch other quick tips, how-to and destination videos on RV Today Archives. More episodes will be added soon.  Read More →

Campground Advice – Part 2 – Tips from Bernice

As a continuation from Part 1, you will find here a few more tips on how to select and take full advantage of the campground, as well as little tricks for special circumstances. If you have any comments, please post them, they are very welcome. Use a directory, such as the Trailer Life Directory for Campgrounds, RV Parks & Services to locate campgrounds. Directories let you know campsite sizes as well as activities and facilities. They also give clear directions to campgrounds. With over 16,000 public and private campgrounds in the United States, RVers have lots of choices. Once you choose a campground, you still have some decisions to make. Some campgrounds allow campers to choose their own campsites. In addition, you’ll probably be asked whether you want full hookups or just water and electricity. Some campgrounds offer cable television hookup. Keep in mind that all these amenities will affect the price you pay. Many campgrounds near highways offer recreation rooms, swimming, hiking, perhaps a lake, and sometimes planned weekend activities. Resorts that cater to long-term residents, on the other hand, offer guests a busy calendar of daily programs-exercise, painting, music, and other activities. Often a full-time leader plans social events. Keep all your campground membership cards together in the glove compartment so they’re handy when you register at a campground. Also, you... Read more

VIDEO: Camping on the Beach!

One of the most delightful aspects of RV ownership and our Long Long Honeymoon has been discovering the variety of environments in which we can camp. When we first started shopping for our travel trailer, Kristy and I were motivated by the prospect of college football tailgating. In the Deep South, tailgating has been raised to a high art form; the well-equipped RV is its ultimate creative expression. Little did we realize that so many purposes other than tailgating would emerge. Ironically, although we’ve done an outrageous amount of camping, we have yet to take our Airstream to a football game! But after more than a year of ownership, we’ve taken our RV just about everywhere else. We’ve camped in friends’ driveways and in Wal-Mart parking lots. We’ve camped in national, state, and city parks. We’ve camped in public and private campgrounds. We’ve camped in the mountains, we’ve camped alongside majestic canyons, and yes, as today’s video demonstrates – we’ve camped on the beach. Airstream RV Blog #62 – Camping on the Beach from Sean Michael on Vimeo. Read more  Read More →

How to Check for a Blown Fuse

It’s all relative! In several posts we have talked about measuring voltage with reference to a fixed point, or relative to a fixed point. This is an essential concept to understand if you are going to use a voltmeter to measure any kind of voltage. I used the analogy of a distance from home. While we have compared voltage in the past with pressure, in this case we compare it to distance from a fixed point. Both comparisons work, but in this case it is easier to understand the distance comparison. Let’s look at a practical example of this to better understand why we do it. A very common component in an electrical system is a fuse. Fuses work to protect electrical circuits by “blowing” if they experience an overcurrent situation, meaning more amps flow through the fuse than the fuse is rated for. When this happens, the fuse “opens” and current can no longer flow because of the open circuit. The fuse now has infinite resistance. Our job is to use our multimeter to find the blown fuse. In order to do this the easiest check is with a voltmeter. I have reasons for saying this and we will talk more about this later, for now, just accept this concept too. In order to check for a blown fuse, you should pick a spot that is your “anchor” or starting point. Typically in an RV electrical system, and when checking for a blown fuse in the 12 volt DC system, the anchor point is “ground“. Ground in an RV is usually the frame... Read more

Feed Your Brain?

By Lynn Difley Since the days of Hippocrates folks have been looking for ways to improve their health through foods. While the popularity of this notion comes and goes with the times, the basic premise of paying attention to food intake with a mind to optimal value for health remains valid. Most of our current studies have established the power of a healthy diet to improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risks of cancer; diet also has a profound effect on the health of your gray matter. Giving your brain the right kinds of foods can boost its endurance levels, thought processes, acuity and cognizance, as well as all over mental function. Isn’t it handy that experts tell us that what is good for the heart is also good for the head? If you follow the heart-health recommendations you help preserve cognitive skills while decreasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The brain depends on a vast network of blood vessels to provide adequate nutrient, energy and oxygen supply to its cells. Transportation of these supplies depends on the health of the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular transportation system is critical to both the heart and the brain. Elevated cholesterol levels contribute to clogged arteries in both. Diets high in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fats increase risk of arterial disease. Studies have also established a connection between brain health and vitamin B. Many health experts recommend taking a daily multi-vitamin tablet to cover all bases.... Read more

Minimize Resistance, Maximize Fuel Economy, Part II

In last week’s post (Minimize Resistance, Maximize Fuel Economy) I talked about how tires and front end alignment can affect fuel economy. In that post, I talked a lot about the importance of toe-in alignment, and mentioned the importance of other settings as well. While it’s true that the other angles will have little effect on rolling resistance, incorrect camber will cause the tires to wear more quickly. Camber is the inward or outward lean of the top of the tire; inward lean is negative camber; outward is positive. But what a lot of RVers don’t know is that the rear axle, or axles, can also be out of alignment-and if that’s the case, this problem can increase resistance and tire wear, reduce fuel economy and cause handling issues. The axle may be bent, tweaked or not installed properly from the factory-the end result being rear wheel steering. Read more  Read More →

RV Today Archive – San Francisco – Part 2

As shown in Part 1, San Francisco is full of beautiful and interesting sights. However, driving an RV through San Francisco, with its crooked streets, is not always a good idea. But, do not despair. In this video, popular TV host Stew Oleson shows us the great San Francisco RV Resort next to the ocean to set up camp if you are planning to visit the San Francisco area with your RV. You can sometimes even arrange to be picked up at the RV Park for a tour of San Francisco, the wine country, or the Redwoods. It is conveniently located just 20 minutes south of San Francisco. Watch the video below: This RV park is pretty popular, you may want to reserve in advance… Stay tuned to more episodes being published from the RV Today Show Archives.  Read More →

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