Do you turn your computer off?

We leave ours on all the time.  The only time we turn them off is when we are on the road.  Some people say you should leave your computer on because the act of turning the computer on and off will actually shorten it’s life.  Others say you should turn your computer off when not in use because it uses too much power. Do you turn your computer off?  Leave a comment below. There is a middle road, and it’s called ‘Sleep.’  With Vista, that is the preferred state.  For Macintosh, here’s an article about Sleep.  If you put your computer to sleep in between sessions it won’t take so long to boot up the next time.  It will just pop right up to where you left off.  If you put it to sleep overnight, and you are plugged in to power, it will wake itself up to do scheduled tasks like backups and scans.  My computer does this every night while I’m asleep so it doesn’t slow down operations during the day when I want to work. Watch the video below for an excerpt of our Geeks on Tour Show-Me-How topic about Vista and the Sleep option. If you take my advice and leave your computer on all the time (in Sleep mode when you’re not using it) then, be sure to Restart every day or two so your computer gets to clean out its memory and get a clean start once in a while. Chris Guld, www.GeeksOnTour.com Computer Education for Travelers  Read More →

2005 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager

2005 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager Previously $59,950 – Now $58,950 30 ft. rig features Workhorse Chassis, 8.1L Workhorse gas engine, non-smoking, no pets, 3 Slide Outs, 2 roof A/C units, Aux Generator, Electric Step, 3 Burner Stove, Microwave, Convection, Table and Chair Dinette, Fridge w/Freezer, Ice Maker, Queen Bed and more! Offered from Roman Holiday Motor Homes in New Braunfels, TX. Learn more about this 2005 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager! As featured on  Read More →

Need an HDMI Cable? Don’t Get Ripped Off!

Do NOT use HDMI cables as mental floss. With the recent switch to digital broadcast signals and the dropping price of HDTV sets, many of us are upgrading our RV media centers. The best cable connection for HDTV sets is called HDMI. If you walk into any electronics store, you’ll find HDMI cables are expensive, with some selling for $50 or more. Quite frankly, these high-priced HDMI cables are a RIP-OFF. Don’t get suckered into overpaying for an HDMI cable. Digital signals consist of ones and zeros – there’s no discernible difference in signal quality between a $50 cable and a $5 cable. It either works or it doesn’t. Read more  Read More →

Tarpon Springs, Sponge Capital of the World

Each breath of salt air carries with it a heady mixture to delight the senses. The aroma of delicious pastries wafting from the Greek bakeries that line the waterfront, a taste of gyros and pastitso from the many restaurants sandwiched in between the souvenir shops, and the not-unpleasant smell of fishing boats and nets drying in the sun. Overhead gulls cry out, while the creak of mooring lines and the sounds of fishermen calling out to each other  as they clean their catches and tend to deck chores can be heard. Welcome to Tarpon Springs, a hidden treasure on Florida’s Gulf coast. Read more  Read More →

Marvel at Ancient Sand Dunes Along Lake Michigan

General Info: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, near Empire, Michigan, covers 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline on the lower peninsula. The area is rich with cultural and ecological significance, and offers plenty of fun activities year round. The park derives its name from the Native American legend of Sleeping Bear. Download the Sleeping Bear Dunes park map PDF to get acquainted with the area before your visit. Hours and Fees: The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, MI, is open daily all year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days. Summer hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the rest of the year. Entrance is $10 per vehicle (good for all areas of the park) and is valid for 7 days from date of issue. Annual passes good for 12 months are available for $20. Call the park visitor center for questions and information at (231) 326-5134 ext. 328. Activities: From climbing the towering sand dunes and splashing on the lakeshore to touring historic lighthouses and farmsteads, you’ll never be at a loss for things to do at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound no matter the season; the park features over 100 miles of hiking trails and 21 inland lakes. Cruise along the top of the dune ridge on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7-mile loop road off MI-109, for spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the dunes. Scenic overlooks are spread along the route, with placards... Read more

Subsidies, Mandates, and Renewable Energy

By Bob Difley  Read More →

2001 Winnebago Minnie Winnie

2001 Winnebago Minnie Winnie Previously $69,999 – Now $31,999 Wonderful Class C has super slide w/slide awning the creates a nice main area for dining or relaxing. Features on-board 4000 watt Onan generator and 6 gal. DSI water heater, Rear Walk Around Queen bed and overhead bunk in the front of the unit. Offered from Kitsmiller RV, Inc. in Mason, MI. Learn more about this 2001 Winnebago Minnie Winnie! As featured on  Read More →

VIDEO: Free Overnight Parking in Canada

When we took our Long Long Honeymoon across across Canada, we stayed in a number of private campgrounds. We love staying in nice wooded campgrounds with full hookup amenities. But we also did our share of “overnight parking” — stopping in places such as Wal-Mart, Flying J, and even a friend’s driveway. I’m grateful that we RV’ers have these options when traveling. Even though we prefer to stay in parks, there are times when doing so simply doesn’t make sense. My wife and I often travel during the evening; sometimes we don’t stop for the night until 9 or 10 o’clock. Checking into a campground would be a lot of hassle for a short stay. The beauty of “overnight parking” goes beyond the attractive (free) price tag. It’s also a matter of convenience. There’s no check in procedure, no check out time, and no site assignment. There’s no paperwork or red tape. It’s liberating. If you have ever undertaken a major RV trip across the United States, you know what I mean. But have you tried it in Canada? I’m happy to report that overnight parking works pretty much the same in Canada as it does in the United States. There’s no shortage of Wal-Marts in Canada, and they are generally quite welcoming to RV travelers. Just park in a remote corner, be a good citizen, and do a little shopping. You should also check for signs — some Wal-Marts have designated certain areas of parking lot for... Read more

A Sweet Campground for Family Fun in Hershey

Trailer Life Cream of the Crop Campsites: Hershey Highmeadow Campground—Hershey, Pennsylvania If you’re heading to the Sweetest Place on Earth, this is the place to park the rig! Hershey Highmeadow Campground has 225 gravel RV campsites, each with picnic table and fire grill. You have the option of a pull-thru site with full hookups (30/50 amp and cable TV) measuring 30×50’ or a back-in site (30×40’) with electrical (30/50 amp), water and cable TV hookups. Due to cold weather the water at the campsites is usually turned off November 1, although the park is open year-round. Read more  Read More →

RV Weekly Round-Up (July 18-24, 2009)

Check out these highlights of RV-related news, events and video from this past week. 1. Portable Power & Light: Brian Brawdy shows us his favorite portable power units and headlamps–perfect for those emergency situations or boondocking adventures when you need safe, reliable power and lighting off the grid. Watch the portable power video now! Read more  Read More →

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