HELPING EACH OTHER

By Monique & Barry Zander, the Never-Bored RVers Like so many of you, now that spring has arrived we’re back on the road, shaking off many days of confinement at home.  Except for taking forever to line up the hitch ball with the receiver, it has been a welcomed change of pace. We have returned to Coronado Island by San Diego just in time to see the roads and streets lined with freshly opened, vividly-hued flowers.  But this edition of the Never Bored RVers blog is not about travel or roadside beauty.  It’s about one of the most appreciated elements of RVing – Our community on the road Two months ago we bought a cabin in a small community, where there is said to be one volunteer organization for every 43 residents.  Seems like everybody’s involved in at least one club or charitable group.  We’ve never seen anything like it … but, wait!   Isn’t that similar to what we love about our lives on the road? Monique and I have been full-timers for four-and-a-half years.  Before we ever departed for our first stop at Sequoia National Park, we did a “shake-down” cruise to a son’s high desert property in California.  Boy, were we raw! With only a 45-minute walk-through at the RV dealership, we knew practically nothing.  Example:  we didn’t remember what our docent said about filling the fresh water tank.  It was from the satellite dish installer guy who looked at us like we were probably taking on something that we weren’t ready for that we learned... Read more

Good News from Texas State Parks: Palo Duro Canyon

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is getting a new group recreation facility, the first of its kind in a Texas State Park. The new stone-clad facility will be 5,200 square feet with meeting and dining hall space, restrooms, and a commercial kitchen perfect for wedding receptions and family reunions. The Lighthouse Rock formation can be reached on a hiking trail. Photo courtesy TPWD A recent groundbreaking ceremony marked the $1 million donation by local businessman Mack Dick, for whom the pavilion is named. It will be used in a public/private partnership to which the state will add $700,000, reported Amarillo.com. Dick has a history with the park, spending time there with his family and friends. “I like the scenery. I like the wildlife. You can see the nice trails,” he said. “The big thing is it’s not crowded. You feel like you’re out in the Wild West.” The Mack Dick Group Pavilion will be a state of the art facility that will have a seating capacity of 150 and have multi-media technology. “In these difficult times we have found very few dollars available for capital development in fact, we have not had capital development dollars in state parks in many many years. Had it not be for the generosity of the private sector and forming these partnerships these types of projects simply would not be possible,” said Brent Leisure, Texas State Park Director. The pavilion will show off local stone and native materials at its location just below... Read more

Digging for Diamonds

Last month I reported than an Arkansas couple had found a flawless 2.44-carat silver white diamond at the Crater of Diamonds. A 3.86 ct. diamond found at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Image courtesy fox16.com The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, has now yielded an even bigger find, a 3.86-carat jewel dubbed the “Heart of Arkansas” for its heart shape. A longtime visitor to the park from Murfreesboro, where the park is located, unearthed the diamond while sifting through the park dirt earlier this month. “It’s the largest diamond in just about a year,” said park guide and educator Waymon Cox. “‘Diamond in the rough’ is a bit of a misnomer. We have many beautiful rough diamonds that can be used in jewelry.” Cox describes the diamond as the size of a piece of candy corn, with a pearly white shine. The local man who found the diamond this week has chosen to remain anonymous. Although the park isn’t sure how much the gem is worth, Cox characterized his find as having the “potential to be substantially more valuable” than a 2-carat diamond found three years ago. That diamond was cut and appraised for $22,000. It’s the largest find at the park since someone dug up an almost 5-carat brown diamond last April. A Gem among Diamond Mines The only one of its kind in the country, Crater of Diamonds is a 37.5-acre state park on the site of an ancient volcanic pipe that, 95 million years ago,... Read more

The Zen of Boondocking Part XII – More public land camping options

By Bob Difley In last week’s post I wrote about camping on public lands other than the two big entities, the BLM and National Forest Service. This is a continuation, since I ran out of space last week. But it does indicate just how much area in this country is available for boondocking–if you know where to look. NATIONAL MONUMENTS In National Parks you can camp only in a designated campground. National Monuments are less restricted, have fewer facilities, and may allow boondocking in certain areas. Check at the visitor center or online whether the park allows dispersed camping before making camp. Many monuments also have primitive campgrounds (photo – Craters of the Moon, near Arco, ID). NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (NRA) Eighteen NRAs are managed by the NPS, with the FS managing several more and the BLM managing one. It depends on the NRA itself whether dispersed camping is allowed. Most have designated campgrounds, some with partial hook-ups, some without, but with amenities like dump stations and drinking water. NRAs are often found within National Forests and on large reservoirs with lots of recreation possibilities. One of my favorites, the Sawtooth NRA in central Idaho, has lots of dispersed campsites on the edge of the forests bordering the Salmon River that flows through the valley. East of the town of Stanley, the hub of the NRA, dispersed sites also lie along the Salmon River, several with hot springs bubbling and steaming into the cool river. HARBOR DISTRICTS Don’t... Read more

Woodall’s Allows Facebook Users to Search Eco-Friendly Campgrounds & RV Parks

To celebrate Earth Day, Woodall’s is excited to announce the creation of a searchable database of “Green-Friendly” parks at Facebook.com/Woodalls. The Woodall’s / ARVC Plan-It “Green-Friendly” Park Program, which rolled out last year, helps determine parks that are implementing eco-friendly practices at their campground or RV park. Together, Woodall’s and National ARVC– with guidance from Leave No Trace (an organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment of the outdoors)–has developed “Green-Friendly” criteria that is applied to RV parks or campgrounds around the country. Some of the qualifications Woodall’s and ARVC look for to identify Campgrounds or RV Parks as “Green Friendly” are: Does the campground use energy-efficient light bulbs? Are there recycle bins for cans, paper, glass and plastic? Does the park use with non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products? Does the park have water saving showerheads and/or faucets with automatic shutoff taps? What about energy saving appliances at the park? To start searching for a “Green-Friendly” park today, visit Facebook.com/Woodall’s.  Read More →

Sutton RV: Top Airstream Dealer in West

George M. Sutton RV has become the premier one-stop dealership for unique, high quality lightweight products. Their flagship brand is Airstream. Airstream has released its list of “Top Ten” dealerships for 2010-2011 and has named George M. Sutton RV “Number Two” behind an East Coast outlet. Located in Eugene, Oregon’s third-largest city, Sutton RV has sold nearly 100 new and used Airstream products this past year. Coupled with its sales excellence, George M. Sutton RV is Airstream’s West Coast leader in service, parts, and both warranty and body repairs, according to a company news release. Founded in 1996, Sutton RV is a family-owned business, a tradition in the Sutton family since 1921. Both George’s father and grandfather owned and operated George M. Sutton Ford, Inglewood, California, for 37 years. The Sutton family was featured in Life Magazine as an example of American Life in December 1956. George and Martha Sutton In addition to Airstream’s tribute, George M. Sutton was elected President of the Oregon RV Dealers Association (ORVDA) at their Spring Meeting in Salem, Oregon. An association of dealers, suppliers, lenders, and associates who are dedicated to promoting the welfare of the RVing public, ORVDA is also focused on legislative issues that affect their ability to do business. “For example,” explains Sutton, “the laws that define an RV versus a manufactured home are convoluted. Currently, when an RV is larger... Read more

The DISH Network HD Advantage for RVs

by Marcel Guajardo, DISH Network RV Products Manager Space for electronics has always been a challenge in motorcoaches. One of the greatest space-saving inventions in recent years is the high-definition (HD) TV.  Just about all new motorcoaches have pre-installed HD TVs.  HD TVs not only have the best picture quality but also they save space compared to standard-definition TVs.  Even if you don’t have a new motorcoach, you should consider purchasing a new HD TV.  To enjoy high-definition programming on your HD TV, you need three items:  an HD mobile satellite antenna, a DISH Network HD satellite receiver, and DISH Network HD programming.  Only DISH Network’s HD programming is compatible with all HD mobile satellite antennas.  DIRECTV’s HD programming operates at a frequency called “Ka-band,” which isn’t compatible with the RV dome satellite antennas. There are many choices when it comes to mobile satellite antennas. Some of the HD dome satellite antennas include Winegard’s RoadTrip® MiniMax™ and King Controls’ King-Dome®.  Both are professionally installed on top of your RV.  All you have to do is turn on the dome antenna, press a few buttons from inside your RV, and the antenna will automatically locate the satellites and you will be watching DISH Network HD TV.  I’ve personally used both of these wonderful products, and can say that they work seamlessly with the DISH Network ViP® 211k HD receiver.  Both products even have a premium version... Read more

Why Consistency Matters, Especially When RVing With Your Dog

Pretty much everybody is familiar with the concept of consistency as it relates to dog training. But frequently, dog owners don’t keep it clear in their own head. Consistency means that your dog perceives the same outcome to a behavior– every time he does that behavior– until you’ve burned it into his brain as a conditioned response.  And this is especially important to the RVer who travels with their dog as the very nature of RVing means we’re constantly exposing our dog to new and exciting environments. And that’s why consistency matters. Example: While you’re getting ready to leave the RV with your dog , your dog gets excited and jumps up on you. And so you use one of my techniques to correct this behavior. Later in the day, you’re talking with another RVer about the benefits of a Class C vs. a Travel Trailer, while your dog is running around your picnic table. But you’re so engrossed in your conversation that you don’t realize your dog has now come over to you, jumped up with his front paws on your pants… and now you’re scratching behind his ears.  (All the while still engrossed in your conversation). Unfortunately, your dog will never extinguish this unwanted behavior, because he’s not receiving clear communication from you. One time, he’s getting corrected for jumping up. Another time, he’s getting his ears scratched for jumping up. Your dog can’t tell the difference!... Read more

Gr8LakesCamper: Campsite Ticket Scalpers

Bridal veil falls, Yosemite National ParkFellow RVers, I’d like to start a discussion about scalpers – not ticket scalpers, mind you, but campsite scalpers. I recently came across this news item from The Sacramento Bee, by way of the Associated Press: Yosemite battling pest problem: Ticket-scalpers YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Yosemite National Park has a pest problem: Ticket scalpers who are selling the limited camping reservations at exorbitant prices. Spokesman Scott Gediman tells the Sacramento Bee that park officials are becoming more aggressive as they try to curb scalpers. The nation’s third-most visited park has only 900 reserved campsites available at any given time. They go for $20 a night but scalpers advertising on Craigslist are offering them for $100 or more — sometimes for hundreds of dollars. They’re also selling permits to climb Half Dome, which the park essentially issues for free. Gediman says it appears that some scalpers may have devised ways of jumping the reservation queue, possibly through automated computer programs that can instantly snag cancellations. My only experience with ticket scalpers is at sporting events, where it always seems to be the same guys selling tickets at the same venues, regardless of the game or event taking place. Occasionally I’ll sell or buy an extra ticket, but never more than for face value. I have no experience with this campsite ticket scalping, and was wondering if anyone else does. In addition,... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #6 Released

  RV Education 101 releases Episode #6 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube         On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage:  * Mark finishes the 12 volt wiring, the roof decking and starts on the interior of the vintage trailer restoration project.  * See what product can add to enjoying the nightlife under your RV patio awning  * Get some tips on how to maximize your RV refrigerators efficiency.  *  Discover a great camping destination for the entire family located in New York  * Watch an interview with the creator of a charity called “RV 4 the Cause” If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 7 will be available for viewing on 02 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com  Read More →

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