Getting Along - Part 3 - Tips from Bernice
July 23, 2008 by Bernice Beard · Leave a Comment
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Today I am completing my top tips for making RV travel more enjoyable when traveling in groups. My hope is that by following the tips listed here, as well as those in Part 1 and 2, you’ll be able to confidently RV for extended trips with your loved ones.
- It seems obvious, but tell your traveling companions about your telephone conversations that involve them. For example, when you call a friend that you all will visit, tell your traveling companions and give them any details they need to know. This way, everyone will be on the same wavelength.
- Try to stick to your budget, but don’t get upset if your companion spends money on something you think is frivolous—the item could have a lot of meaning to the spender, now or later, or it could just be a “mad money” expenditure. You are already saving money by RV travel, so relax about what is spent on the trip.
- Go where you and your companions want to go. The trip is an adventure, so if you think rock hunting is boring, but someone else wants to do it, try it.
- Offer options instead of making demands. Instead of saying to your travel partner, “We have to go to the grocery store after breakfast,” say something such as, “Can we discuss when we can go to the grocery store next?” That way, you both have a voice in the decision.
- I discovered that friendships flourished on the road when we (1) talked freely with one another about plans, routes and wishes; (2) were ready to depart on time; (3) looked on the positive side of what could be taken as negative words or incidents; (4) thanked one another for courtesies or work; (5) were willing to sightsee or follow a route that others chose; (6) helped to research places to see and things to do; (7) shared expenses willingly; (8) laughed or saw the funny side of words or happenings; (9) were willing to jump in and help with knowledge or labor as needed; and (10) accepted the other persons as they were, not as we thought they should be. The idea is for all to share in the jobs and joys of the trip together.
- Remember that in the RV lifestyle, domestic duties know no gender. Everybody pitches in wherever necessary.
It’s the differences between all of us that make life interesting. Hopefully, if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to celebrate the diversity that exists between you and your traveling companions and thereby create a more joyous journey!
Happy travels!
Getting Along - Part 2 - Tips from Bernice
July 16, 2008 by Bernice Beard · 1 Comment
Today I am listing a few more tips to make RV travel more enjoyable, particularly when traveling in groups. RVers are frequently gregarious, like to meet people and sometimes travel with friends. In these cases a positive attitude can go a long way toward having a great time.
- If you’re normally the leader, be open to letting someone else try planning and navigating. You may learn something yourself.
- Before a trip with friends, discuss what each of you wants to include in your trip. It’s good to actually write down an itinerary, even if it is tentative and you change destinations as you travel. Read more
Let the Computer Navigate with GPS
July 10, 2008 by Chris Guld · 23 Comments
I’ve had some conversations with fellow RVers that went something like this: “What kind of GPS navigation system do you use as you travel?”, I asked. They responded with something akin to: “I don’t need no stinking GPS to do my navigating! I can read a map just fine.”
hmmm, that got me to thinking. I’ve told many people that I won’t travel without a GPS navigation system anymore, Read more
Crazy RV Swap?
July 6, 2008 by David Kurtz · 9 Comments
Call Me Crazy!
After our Door County adventure last week and after getting our trailer home, I called our dealer, House of Camping in Bridgeview Illinois about two problems I had and needed them fixed. While on the phone with my dealer, I asked him if he still had another model we had looked at. Perhaps I should rewind a bit on this so you all can be on the same page as me.
Hot Weather Preventive Maintenance
July 1, 2008 by Mark Polk · Leave a Comment
When I was in the military I was in charge of some very large fleet maintenance operations. As a maintenance officer a term that was near and dear to me was preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is maintenance you perform on your vehicle before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction or failure of a component or system. Preventive maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and servicing your vehicle. In the military there were preventive maintenance checks that the vehicle operator was responsible for and preventive maintenance checks that different echelons of maintenance personnel performed.
Since my days in the military I continue to perform preventive maintenance on my automobiles and the RV. For the most part I would classify these checks as operator level preventive maintenance checks, that almost anyone is capable of performing. Don’t confuse this with scheduled maintenance. Scheduled or routine maintenance is performed in intervals normally based on time, mileage or hours. Scheduled maintenance is designed to keep your vehicles in top operating condition and prevent untimely breakdowns and repairs.
Note: It is absolutely essential that you read your owner’s manual and warranty information in regards to who is responsible for what when it comes to scheduled maintenance. Scheduled maintenance that is required by the manufacturer and not performed can void your warranty.
With the hot weather upon us I thought it appropriate to list some simple preventive maintenance checks you can make on your automobile or RV before heading out on a trip. Read more
Feed Your Brain?
June 24, 2008 by Lynn Difley · Leave a Comment
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. Maintaining a healthy body weight is also just as crucial to the brain as it is to the heart. Excess weight increases risk of vascular disease, cognitive problems and dementia. A heart healthy diet, in addition to regular physical activity will promote weight loss and arterial health while decreasing the risk of cognitive decline.
The best way to protect the brain from degenerative disease is to reduce the damage of free radicals by consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables– the antioxidant supply house. A study on aging in Chicago found that eating 2.8 servings of vegetables per day (far less than the recommended minimum 6) slows the rate of mental decline by roughly 40% compared with eating less than one serving daily. Green leafy vegetables produce the strongest benefits–so Popeye was right!
While the consensus is that a multivitamin is a good way to get your necessary minimum quantity of vitamins and minerals, experts declare that the best source of antioxidants and vitamin E is your food. Consuming a variety of foods–trying to include a “rainbow” of color hues in the veggies you eat is superior to taking a pill. Consuming the vitamins in their natural form provides the broadest range of complementary nutrients, photochemical and oxidants to maximize brain health. The best place to find the source for maximal protection to your gray matter is in the produce section, and the best weapon for ultimate brainpower and heart health is your daily exercise practice..
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Will Drilling ANWR Ease the Oil Crisis?
June 21, 2008 by Bob Difley · 38 Comments
With fuel prices continuing to climb with no peak in sight, arguments have re-surfaced for drilling off the coasts of Florida and California, on public lands, and in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Offshore drilling has been banned for 27 years and both presidential candidates are against drilling in the ANWR. But how valid are the arguments made for tapping into America’s oil reserves to lower our foreign oil imports and the price of oil? This subject has legions of supporters and detractors, especially when the subject of ANWR comes up.
Heart Attack: Lowering the Risk
June 17, 2008 by Lynn Difley · Leave a Comment
By Lynn Difley
The Risk of Heart Attacks: What We Can Do Before They Happen
We just read in the papers that Tim Russert, the host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and the American network’s Washington bureau chief, died on Friday of a heart attack. Russert collapsed and died at work in NBC’s Washington bureau after returning from a trip to Italy with his family, and despite resuscitation efforts, died. His death is a sad reminder that cardiac arrest can strike anyone without warning—and that when it does, it is often fatal. The first warning of heart problems is often the heart attack itself.
Sudden cardiac arrest accounts for 310,000 deaths in America every year, or 850 a day—more than those caused by breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke, and AIDS combined. But despite how common the condition is, doctors know little about what predisposes one person to it and not another.
Heat Stroke…it isn’t just for the elderly.
June 16, 2008 by Gary Smith · 2 Comments
Last week we talked about Heat exhaustion, and I recieved some private messages that went something along the lines of well this is an old folks’ problem, so I don’t have to worry about it. Sorry devoted readers, what I was trying to express was that the very young and the older/out of shape people are more at risk, BUT young and health people can easily suffer from it, too. All it takes is to start to deplete the body’s store of fluids and electrolytes and not be able to properly cool the body either because of heat and humidity or physical activity.
Today, we are going to go beyond heat exhaustion and talk about Heat Stroke. Remember, with heat exhaustion, the body, if replenished with fluids and electrolytes and cooled, could recover itself. Heat Stroke has gone beyond that. Often the body can not recover on its own and is not able to cool on it’s own either. True Heat stroke victims have lost the ability to sweat; they may still be clammy but are not sweating, and the body’s temperature is climbing rapidly to dangerous levels. But to learn more, let’s follow the continued below link ….
Turn the Air on!
June 11, 2008 by Mark Polk · 3 Comments
Campgrounds across the country have something in common around this time every year. Not only are many of them filled to capacity, but they are trying to keep up with the high demand for electricity. The heat is on and so are the air conditioners. The familiar humming sound of air conditioners can be heard day and night throughout the tranquil campground setting.
As campgrounds struggle to meet the taxing demand placed on the electrical system many of the patrons camping there are unaware of the potential problems this can create. Campground electricity can fluctuate a great deal, especially during the summer months when the demand for electricity is much greater. When AC voltage drops below 105 volts or goes above 130 volts you risk damaging thousands of dollars worth of electrical appliances and electronic equipment in your RV.
