RV Traveler Email Newsletter #73

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Women RVers
tell their stories
Essential reading for women RVers

RV Traveler #73
August 24, 2003

SIEMENS/SHELL RV SOLAR PANEL KIT SALE
Two 65 watt solar panels + charge control + RV mounting
brackets for $539 to 8/28/03... Reg. $804... One panel kit $324
... Up to 24 kwh/mo of free clean green power without fuel, noise,
fumes. 800-222-0017 or click here.

On this date in 1926 movie idol Rudolph Valentino died at age 31.

This newsletter brought to you by
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This issue's email circulation: 56,918

Our campsite at Takhlakh Lake Campground was a few dozen yards from here. The lake is small, and no power boats are allowed, making for a peaceful scene. Mt. Adams, a 12,276-foot Cascade volcano, dominates the landscape. Late in the afternoon the setting sun colors the mountain a glowing orange/pink. The field of snow visible down the side of the mountain is a glacier. The lake and campground are located at an elevation of 4,416 feet. The nightly fee is $14 and reservations are a very good idea.

FROM CHUCK WOODBURY
editor, http://www.RVtraveler.com

I spent the last week camping at the Takhlakh Lake
Campground in Washington state's Gifford Pinchot National
Forest. The campground and picture postcard lake is near
the base of 12,276-foot Mt. Adams, a magnificent Cascade
volcano as you can see in the photo above. The campground
is only suitable for RVs 24 feet or shorter.

The fishing in Takhlakh Lake can be good for brook and
rainbow trout. I managed to snag one little Brookie, but our
entire group managed 12, which we grilled for lunch. Yum!

My family and I had a scare on the way in. The camp host
ran to us as we were pulling into our campsite. "You've
lost a lot of automatic transmission fluid," he said, and sure
enough, a long wet trail marked our path. We could not
leave without replenishing the fluid. But how serious a
problem did we have?

My friend Rolf, a mechanic who normally works on Boeing
747s and 767s, was part of our group, and he and I tried to
figure out what to do. Ultimately, we drove in Rolf's van
50 miles to Packwood, Wash., to buy enough transmission
fluid to replenish what my RV had lost. It turned out that
I had severely overheated the automatic transmission on
the steep grade to the campground, causing the spill.
Lesson learned: be careful not to overheat your transmission.

On the way home, my family followed Rolf's, who
were towing a pop up trailer. Along a narrow stretch of
U.S. 12, the trailer blew a tire. It turned out that
Rolf's lug wrench wouldn't fit, nor would mine. A friend
directed traffic to prevent an accident until a State Tropper
took over and also provided the right wrench. Lesson learned:
Make sure you have the proper lug wrench.

For our four-day outing, we had no hookups so had to do
with our onboard supply of water and power. I have grown
accustomed to hookups in recent trips, so it was a challenge
to "do without." My wife and I managed to sneak one very
brief "Navy" shower apiece. Water used per shower: about
six quarts. Dirt washed down drain: considerable.

In the evening, we cooked our meals over the Forest
Service grill, roasted marshmallows by the campfire
where we told jokes and played word games ("Name a song
that includes the word 'fire,' etc."). After dark we visited
the nearby lakeshore to observe the Milky Way and Mars,
which reflected brightly in the lake.

It was a great camping getaway.

Finally, last week I asked you to write to me about your
experiences using your RV as backup during the recent
Northeast power outage and others like it. Dozens of you
wrote. Thanks! I'll announce a web page in next week's
issue where you can read the fascinating stories.

NEW IN OUR BOOKSTORE: "POP UP 101" E-BOOK
If you are considering purchasing a pop-up trailer, or already
own one and have questions about towing, weights, hitch work,
backing, campground set-up, LP gas, water and the electrical
system, then this e-book by RV expert Mark Polk will be of
great value. Learn more or order.

GOOD SAM EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE
Protects you, your spouse, AND all children age 25 or younger
(living at home or attending college), your RV, AND all household
cars, SUVs, minivans, and pick-ups! Only $79.95!
EMAIL VIRUS RUNNING RAMPANT
Have you been receiving a lot of email lately with subject
lines like "Details,""Wicked screensaver" or "That movie?"
Read more about the nasty virus that's causing these messages
and how to get rid of it if you have it.

AIRSTREAM MANUFACTURER BUYS RIVAL RV COMPANY
Thor Industries, the manufacturer of Airstream trailers and
other RVs, has agreed to buy motorhome manufacturer
Damon Corp. for $46 million to become the largest U.S.
producer of recreational vehicles by sales volume.
Thor expects to complete the purchase Sept. 2.

SUBSCRIBE TO THESE RV MAGAZINES. Best prices:
Motorhome, Trailer Life, RV Journal, RV Companion, Gypsy Journal
and Pop Up Times: http://www.NewRVer.com/rvmags.html

CLUB SERVES OWNERS OF FLEETWOOD RVs
RVers who own an RV made by Fleetwood are eligible for
membership in Club Fleetwood. The group holds a national
rally each year, and there are many local and regional
activities as well. More info.

SHOPPING FOR AN RV EXTENDED WARRANTY?
The Good Sam Club's Continued Service Plan covers your coach,
engine, appliances and accessories in your new or used
motorhome, trailer and even tow vehicle! Get an online quote.

ANTHROPOLOGISTS CONCLUDE RVers ARE HAPPY
People who travel in recreational vehicles claim to feel
healthier, both physically and mentally, than they would
if they led more sedentary lives, according to the
only anthropological study of RVers. Read more.

DO YOU RV IN FLORIDA?
Subscribe to the free Florida RVer email newsletter. Read the
current issue or sign up.

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RV HOLDING TANKS
Learn how to dump and much more.

ESSENTIAL READING ABOUT RVing IN ALASKA AND CANADA
Alaska By RV, Western Canada By RV, Eastern Canada By RV:
http://www.RVbookstore.com/howens.html. And don't forget the
2003 ALASKA MILEPOST DIRECTORY. If you are headed to Alaska,
Yukon Territory, BC, Alberta or NW Territories, this 55th edition
guidebook is essential. Get info or order.

MOTORCOACH REVIEW: TRAVEL SUPREME SELECT
Get Family Motor Coaching Magazine's take on this
41-foot triple-slideout diesel pusher.

WOMEN RVers: RVing isn't just for guys. Read more.

FIND THE PERFECT PLACE TO RETIRE
If you are searching for "your" perfect place to spend your
retirement years, whether in a house or as home base for your
RV, then here is a good resource. Take a quiz and you'll soon
know just the right place for you.

HOME VIDEOS HELP NEW RV OWNERS LEARN TO USE THEIR RIGS
RV Education 101 presents home videos on how to operate everything
on an RV. The VHS videos are very useful to anyone new to RVing.
Read more, view a Quicktime video clip, or order at:
Class A motorhome video
Class C motorhome video
Trailer/5th wheel video
Pop Up Trailer Video
Winterizing Your RV

CRUISE AMERICA OFFERING HALF PRICE RV RENTALS
From now through Dec 31, rent an RV for three, seven, or
14 nights, and you get double the nights for no extra charge.
The promotion is valid in 13 states, all of which are in southerly
climates, which can be too hot for summer road trips, but are
perfect for fall and early winter. The states are Alabama, Arizona,
California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee,
and Texas. Learn more.

RV FINANCING. GET A QUICK QUOTE
Financial Underwriters Network provides exceptional customer service
and exceptional interest rates. Get a quick online quote and caring service.

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL DELAYS RV ROAD TRIP
Gasoline shortages prompted presidential candidate Joe
Lieberman on Monday to put a "Whoa!" on his planned
"Journey for Joe" road trip through Arizona in a 40-foot
motorhome his staff dubs a "WinnebaJoe." The Democratic
U.S. senator from Connecticut was to have embarked Tuesday
on a weeklong tour of the state. The trip will be rescheduled.

Best-selling books and videos about RVing

RV BUYERS SURVIVAL GUIDE (Also available as an instant ebook)
Buying an RV? You must read this first. Written by an ex-RV
sales manager who reveals all. Read this and save big money!

VIDEO: ROCKY MOUNTAINS BY RV
Visit Yellowstone, Tetons, Glacier and Rocky Mountain Nat. Parks

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION LAKES GUIDE
Learn what to see and do at 250 lakes in the West and Midwest.
Most of these areas have low-cost campgrounds. Only $7.95

ALL ABOUT CLASS A MOTORHOMES
Advice for Class A buyers about rig selection, getting a good deal, and
how to inspect a rig before taking delivery.

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