Not signed up to receive this? Sign up now! Subscribe Now! Sign up right now! Easy as pie! And we keep your email address private forever and ever!   If you have a problem with this form, please send a blank email here and you will be subscribed.

Essential reading for fulltime RVers or those who aspire to be.

RV Traveler #83 November 2, 2003

SIEMENS/SHELL BOONDOCKER RV SOLAR PANEL KIT SALE
Two 65 watt solar panels + charge control + RV mounts for
$539 to 11/05/03... Reg $804... Up to 24 kwh/mo of free
clean green power... No noise or lethal generator fumes...
Save over 100% on fuel. 800-222-0017 or click here.

---

This issue's email circulation: 58,600

---

This newsletter brought to you by
Beginners Guide to RVing
Free Campgrounds of the West
Florida RVer
RV Bookstore
RV Links
RV Jokes

Sponsors
Camping World
RV Trader. Buy or sell an RV
Workamper News

---

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

I got a good chuckle while reading an ad in this month's Nevada
Magazine for the town of Battle Mountain, which is right
along I-80 in basically the middle of nowhere. If you have
driven by you may have noticed the big letters "BM" on
the side of a hill.

In its ad, Battle Mountain suggests "Make Us Your Pit Stop,"
which is a decent idea because, frankly, there is practically
no other reason to pay a visit. But right below the town
motto, in big type, the ad boasts, "Voted The Armpit of
America by the Washington Post."

And this is true. In June, 2001, a Post reporter stopped by,
wondered why anyone would live there, and then wrote a
story with his now-famous proclamation. At first, residents
were mad. But some thought it was a good break — some
notoriety for their community, known for little else than
the "Two Stiffs Selling Gas" gas station and the huge BM.
Soon, "Armpit of America" tee shirts were available
at Mills Drug Store and the town subsequently staged its
first "Festival In The Pit."

Up the road an hour or so is Winnemucca, a pleasant small
community with several fine Basque restaurants. Back a
few years ago, the town's chamber of commerce
displayed a magnificent sense of humor on a series of
hilarious billboards along I-80 for a hundred miles east
and west. "Cruise the Humboldt" one advertised, showing
a cruise ship atop the local river, which, in reality, would
more likely accommodate a rowboat. Another proclaimed
"Winnemucca: One traffic jam every decade," which was
probably true. The idea, of course, was to entice motorists
to exit the interstate to spend some badly-needed dollars.

A half-dozen years or so ago, Rand McNally named Yuba City,
Calif., the worst place in America to live. Residents fumed. To
combat further embarrassment, they met to create an image-
building program. They decided to start an annual festival. That
would help, they figured. And so they did, promoting it far and
wide. Alas, their Prune Festival did little to improve the town's
stature, although its subsequent ranking did rise a notch or two.

I think one of the wonderful things about traveling as we do by
RV is dropping in on small communities and observing them in
action. Sometimes you have to be creative to get a sense of
what a town is about. Things that I have done are attend a little
league baseball game, sit in on a city council meeting, attend
a church service, or simply walk the main street and shoot the
breeze with anyone who wants to talk.

One afternoon, in Toledo, Wash., I stopped by a local high school
just as a football pep rally was getting underway. As I approached
the gym, a pep band played "On Wisconsin." I stepped inside the
door unnoticed, and watched the song leaders dance and the
team quarterback boast how he and his chums would crush
their opponents that evening. Students in the packed grandstand
screamed and stomped their feet and the band played on. I
closed my eyes for a few moments and was transported back
30 years to when I was a pimply-faced kid in a similar grandstand.

Here's a suggestion: the next time you wander into a small town,
seek out a charity pancake breakfast or spaghetti feed. Show up, pay
your $5 and then introduce yourself to the folks at your table. The
food may not be memorable, but the time with these people will be.

See photos of the funny Winnemucca billboards.

See The Battle Mountain "Armpit of America" ad

---

NEW WEBSITE FOR FULL TIMERS
Are you a full time RVer or aspire to be? Then visit
Full Time RVer, which you will like very much. Be sure to
sign up for the free email newsletter, too.

---

LAST WEEK'S READER SURVEY
We asked you if you wear gloves while emptying your
RV's holding tanks. Here is how you answered based on
more than 2,100 responses.
Yes, always — 56%
Sometimes — 20%
Never — 24%

This week's survey
IS YOUR PRESENT RV TOO BIG, TOO SMALL OR JUST RIGHT?
Tell us what you think or read a tally of reader responses.

EDITOR'S FAVORITE PHOTOS
This week's selection: Winnemucca billboards

---

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

---

TIME MAGAZINE DISCUSSES WIRELESS INTERNET AND RVers
Geeks, grandparents and good ole boys alike are signing up
for wi-fi access at RV parks. Whether they pull up in $10,000
campers or $300,000 mansions on wheels, the nation's mobile
nomads are using wireless connections to work and play, to
bank, to check their stock portfolios or just to stay in touch
with loved ones from the road. Read more.

RVer LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AFTER TRAILER NEARLY CRUSHES HIM
Rescuers last week rushed to a Louisiana campground after an RVer
became pinned beneath his travel trailer. The man was trying to
change a flat tire using two scissor jacks. When one of the jacks
fell, he crawled under the trailer to try to fix it, and that's when
the other one failed and the RV collapsed onto his chest, pinning
him. There's no word of whether the man survived, but the
lesson here is to never get underneath any vehicle with such
tentative support.

---

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.

---

MEET THE STUPIDEST RVers IN HISTORY
That's what we would call this couple, who should never have
stepped inside an RV. In this article, apparently written nearly
two decades after Sheri and Bob's first trip gone terribly wrong,
Sheri still blames Bob ("who I love dearly," she claims) for
most if not all the mishaps. The moronic question posed along
with Sheri's account is "Can a marriage survive an RV trip?"
You'll either laugh or cry after reading this story. We did both.

---

RV PARKS WITH WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS
New parks added weekly

---

WORKAMPER NEWS HELPS RVers FIND JOBS
RVers who want (or need) to work to support their lifestyle
will find no better resource than Workamper News, a monthly
magazine and information-packed website. The current issue
of Workamper News features pages and pages of job listings.
Some simply offer a free campsite in exchange for chores, but
others offer a paycheck as well.

---

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.

---

NO FEE CAMPING ALONG U.S. 395
RV Traveler's friend Desert Dutch drove what remains of
U.S. 395 from southern California to the Walker Lake area
and, with text and photos, tells about the drive and shows
where RVers can stay without paying a fee.

---

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

---

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:
Winterizing Your RV
Class A motorhome video
Class C motorhome video
Trailer/5th wheel video
Pop Up Trailer Video

---

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH A CAT
Have you decided to bring cute little Fluffy with you on your
next RV trip? If so, you might want to read this article about
how to do it. As you will soon learn, it's not a good idea to
simply toss in the feline and go.

---

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.

---

Best-selling books and videos about RVing

THE NEXT EXIT 2003
Learn what stores and services are located at every Interstate exit.

'CAMPING' AT WAL-MART HOME VIDEO AND DVD
Documentary film interviews RVers 'camping' at Wal-Mart

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!

CAMPING WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Describes more than 900 campgrounds across the USA managed by the
Corps of Engineers. A fabulous resource! Seniors camp for half-price.

DON WRIGHT'S GUIDE TO FREE CAMPGROUNDS
Two editions, Eastern USA and Western USA. Lists all free and under
$12 campgrounds including those far off the beaten path.

MOTORHOMES MADE EASY, TRAILERS MADE EASY
These two books explain how to use everything on a motorhome
or trailer (or 5th wheel). And what a bargain at only $8.95 each!

VIDEO: DELIVERING MOTORHOMES TO RV DEALERS FOR PROFIT

THE ABCs OF RVing (Also available as an instant ebook)
A primer for new RVers written by Chuck Woodbury. Lots of info!

GUIDE TO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CAMPGROUNDS
An awesome directory of campgrounds in National Parks

2003 GUIDE TO REST AREAS
Plus locations of Wal-Mart, Flying J, etc. Only $9.95

MOUNTAIN PASS GUIDE, WEST AND EAST EDITIONS
Ever get surprised by a steep or narrow road on a mountain pass?
Don't be surprised again. These guides tell you everything you need to
know about driving over 700 mountain passes in the USA.

MOVING' ON: LIVING AND TRAVELING FULL TIME IN AN RV
Essential reading for full-timers or those who want to be.

SUPPORT YOUR RV LIFESTYLE
AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO WORKING ON THE ROAD
A superb guide about find work as your travel by RV.

RV WATCH DOG
Don't get taken on an RV repair job. Learn the scams that shady
repair shops pull. Plus tons of great advice about RV repair.

VIDEO: TOP 40 RV CAMPING TIPS
RV experts Joe and Vicki Kieva reveal some very clever
ideas to save RVers time, money and hassles.

ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR RVers II
Covers everything the RVer needs to know from A to Z

QUARTZSITE HOME VIDEO AND DVD
Take an armchair visit to the RV Boondocking Capital of the West
on VHS home video or DVD

HOW TO GET PAID $50,000 A YEAR TO DELIVER MOTORHOMES

2003 RVer's FRIEND
Learn what services America's truck stops offer RVers. Best Seller!