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Issue 209
of the world's largest email RV newsletter: Learn about RV camping, RV
travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter is funded through sales
at RVbookstore.com.
An alert for this issue was emailed to more than 110,000 RVers. . . plus you!
This newsletter is posted early every Thursday morning.
To ensure you continue to receive email alerts for this newsletter, please place the following email address in your email address book: rvtraveler@topica.email-publisher.com
2006 Big Rigs Campground Directory! JUST PUBLISHED!
Do
you drive a long motorhome or trailer/tow vehicle combination? Then you
know that not every RV park can accommodate you! Learn which ones can
and even which campsites are best! The editors of the 2006 Big Rigs
Best Bets Campground Directory have visited every campground in their
best-selling directory. Learn more or order.
Editor's Corner
by Jerry (RiverGuy) Brown
A once-in-a-generation wildflower display
Just
about a year ago I headed off for Death Valley. I'd long heard how
beautiful that harsh place can be in the winter months. Many reports
were saying that with all of last year's winter storms, the desert
there was putting on a once-in-a-generation wildflower display.
Unfortunately, the easiest road into the valley, California State Route
190 east from Pahrump, Nevada, had been washed out and was closed
indefinitely. After considering my options, I decided to enter from
Panamint Valley on the west, still S.R. 190. This route wasn't far from
U.S. 395 which would allow me to visit some other sights in the area.
 |
| Panamint Mountains, CA, by jkbrown |
I
had camped a couple of hours away at Red Rock Canyon State Park near
Ridgecrest the night before. It was late morning when I started up the
grade into the Panamint Mountains. If you've never been this way, it is
one heck of a hill -- climbing nearly 4000 feet in about 7 miles,
uphill every foot of the way. I was pulling a five-plus ton fifth wheel
trailer with a ¾-ton diesel pickup.
Feeling
intimidated by the steepness of the road ahead and concerned for my
transmission, I was paying close attention to the tranny temperature.
At first it held steady, then started to rise into the yellow zone. I
wanted to pull off to let it cool, but there was no shoulder on that
part of the curving road. A quarter mile ahead there was a pullout, but
I never made it.
We came
to a dead stop right in the roadway, a cloud of smoke and fluid filling
the air. I set the brake, got out and found a stream of fluid running
back down the road. I had blown a transmission fluid hose connection.
I
directed traffic for about an hour before a ranger came by and called
for a tow truck. It was an hour away and had another disabled RV to
take care of before me. Eventually I got my tow, but it was 100 miles
in the wrong direction to the only service anywhere near. We arrived
after dark.
At least
I had extended towing coverage with my emergency road service. Or so I
thought. I found out that my coverage was for the truck only. I was
billed $400 for towing the trailer, more than the cost of repairing the
tranny. I have since upgraded my emergency service to full RV coverage.
I hope I won't need it, but I wish I'd had it then. My suggestion for
all RVers: check your towing coverage. If you spend a lot of time on
the road, your plan should include extended mileage and cover your
trailer or toad.
I never
did make it to Death Valley and this year there are no flowers. With
that, let's get to this week's issue. Remember if you have suggestions
to share, we'd love to hear from you. Send your comments to jerry@rvtravel.com.
Did you miss last Sunday's RV Travel edited by Chuck Woodbury? If so, read it here.
Get news and information from RV Travel on your My Yahoo! page: Stay current with RVtravel.com's latest news and newsletters on your personal My Yahoo! page. Sign up.
THE DIGITAL RV
Learn
everything "digital" as it relates to an RVer: Connecting to the
Internet, setting up a mini stereo system, managing digital photos,
mastering GPS and more. Order or get more info.
Mailbag - Email to the Editor
Our essay on tire safety continues to elicit reader response.Ron Brown
writes: "I've had my share of tire problems in the five years I've
owned my Class A RV. One thing I've recently done that you may want to
pass along to your readers is to buy an electric compressor large
enough to fill your tires in either an RV campground or remote
location. For $99 it gives me peace of mind of not having to worry
about a low tire in some remote part of this wonderful country." And
from reader Greg Norton: "I once drove over-the-road for a
commercial freight carrier and the company required that tires be
checked at every stop!! A good policy that will save time, equipment
and possibly lives. I continue to follow that policy now that I drive a
Class A rig and include my toad. You just never know when or where you
will pickup a nail or other puncture that causes a tire to leak."
2006 Guide to Dinghy Towing-- NEW LOW PRICE!
If
you plan to pull a vehicle behind your motorhome, the 2006 Guide to
Dinghy Towing from Motorhome Magazine should be an essential resource
about how to do it. PRICE CHOPPED TO ONLY$2.98. Order or get more info.
Roadside America
 |
| World's Largest Catsup Bottle |
The
World's Largest Catsup Bottle is located in Collinsville, Ill., a
little east of St. Louis, Mo. This bottle could hold 640,000
regular-sized bottles of catsup! It was originally the water tower at
the Brooks Catsup Plant, closed since the late '70s. After
deteriorating for decades, the bottle was restored and repainted in the
1990s by local volunteers.
2006 Next Exit Directory
Don't get lost! Never take a wrong exit off an Interstate highway again. The 2006 Next Exit
lists every exit along every Interstate and what's at each:
campgrounds, fuel, truck stops, casinos, malls, rest areas, hospitals
and more. Learn more or order.
RV Park Spotlight!
Our essay on camping near water prompted this suggestion from reader Renee Galligher:
Sligars
1000 Springs Resort on the Snake River South of Hagerman, Idaho. This
family resort in Hagerman Valley offers something for everyone. Swim in
their huge indoor pool where natural hot springs keep the water
temperature at 90-96 degrees year-round. Bask in one of 17 private
indoor hydro-jet spas, large enough for you and seven of your closest
friends. Fish or launch your boat at their Snake River dock. Full
hookups are $22. Sligars is 40 minutes from Twin Falls and just a few
miles off I-84. (208) 837-4987.
Locate Wal-Mart stores
Use this directory to plan free overnight stays.
Get easy driving directions to every Wal-Mart in America.
Learn more about the Wal-Mart Locator or order. Lowest price anywhere: $19.95
From the Free Camping File
Magnolia Beach: Port Lavaca, Texas
Ten
miles south of Port Lavaca Route 238 and then 316 towards Indianola and
Magnolia Beach. Beautiful beach on Matagorda Bay. No soft sand (drive
on the beach), tables, clean, good fishing (with license), sheriff and
emergency services close by. Free.
Do you know of a free or inexpensive ($10 or less) campground? Please share it at FreeCampgrounds.com.
Camp Hosting in State Parks. Learn how!
Finally,
a guide to everything you need to know about working or volunteering as
a campground host in one of America's thousands of state parks. New
book tells how and provides specifics about jobs with contact
information. Read more or order.
Reader Survey
For men: How much hair do you have on top? Answer here.
Camping With The Corps of Engineers
This
288 page guide, updated in 2005, describes more than 850 campgrounds
across the United States developed or managed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. Learn more or order.
No license required at these fishing holes
There's
no such thing as a national fishing license, so when RVing anglers
travel outside their own state, they need to buy a temporary license in
each state they fish. Big hassle! That is. . . unless they fish at
private lakes and ponds. And lucky for RVers, plenty of RV parks have
such facilities. We'll profile such parks each issue.
Honey Bear Campground and RV Resort, Ophir, Ore.
Fishing
in the ocean and rivers near Honey Bear Campground is excellent, but
fishing in its fully stocked pond is even better. No license is
required, but there is a charge. According to the proprietor, "Normally
two for $5, the rainbow trout are so huge right now that they are $5
each." Enjoy secluded sites with ocean views; full hookup regular size
is $21.95, extra large with patios $27. Nearby attractions include
expansive beaches, tours of the Rogue River, and golf. They're located
just off Highway 101 about 60 miles north of the California border near
Gold Beach, Ore. Visit their web site or call (541) 247-2765.
EXPLORER RV: Insurance to protect and save:
Owners of motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels & medium-duty
tow vehicles save up to 15% over our largest competitors by tailoring
their coverage from over a dozen options. Learn more or get a quote.
Peggi's Packing Tips
Jewelry
- Necklaces either hang on a hook inside my bedroom cupboard door, or I
attach them with 'S' hooks to a sheet of plastic craft mesh. The mesh
is secured with screws.
- Another suggestion is to place each piece in a small snack-sized zip-baggie.
-
One more option for preventing tangles is to insert one end of a chain
style necklace into a drinking straw and attach clasp; hang it on a
hook.
Peggi McDonald is the author of the eBook RV Packing Tips, Life Lessons & Easy Living Tips.
2006 Campground Directories and other new RV guides
From Trailer Life, Woodalls and other publishers. Check 'em out.
State Park of the Week
Oliver Lee State Park, Alamogordo, N.M.
Located
10 miles south of Alamogordo, at the base of the Sacramento Mountains,
this park has a commanding view of the entire Tularosa Basin. That vast
snow field off to the west are the dunes of White Sands National
Monument, a great place to spend a day. Other attractions in the area
include the International Space Museum and Hall of Fame in town and the
Lodge Resort in Cloudcroft, high in the mountains. The park is situated
on the ranchlands of its namesake, a New Mexico cattle baron of the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. Mr. Lee was quite a colorful
character. Accused of murder, he survived a shootout with Pat Garrett,
the lawman that took down Billy the Kid. Lee later surrendered, was
tried and acquitted of the charges. Trails within the park include a
rigorous hike into Dog Canyon. RV sites can accommodate rigs of all
sizes. All have water, tables and firepits, some have ramadas. Base fee
$10, $14 for electrical hookup.
Cell phone won't work in out-of-the-way places? Smoothtalker can help. Talk or get online in places you could never get online before. Learn more.
Halls o' Fame
We featured the Cowgirls Hall of Fame a few weeks ago. This week it's the boys' turn. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
in Oklahoma City includes three separate Halls of Fame: Great Western
Performers, Great Westerners, and Rodeo Inductees. Honorees such as
Louis L'Amour, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, James Stewart, Tom Selleck,
John Ford, and Jack Palance are among many others. Films, music and
fiction are also honored. The museum comprises 16 galleries exhibiting
art and artifacts from the many facets of western history. Museum hours
are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8.50, $7 for seniors. Info
(405) 478-2250 or here.
NEED AN RV LOAN?
Learn if you qualify in only seconds
Financial Underwriters Network (F.U.N.) provides exceptional service and low loan rates. Learn if you qualify.
RV Factory Tours
Space Craft Mfg.
is a custom builder of fifth wheel, travel and semi trailers and
specialty RV units. They encourage factory tours which are given Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The factory is located in Concordia,
Mo., just 60 miles East of Kansas City on I-70. Call (888) 463-7520 or
visit.
2006 Traveler's Guide to the FIREARM LAWS of the 50 States
Don't
carry a weapon across state lines without knowing the laws. What's
legal in one state may be a felony in another. Explains the specific
gun laws of every U.S. state. Many changes since last year. Still only
$12.95. Learn more or order.
Little-known National Treasures
National Parks, National Monuments and other Federally operated places
Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah
This
park preserves over two thousand natural sandstone arches, including
the world-famous Delicate Arch. The extraordinary features of the park,
including balanced rocks and pinnacles, are highlighted by a striking
environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures. Arches
contains a wealth of hiking trails providing access to outstanding
viewpoints and many of the park's famous features. The Devils Garden
Campground is open year-round. Facilities include water, tables,
grills, pit-style and flush toilets. Some sites will accommodate RVs up
to 30 feet long. (435) 719-2299.
DVD tells what it's like to be a full-time RVer
Anyone who is thinking of traveling full-time with an RV will have his or her questions answered in this wonderful 90-minute DVD. Interviews with dozens of full-timers as well as experts on the lifestyle. Learn more or order.
Tourist Railroads
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
traverses fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges of
the spectacular landscape of western North Carolina. Choose from a
variety of round trip excursions departing from depots in Dillsboro and
Bryson City. Enjoy a romantic evening aboard the Gourmet Dinner Train
departing every Saturday evening or an entertaining and suspenseful
performance aboard the Mystery Theatre Dinner Train departing on select
Friday evenings. Bryson City is one hour west of Asheville, adjacent to
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Call (800) 872-4681 or visit.
Buying an RV? Get online prices from dealers in your area & SAVE!
In
less than 60 seconds, request quotes on new or used RVs from up to
three dealers in your area. Compare quotes to find your best deal! No
charge, no obligation. Learn more or get quotes.
Fulltimer Tip from Russ De Maris
Take your indoors outdoors.
Many RVers find they can make up for the lack of interior space in
their RV by taking advantage of space outside the rig. A surprising
number of fulltimers take advantage of "add-on" rooms of various
designs. Some add an "Arizona room" to their awning by enclosing the
space under their rolled out awning. Read more in the latest edition of
FulltimeRVer Newsletter.
"HOW TO BUY AN RV" from the Better Business Bureau
New
50-minute DVD from the BBB explains how to buy an RV. Learn how to get
the best deal, the best rig (for you) and how to avoid classic buying
mistakes. Hosted by RV Travel editor Chuck Woodbury. Introductory price: $19.95. Available in DVD and VHS.
 |
| Vanishing Texas River Cruise |
Day Cruises
Vanishing Texas River Cruise
at Canyon of the Eagles, Burnet County, Texas
Take
a tour of Lake Buchanan and the (Texas) Colorado River on the General
Johnson or the Texas Eagle II. They bill their cruise as the "Premier
Ecological Tour of Texas." Two and a half hour tours run daily.
Seasonal cruises include the Bald Eagle Cruise, Vineyard and Wildflower
Cruise, Sunset Dinner Cruise, Scenic Wilderness Cruise, and Waterfall
and Winery Cruise. Stay at nearby Hi-Line Lake Resort and the cruise
will pick you up at the lakefront dock. Full hookups are $20 or $25 for
waterfront sites. Lake Buchanan is 65 miles northwest of Austin.
Vanishing Texas River Cruise (512) 756-6986; Hi-Line Lake Resort (325)
379-1065.
Casino Camping: 2006 Guide to RV-Friendly Campgrounds
JUST PUBLISHED! This
is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks
or offer free overnight stays. Plus information about other casino
benefits and freebies for RVers. Learn more or order
RVing with Pets by Christy Powers
"Microchip" your pet for peace of mind
Losing
a pet while on the road is unbelievably traumatic. To help ensure you
find a lost pet make sure it has a license, rabies tags and a
microchip. A microchip cannot be lost or altered. The database that
backs up the microchip is your best insurance for reuniting you with
your pet. Read more.
Does your pet have a microchip? Answer our five-second survey.
A resource book: Camping and RVing with Dogs
Gleanings from the Forum
This week's Forum question: Is a seat belt required for all passengers onboard an RV? Follow the discussion or add your comments here.
Do you drive a really BIG RV?
RVers
with big rigs will love the 2006 Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road
Atlas. Designed for truckers, this atlas shows where to travel to avoid
low overpasses and narrow roads where a big RV could get into trouble. Learn more or order.
Big Rig RV Park
If you drive a coach 34 feet or longer, you just can't squeeze into any ol' RV park. Here from the 2006 Big Rigs Best Bets Campground Directory is one park that loves super-sized rigs:
BOOMTOWN HOTEL & CASINO RV PARK, Verdi, Nevada
This
modern RV park is a stone's throw from the casino and hotel, and
located just off I-80 a few minutes drive west of Reno. Free shuttles
run back and forth to the casino, so save your walking shoes for
another day. The park's roads are wide and paved with paved sites in
the 55-foot range with extra space for a tow. Amenities include cable
TV, WiFi and swimming pool. Oh, yes, the casino has three restaurants
and a popular buffet to satisfy hefty appetites. (877) 626-6686.
Fractional RV Ownership
CoachShare
is a better way to own a luxury motorcoach! Do you dream of owning a
luxurious motorcoach, but don't want the year-round expense and hassles
of private ownership? Why not "share" a luxury coach with CoachShare?
Pay only for the time you need and save up to 80 percent over full-time
ownership. Learn more.
RV Website of the Week
Joel and Louise Goodman of Seattle, Wash., have just completed a two-year RV odyssey across Europe. Their weblog "Goodman's Journey - Camping Europe in a VW Van" puts you in the passenger seat while they explore the length and breadth of the "old world." Join them here.
Books and DVDs about repairing and maintaining an RV
See the big selection of titles at RVbookstore.com
Tech Tips from Chris Dougherty
The back (external) of your RV refrigerator should be inspected,
and occasionally vacuumed out to rid the space of debris and webs.
Often the metal parts, including the cooling unit and the burn chamber,
will attract moisture, and therefore rust. Cooling unit failure is
often the result of rust. Severe rust should be examined by a qualified
technician. If, on a newer unit, you start to see rust forming, it
might be worthwhile touching up the paint on the cooling unit, using a
paint recommended by the refrigerator manufacturer. Considering how
much an RV refrigerator costs, a little extra care for the one you have
will pay off in the long run!
Visit RVtechTips.com for more suggestions on RV technical issues.
Mail Forwarding Service
"Accuracy & Punctuality" - receive your U.S. mail while traveling...$12.00 monthly. Learn more...
Upcoming RV Shows
March 11-19, Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show, Cleveland, OH
March 16-19, Ultimate Sport & RV Show, Grand Rapids, MI
March 16-19, RV Dealer Associations RV SuperShow, Oklahoma City, OK
March 16-19, Manitoba RV Show & Sale, Winnipeg, MB (CANADA)
March 17-19, Massachusetts RV & Camping Show, Foxborough, MA
March 17-19, Augusta Camper & RV Show, Augusta, ME
March 17-21, Toronto Sportsmen's Show, Toronto, ON (CANADA)
March 17-19, Acadiana RV & Camping Show, Lafayette, LA
March 18-19, Sports, Vacation & Boat Show, Ft Wayne, IN
Quote of the week
"I never take my own side in a quarrel." -- Robert Frost
RV Travel staff
Editor: Jerry (RiverGuy) Brown, Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributors: Christy Powers, Chris Dougherty, Mark Polk, Bill and Dot Bell. Forum Administrator: Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Web Operations Director: Zoey Platt. Warehouse Administrator: Walter Cardwell. Phone Orders Supervisor: Martha Lamb. Clapper Loader: Emily Woodbury. Mascot: Georgie, the "give me food now or else!" Jack Russell terrier.
RV Travel is copyright 2006 by RVbookstore.com. Our International Headquarters: RVbookstore.com, 170 W. Dayton Street, Suite 103, Edmonds WA 98020, USA
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