Issue 210
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 where the service is faster than Superman!
An alert for this issue was emailed to more than 100,000 RVers. . . plus you!
This newsletter is posted early every Sunday morning.
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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! Plus: Extensive directory of WiFi parks.
The editors of the 2006 Big Rigs Best Bets Campground Directory have
visited every campground in their best-selling directory. Learn more or order.
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK |
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| Good name for an eye doctor! |
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Editor's Corner
By Chuck Woodbury
Last month while attending
the Seattle RV show I met an RV industry veteran who told me a
horrifying story. We were discussing the poor quality of some RVs. I
told him I was disappointed with what I had seen on many low-price, entry
level RVs. "Let me show you what I mean," I said, and I led him into an
inexpensive fifth wheel trailer. "Press against this wall," I said, and
he put his hand on the interior wall. The wall pushed in: the paneling
was about a quarter inch thick. "Sit on the bed," I said. He sat. "It's
like a box spring without a mattress, right?" He nodded.
But, really, I wasn't
telling him anything he didn't already know. He had spent most of his
professional life in the RV business -- first as a manufacturer, later
in sales. In between, he had worn about every hat. He was fully aware
of how RVs are manufacturered -- some with great care, others as fast
and cheaply as possible. I asked him, "What would you advise an RV
buyer about where to begin to check an RV's quality? What's the first
thing a person should inspect?"
His answer caught me by
surprise. It would never be the first thing I would check. He said,
"I'd tell them to start from the ground up -- with the tires." The tires?
Tires are far from created
equal, he said. And that's when he dropped a bombshell. "I know of one
trailer manufacturer that buys its tires from China for $8 apiece. In
my opinion, anyone who tows a vehicle with those tires is jeopardizing
the safety of himself and his family."
Later, as I walked through
the show, I paid attention to tires. Most brands were familiar, but
some I'd never heard of. Most looked great, often with the aid of a
fresh coating of black tire paint.
My RV-veteran friend didn't
name the company that imported the cheap tires, nor the brand name. I
didn't ask. It's been a long time since I bought a new RV. Would I
"kick the tires" early on in my inspection of a new RV, especially if
it were an unfamiliar make? I don't know. But I can tell you, it
wouldn't be the first thing I'd do.
Perhaps the practice of putting cheap tires on RVs is rare. I'd like to believe that's true, and my guess is that it is.
Whatever the case, the
message I'd like to leave with you today is that everything on an RV
that you plan to buy is worth inspecting carefully. I believe my friend
had an excellent point -- starting with the tires should be the very
first thing. Could it be that if the tires are a respected brand name,
we can assume that the manufacturer doesn't take other shortcuts where
it's important to safety? That would make sense to me.
What about you? When buying a new RV, would inspecting the quality of tires be a high priority? Please take five seconds to let me know, and learn how other RV Travel readers respond.
BY THE WAY. . . the winner of today's (Sunday's) 11 a.m. (PST) Knowledge Quiz will pocket $100 cash!
Do you have a comment about this essay? Leave it at the RV Travel Forum.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you missed last Thursday's mid-week RV Travel newsletter, read it here.
The Pot of Gold Zip Code contest prize is now $138. Check at RVbookstore.com
between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Pacific time). You could win the cash by
simply living in the day's Zip Code! The pot grows larger every weekday
until we have our next winner! Last week's randomly selected codes: 45634,
12174, 85629, 94581, 07017. If your official residence is in one of
these Zips and had told us so, you would have pocketed the day's cash!
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.
Visit the RV Travel Reader Forum to discuss everything to do with RVing with other RVers.
Learn about more than 1,040 free or inexpensive places to stay in your RV at FreeCampgrounds.com
"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.
This Week's Reader Survey
How much money would someone have to give you to give up RVing? Answer here.
Last week's survey question:
Would you prefer to camp by the ocean or by a lake or river/stream?
Read how more than 1,600 readers responded.
Survey results from the Midweek RV Travel:
For men: How much hair do you have on top? Read the results here.
Past reader surveys and results
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.
SUNDAY KNOWLEDGE QUIZ
Three quizzes today!
Win $100 cash! Answer based on information in this issue of RVtravel.com.
Look for a pop quiz or two with terrific prizes many weeks at RVbookstore.com.
Sign up to receive an email alert of quiz start times.
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.
Billings, Mont., struggles over free RV overnight parking issue
The
City Council of Billings, Mont., has tentatively reached a compromise
on free overnight RV parking that many in the community feel is
unrealistic. Monday, March 13, the council is set to approve allowing
RVers up to six hours of free parking in city parking lots. Until late
last year, Billings had permitted RVers to stay overnight. But when the
police began evicting them, and the RV community got word, the city
council was flooded with angry emails, leaving the city scared it would
lose the business of countless RVers. Its solution: let RVers "camp"
for up to six hours. But many locals say 12 hours is more realistic. Read more and voice your opinion.
. . . meanwhile, just nine miles west of Billings, a town asks a new Wal-Mart to "Please allow RVers to stay at your store." Read all about it. . .
Laughlin, Nev., casinos get go-ahead to host RV boondockers
The
Clark County (Nevada) Health District has reached a compromise with
Laughlin area casinos and government officials, agreeing to recommend
up to a 120-day moratorium of its recent order that casinos order all
RVs to leave their parking lots. In a press release, the district said
that after a meeting with casino owners and representatives from
partner agencies, the health district will make the recommendation to
the State Board of Health at its next meeting on March 23. The district
issued "cease and desist" letters Jan. 6 to casino properties who
allowed dry RV camping in their overflow lots. Seasonal visitors were
outraged and spoke out about the district's decision. Several meetings,
correspondence, phone calls and letters to the editor in local
newspapers forced the issue to remain a priority for the health
district since the original order. (SOURCE: Mohave Valley News)
Historic Highways
Will return next week.
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
RV Boondocking Tips
By Russ and Tina De Maris
Solar Oven great in some climates
If
your boondocking takes you to sunny climates, consider purchasing a
solar oven. Put your meal in the oven in the morning, then carry out
your daily activities. By supper time your "solar slow cooker" will
have your meal ready to eat, with no power or propane expense.
Russ and Tina De Maris are authors of RV Boondocking Basics and Boondocking Tips for RVers: More Fun Without Hookups
Books and videos about Boondocking
DVD: Great American Scenic Railroads
Catch
an unforgettable glimpse into America’s storied past as you ride the
rails on these rolling museums of steam and steel. More than twelve
hours of rail riding adventure on six discs. Only $29.99. Learn more or order.
ABCs of RVing:
For absolute beginners and RV novices only.
QUESTION: I want to buy an RV but I have no place to store it. What should I do? ANSWER: Wow!
This is getting to be a big problem for more RVers all the time. Every
week, another community bans RVs from streets in front of a house or
even the front driveway. Of course, some people live in apartments or
condos and don't have room to begin with. A common solution is paying
to keep it at an RV storage lot. Sometimes these are "RV only" places,
other times they are on the property of storage locker businesses. If
no such business exists near you, perhaps a friend will let you keep it
on his or her property. Offer to pay if necesssary. You might also
check local classifieds, or even place a free "I need a place to store
an RV" advertisement on Craigslist.com. Some people end up buying a
camper van -- Class B motorhomes -- which can often fit in a normal
garage. Good luck.
For RV Travel readers: Where do you store your RV? Take our five second survey.
2006 Mapquest RV & Campsites Guide & Atlas
Finally, a road atlas especially for RVers! This 2006 Mapquest Road Atlas and Campground Directory is outstanding! Complete with U.S. state and Canadian province road maps, color photos and 3,700 campground listings. Read more or order,
Roadside History
Far West Route 99 -- still alive and kicking
Before
Interstate 5 was opened in the far West, connecting the Mexico and
Canada borders, there was U.S. 99. The road is still 99, but it's a
series of state routes now in California, Oregon and Washington. You
can drive almost all the original route, and there's a lot of "eye
candy" left to see along the way. Old motels, cafes and fast food
joints from yesteryear still exist, many with their umpteeth owners
since the road's heyday. In California's San Joaquin Valley, keep your
eyes open for a Big Orange stand where you can still order a burger. In
Oregon, don't miss Art Lacey's gas station (no longer pumping gas),
with the B-17 bomber mounted high above. Stop by to hear the amazing
story of how Lacey flew it to Portland even though he had practically
no experience as a pilot. In Washington, the road passes through
Seattle, providing one of its best skyline views. North of town, motels
from yesteryear are still very much in evidence. Pick one for the night
(that might take some bravery in some "rougher" locations). RVs will
have no problems negotiating any of today's 99 route.
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.
New Additions to FreeCampgrounds.com
Free or inexpensive places to camp with your RV.
Banks Lowman Highway: Boise, Idaho
Various
free boondocking sites along the Banks Lowman Highway between Highway
55 and Highway 21. Areas to camp are marked from the highway, with some
overlooking the south fork of the Payette River. Far enough off the
highway to muffle most of the road noise. Popular spot when passing
through and with locals. Good fishing area. Free.
Arcadia Beach: Cannon Beach, Oregon
Three miles
south of Cannon Beach, just a few feet from the ocean on Highway
1. Stop after a day of shopping in Cannon Beach. Day use only but
a good place to pull over. Free.
Flying J Travel Plaza: Abilene, Texas
Off
I-20 in Abilene. Allows overnight RV parking for its customers. As
usual, this plaza is nice, neat, clean and well staffed. Free.
The information above was provided by visitors to FreeCampgrounds.com. The information has not been verified. Learn about more than 1,040 free and inexpensive campgrounds.
Good Stuff from the Good Sam Club
Join the Club: $19 a year. Save on camping fees plus free RV magazine.
Continuing Service Plan: No More Major Repair Bills! Get a Fast Quote
RV Emergency Road Service. Special Low Rate! Join Today.
Bumper Snicker
"Sure wish my wife was as dirty as my truck is."
Read other funny bumper stickers or buy them.
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 fulltimers as well as experts on the lifestyle. Learn more or order.
Motorhome from new Robin Williams comedy touring the USA
For
the next seven weeks, the eye-catching green and white RV driven by
Robin Williams in the upcoming movie comedy "RV" will tour the U.S.
equipped with a plasma TV screen that will show the trailer and
behind-the-scenes footage from "RV" to visitors who hop aboard. Learn more.
Casino Campground in Mississippi Gulf back in action
Before
Hurricane Katrina, the only casino RV park in the Gulf gaming area had
been located at Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis. After the storm it was
completely covered with two feet of mud. Today, it's open and ready for
RVers. Read more.
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.
Short Stop
Real-Life Mayberry: Mount Airy, North Carolina
Step
back to a simpler time when you visit Mount Airy in north-central North
Carolina. Get a taste of the life depicted in the popular 1960s
Andy Griffith television series. This quiet place is Griffith's
hometown and the inspiration for the show. Tour the town in Barney's
squad car. Cruise on over to Andy's homeplace then ride in Mayberry
style down Main Street past Floyd's Barbershop and Snappy Lunch. Mount
Airy is near the junction of I-77 and I-74 and just a few miles from
the Blue Ridge Parkway. Several nearby state parks offer RV camping, as
does Veterans Memorial Park, right in town.
RVing the Alaska Highway
Join Bob and Judy Howen as they drive the Alaska Highway in their motorhome. See the road through their front window. Visit campgrounds and other RVer attractions.
Bill's Hint
When
brushing your teeth, do not let the water run. Use a small paper cup of
water to wet and rinse your brush. Refill to rinse your mouth. -- From Motorhomes Made Easy
Visit Camping World for RV supplies and accessories
Weird, Wacky and/or Wonderful Festivals
San Francisco Oyster and Beer Festival
The
largest Celtic festival on the West Coast, the San Francisco Oyster and
Beer Festival returns to the Great Meadows at Fort Mason on Saturday
April 1. Admission is free. The event centers around the unique
combination of oysters and stout and is supported by a great cast of
traditional and contemporary live Irish music. Other beverages will
also be available, ranging from beers and wines to Irish coffees. Don’t
miss the suck and shuck competition. Attendees are urged to take public transportation to reach the festivities.
Headed to Mexico with your RV?
Big selection of books and DVDs about RVing south of the border
Tours of the world's largest RV manufacturing plant beginning April 1.
The
Winnebago Industries production facility is conveniently located in
Forest City, Iowa, the RV capital of the world where RV manufacturing
plants are as common as coffeehouses in Seattle. Learn more.
RVers discuss yappin' dogs
The
conversation is lively in the RV Travel Forum on the subject of small
dogs that bark too much. One woman's solution: Put her pint-sized
yapper in a bird cage and cover it with a towel. When the yapper stops
yappin,' he gets outta prison. Read more.
Mystery product from RVbookstore. Dare you look?
Discounted so deeply it might just reach all the way down to China! See why.
Museum of the Week
Belhaven Memorial Museum: Belhaven, North Carolina
This
museum is like no other, the result of Mrs. Eva Blount Way's penchant
for collecting buttons. When she died in 1962 at age 93, Mrs. Way had
amassed some 30,000 buttons in addition to a fascinating array of
memorabilia. Among the collection are period clothing, toys and dolls,
china, farm tools and some truly "odds" and ends like a dried flea
wedding (visible through a magnifying glass), a two-headed kitten,
one-eyed fetal pig and a hare-lipped dog. The museum, now housed in
Belhaven's Town Hall, continues to build on her collection. For
information: (252) 943-6817.
SECRET RV SENTENCE: Pink underwear looks odd on zebras.
DVDs show how to operate your motorhome or trailer
Learn, step-by-step, how to use every system,how to set up, how to drive or pull your RV and more. Class A motorhome • Class C motorhome • Travel Trailer/Fifth Wheel • Pop Up Trailer
Trivia
Thanks to a Thomas Edison recording in 1889, Robert Browning was the first person to have his voice heard after death.
On the recording, he reads his poem "How They Brought the Good News
from Ghent to Aix," and apologizes when he forgets the words. It was
first played in 1890 in Venice on the anniversary of his death.
Beautiful Northwest Campgrounds
Eight
beautiful resort locations in Washington's favorite camping region.
Truly great Northwestern getaways with all of the comforts of home. Learn more.
This issue's
Knowledge Quiz
Three QUIZZES TODAY
with fabulous prizes!
The prizes:
-- How will you spend $100 cash? That's our featured prize today!
ALSO:
-- A pair of Motorola 22 channel Talkabout Walkie Talkies!
-- The 2006 Woodall's North American Campground Directory.
Answer the Quizzes here on Sunday, March 12 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and Noon., Pacific Time.
Knowledge Quiz official rules
Manage Your RV's 12 Volt System
Learn all about your RVs 12-volt electrical system including how to upgrade and operate it and troubleshoot problems.
Zany Business Slogan of the Week
At an Optometrist's Office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."
Beginners Guide to RVing: Articles and information for brand-new RVers. Learn the ropes.
Truck Stops Want RVers!
2006 RVers Friend
lists every Travel Center in the U.S. and Canada and the services each
provides RVers. Learn which offer overnight stays, dump stations,
Internet access, propane, ATMs, or other services. Learn more or order for only $12.95
DID YOU KNOW?
You
may not feel or hear them, but earthquakes are taking place all over
the world at this very minute, 9,000 per day. Most of these temblors
register only 1-2 on the Richter Scale. On average every year, the
United States Geological Survey reports 18 major earthquakes measuring
between 7.0 and 7.9, and one extremely large earthquake, 8.0 or larger.
New DVD: How to tow a dinghy behind a motorhome
Learn
how to tow a car, SUV or truck behind a motorhome in a brand new
50-minute DVD by RV expert Mark Polk. Released in December, 2005.
Superb! Learn more or order.
Free for the asking
For a free San Francisco Visitor's Kit, go to this website.
Visiting Canada? Check in here for free maps of each province, where to go and what to see.
For a free information packet on RVing Nevada, click here.
RVing on a Shoestring:
Books to help you save money!
RV Tech Topics
Change the look and feel of your RV with lighting
Are
you tired of the look and feel of your RV, but don’t want to fork out
the money for a new one? One of the easiest things you can change in an
RV is the lighting. Today, 12 volt DC RV lighting is readily available
for replacing the existing lighting in your RV -- and often replacing a
light here and there can have a big effect on the RV's look and feel. Read more.
LP gas is portable and safe when handled properly and
it's very efficient, so it only makes sense that it is used in RVs. LP
gas is compressed in a liquid state and stored in containers. Because
of the amount of pressure involved the containers are manufactured
under very stringent codes. There are two basic types of containers,
Department of Transportation (DOT), and American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME). The DOT containers, more commonly called cylinders
are the upright type that you see on Pop Up's, travel trailers, or your
BBQ grill. The ASME cylinders are referred to as tanks and are mounted
horizontally like the type you would see on a motorhome. --- Mark Polk (Learn about Mark Polk's RV "How-to" DVDs and eBooks.)
Get a twice-a-month dose of great RV tech Tips from RV technician Chris Dougherty at RVtechTips.com
Books and DVDs about repairing and maintaining an RV
See the big selection of titles at RVbookstore.com
Geocaching: the newest "outdoor game"
Do you have a GPS receiver? Like to play games, with some real life adventure involved? Then maybe geocaching is for you! Learn more.
EASY RV RECIPES
A classic cookbook for RVers. Only $6.95
Raw information
Henderson, Nev., officials are stepping up patrols of the local Wal-Mart,
evicting overnighting RVers from the parking lot even though the store
has openly encouraged the stays. * * * Fans who want a reserved RV
parking space for the Golden Corral 500 race weekend starting March 17
at Atlanta Motor Speedway need to make a reservation fast. Only a handful of the more than 3,416 spaces are still available. * * * Nearly nine percent of U.S. households headed by those over age 55 now own an RV. * * * RV maker Thor Industries
has launched a second vehicle to provide a mobile testing center for
prostate cancer screening as part of its sponsorship of the Drive
Against Prostate Cancer (DAPC) program. Approximately 40,000 men have
been tested since the program’s inception in 2000. About 7 percent
showed symptoms of the disease. * * * The 126-site South Campground at Zion National Park
opened last Friday on a first-come, first-served basis. * * * More than
$5 million in additions and major renovations are coming to three of Broward County, Florida’s largest parks -- Brian Piccolo, C.B. Smith and Markham Park. * * * Except for its Safari Trek, Monaco Coach Corporation has outfitted all of its 2006 Class A motorhomes with one-piece windshields. * * * Helped by sales of trailers for FEMA, Fleetwood Enterprises Inc.
reported a profitable third quarter on a 15 percent increase in
revenue. * * * General Motors Corp. said Friday it is recalling about
900,000, 1999-2000 models of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks to fix tailgate cables that can corrode and break when loads are placed on them. * * *
Yellowstone National Park's bears think spring is just around the corner and it's
time to wake up and find some food. The first bear sighting of the year
occurred Monday.
RVing Resources. . .
Visit the RV Travel Reader Forum to discuss
everything to do with RVing with other RVers.
Archives of early issues of RV Travel
Upcoming RV Shows
RV-Links
Loads of links to great websites about RVing
Life On Wheels
"Go to school" to learn about RVing. Five annual conferences.
Next one: Tucson, Arizona, March 14 - 17.
RVing to Mexico
Dot and Bill Bell are experts about RVing in Mexico. Read their columns.
Investigate a company
with the Better Business Bureau before making a purchase.
Headed to Canada?
See entry regulations.
RV Travel Readers' Forum
Exchange ideas and information with other RVers.
Full Time RVing
RV Recalls
Workamping Information: Workamper News is THE best place to find jobs on the RV road.
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.
Worth Pondering
"Treat your friends as you do your pictures, and place them in their best light." -- Jennie Jerome Churchill
Products for $9.99 or less at RV Bookstore. Check them out.
Random RV Thought
Before
you pull into a rural campground, be sure to drive about a quarter mile
beyond the entrance. There might be a really great little cafe there or
a general store or something else within walking distance of your
campsite. If you just pull into the campground without taking this
short excursion, you will likely never know anything is there until you
leave, at which time you will say, "Gee, I wish I had known about that."
New Arrivals at RVbookstore.com
Wow! There are always lots of new books and DVDs at the world's largest RV bookstore. Check them out.
Everything
in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we
occasionally get something wrong. We're just human! So don't go
spending $10,000 on something we said was good just because we said so,
or fixing something like we suggested (check with your own technician
first). Maybe we made a mistake. So be sure to check things out.
RV Travel is rated PG* by the Rural Electrical Technicians College Hospital (RETCH)
Of all the websites known to man (and woman), only approximately 1.07 percent are more popular than RVtravel.com.
RVbookstore.com/RVtravel.com
are members of the Better Business Bureau. We strive for excellence in
all we do and that's the absolutely, 100 percent and honest truth. Our
customers receive really, really fast service. We move so fast in
sending out a customer's order that sometimes we move too fast to even
see. Our motto is "You need it so we speed it," and no truer words were
ever spoken!
RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Contributors: Russ and Tiña De Maris, Chris Dougherty, Mark Polk, Jerry (RiverGuy) Brown, Bill and Dot Bell. Forum Administrator: Adrienne Kristine. Office Manager: Jody Allcott. Web Operations Director: Zoey Platt. Warehouse Administrator: Walter Cardwell. Phone Operations Supervisor: Martha Lamb. Clapper Loader: Emily Woodbury. Mascot: Georgie, the "give me food now or else!" Jack Russell terrier.
We are proud commercial members of the Escapees, the Family Motor Coaching Association, and a sponsor of the 2006 Life On Wheels Conferences.
RV Travel is copyright 2006 by RVbookstore.com.
Our International Headquarters: RVbookstore.com, 170 W. Dayton Street,
Suite 103, Edmonds WA 98020, USA, Earth, Milky Way, Known Universe,
Unknown Universe.
*Pretty good
