In This Issue:
What's New With Us: Itchy Wheels
Brief Article: RV Show Time
Vicki's Favorite Recipes: Italian Pasta Salad
RVing Tip: RV Storage Tip
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Going to Alaska next year? Read the article "Alaska! The Ultimate RV Adventure" and check out our DVD "RVing Alaska: What to Expect, How to Prepare" and our E-book "RVing Alaska, Insights and Observations" View our Alaska Journey Blogs - September 5 and 8, 2007.
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What's New With Us
As Extended RV Travelers we normally go out on the road for three to four months, return home for a couple of months, and then hit the road again for another few months.
This year has been different. We traveled to the east coast to present seminars at RV shows during the months of January, February and March. Then we returned home during the first week of April. Family circumstances resulted in the cancellation of our summer travel plans (see RV Notebook post July 9). With the exception of a five-day journey to Oregon, we have been house-locked for almost six months. Talk about having a case of "itchy wheels"!!!
So we are looking forward to our 400-mile journey to Sacramento at the end of this month. We will be "camping" in a parking lot adjacent to the Sacramento RV Show while we present seminars there.
We are scheduled to present our "10 Tips For Choosing An RV" seminar at 12 noon and our "ExtendedRV Travel" seminar at 3:00 pm every day of the show. Come see us.
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RV Show Time
Have you been to an RV show lately? RV shows are the dealers' way of going to the customer, displaying their products and, hopefully, making lots of sales.
A real RV show is one that has a half dozen or more RV dealers exhibiting a large variety of RVs in one convenient location. Obviously, the more dealers participating in the show the larger the number of RVs you’ll find on display.
Attending an RV show is a dynamite way to comparison shop for an RV. It gives you the opportunity to check out an assortment of trailers, motorhomes, campers and van conversions in one convenient location.
This is where casual lookers can view the new models and investigate the latest innovations. This is also where serious shoppers can zero in on the type, size and price bracket of the RV they want. They can then compare the floorplans, features and prices of similar rigs.
And, when they decide to buy, they are likely to discover that "special" show prices and deals are not uncommon when competing RV dealers are in close proximity to one another.
A big RV show will also include display booths with vendors of RV related products and services. Campgrounds and RV parks hand out literature and discount coupons inviting RVers to spend time in their facilities. Insurance agents offer free RV insurance quotes. Sellers of cleaning and polishing products give away free samples.
The vendor booth area is where you are likely to find sewer hoses, water filters, electric hookup extension cords, roof air conditioners, portable fire pits and every other common and uncommon RV gadget and gizmo. This is where the "pitch" people demonstrate their wares. You can watch them cook a meal, mop floors, peel potatoes, clean jewelry and perform any number of entertaining presentations that will convince you to buy their "must have" products.
Many RVers, content with their present RV, consider the vendor booths the reason to attend an RV show. Clever show producers recognize that, after viewing the vendor area, these RVers frequently move on to the RV displays where a good number of them end up buying a new rig.
RV show producers also recognize the growing popularity of RVs with young families. To draw them in, many shows offer clowns, mimes, magicians, strolling musicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, and other forms of entertainment. RV shows, after all, have to compete with other events for the attention of the consumer.
And, of course, a really great RV show will feature RV seminars by folks like Joe and Vicki Kieva. Our seminars provide tips on choosing, using and enjoying an RV.
Finding an RV show is not difficult. Most occur during the months of January, February and March and again during September and October. The bigger shows will advertise on local radio and television stations.
Many RV shows have their own web sites. It is not unusual for these web sites to have discount coupons you can download, print and present for a reduced admission price.
You will also find their ads in RV magazines and your local newspaper. Pay close attention; the print ads frequently double as discount coupons for admission. See if the ad offers reduced admission prices to seniors or RV club members who are willing to attend the show on weekdays. By the way, we have observed that RV shows are less crowded on weekdays and early in the day on weekends.
Take your time. Look at the RVs. Ask questions. Pick up brochures. Make notes. Keep in mind the show producer, dealers and vendors have gone to a great deal of trouble to put the show together. The least you can do is buy an RV.
If you are planning on attending an RV show, read our article "How To Enjoy An RV Show"
Joe and Vicki will be presenting their "how-to" RV seminars at:
The Sacramento RV Show in Sacramento, CA - September 25 - 28, 2008
The California RV Show in Pomona, CA - October 10 - 19, 2008
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Vicki's Favorite Recipes (From My RV Kitchen and Favorite Recipes)
Italian Pasta Salad
This salad always makes a hit, especially at potlucks or other large get togethers. It is colorful and tastes delicious.
1 pkg. (16 oz.) tube pasta (rotelle or penne)
1 chub (8 oz.) Gallo Salame, skinned and cubed
2 green onions, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 can (2.2 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, cut into small chunks
1-3/4 cup bottled or homemade Italian dressing
1. Cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and let cool.
2. Place pasta in a large bowl with all remaining salad
ingredients.
3. Pour dressing over salad and stir well to combine.
4. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight,
stirring several times.
Makes 8 to 10 side-dish servings.
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RVing Tip: (From RVing Tips, Tricks & Techniques)
Spread a half-dozen fabric softener sheets throughout the interior of your RV before putting it in storage. Your rig will have a fresh aroma when you open it up again.
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Next Issue, October 15, 2008: To Keep or Not To Keep
Return to RV Know How
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