August 1, 2008 Issue

In This Issue:

What's New With Us : Earthquake!
Brief Article: Cleaning Off Bugs
Vicki's Recipes: Hot Crab Spread
RVing Tip: Water Hose Connection


What's New With Us

We had an earthquake a couple of days ago. The news people made it sound like a big deal - but then, that's their job. If they didn't sensationalize everything, it wouldn't seem important, and there would not be any reason to pay attention to their news program.

The epicenter (or ground zero) was 25 miles east of our house and seven miles below the surface (considered shallow for an earthquake). It registered 5.4 on the Richter scale and was felt as far as Las Vegas, Nevada - 300 miles away. 5.4 is considered a mild shaker. It caused a few incidents of minor structural damage , some broken windows and, of course, a lot of stuff fell off store shelves throughout the quake zone. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

I was upstairs when it hit. The house shook and swayed for about 15 to 20 seconds and then it was over. Enough to be exciting and knock our pictures askew, but not enough to cause serious damage.

We are told to seek shelter under a table or desk when an earthquake hits. The danger is from falling objects like light fixtures or ceiling tiles. I was at my desk when the earth started to move but by the time I realized it was an earthquake and thought about getting under my desk, it was over. That's been my experience with most of our earthquakes.

In our travels, people have asked how we can live in a place that has earthquakes.

California is earthquake country. It experiences a multiple of earthquakes every day. We just don't feel most of them. They have to get as high as 3.5 on the Richter scale before anybody really notices them. A 4 on the scale does little if any damage and gives us something to talk about. But it has to get to a 5 before any damage (usually mild) occurs. And it has been a number of years since the Los Angeles area experienced an earthquake of that magnitude. Earthquakes don't terrorize you before they strike and when they occur, they are over quickly. Compared to the devastation caused by tornadoes and hurricanes, I'll take earthquakes.

By the way, one time we were camped in our motorhome when a 5-plus shaker hit the campground. The motorhome's suspension absorbed most of the shockwaves; just like it does when we are driving on a highwy. We rocked and rolled a little bit - it wasn't even exciting.

===========================================

Cleaning Off Bugs

Dear Joe and Vicki: Nobody told me about the millions of suicidal bugs that would attack the front of my RV. Do you have any tips for dealing with this nuisance? And how do RVers wash their motorhomes and trailers when they are on the road for long periods of time? The campgrounds I have stayed in have rules against washing RVs in the campsites.

Joe: At the end of each driving day I use a boat brush on a telescoping handle and half a bucket of plain cold water to wipe (notice, I didn't say wash) the bug remains off the windshield and front wall of our motorhome. The carcasses seem to come off easier when they are removed on the day of impact.

Most campgrounds, citing environmental regulations, drainage concerns, or water shortages, prohibit washing RVs in their campgrounds. There are some, however, that do allow their patrons to wash their rigs, either in individual campsites or a "wash rack" area. A few even provide a vacuum cleaner. We make a note of these RV parks and return to them whenever we are in the area.

Sometimes, the operators of the campgrounds that prohibit washing of RVs may be able to direct you to a local do-it-yourself car wash that can accommodate an RV. Wouldn't it be nice if they included that information along with the printed rule prohibiting washing of rigs in their campgrounds. Occasionally, you'll see these car washes advertised in the campground's site map.

Vicki: Before taking our RV to one of these car washes we use our car to check it out. We want to be sure our rig can maneuver into and out of the wash bay. The RV usually gets washed the next morning after we check out of the campground and before we resume our travels. It's not unusual for us to end up paying for two car washes in order to completely wash our motorhome.

Speaking of the campground site maps … we have seen ads in them by professional RV wash crews who will come to your campsite. Typically, they use a high-pressure water hose that does a long-lasting job. Interestingly, some of the campgrounds that prohibit their patrons from washing RVs in their campsites will allow a professional wash crew to do the job. Go figure. The wash crews have charged us between $1.00 and $1.50 a foot and, so far, have always done an excellent job.

Commercial truck washes can be found along the interstates, frequently in the neighborhood of a truck stop (or travel plaza as they are now called). Most, if not all, will wash RVs. We make a habit of asking before getting into line. Typically, they use high pressure hoses along with mops, brushes and detergents. We've paid anywhere from $1.00 to $1.75 per foot to have a commercial truck wash do our motorhome.

Joe is a tightwad. He prefers to wash our motorhome himself (he lets me help). But, every now and then he treats himself and lets the professionals do the job.

============================================

Vicki's Recipes (from My RV Kitchen and Favorite Recipes)

Hot Crab Spread
(Quick and Easy)

Our friend, Jodie, fixed this appetizer while we were in Alaska together. It was so good that I ended up making it my entire meal.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated, divided
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 pkg. (12 oz.) imitation crab
Crackers of your choice

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
3. Add onion and crab to the cream cheese mixture.
4. Top with remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
5. Bake 30-45 minutes or until heated through.
6. Spread on crackers (I prefer Ritz).

Makes about 2 cups.

=================================================

RVing Tip:

Attaching a water hose to a campground faucet will be easier if you put a quick-connect fitting on the outlet end of your water-pressure regulator. Screw the easier-to-handle, water regulator onto the campground faucet, then quick-connect your hose to the regulator.

==============================================

Next Issue (August 15): Toilet Tissue Test

Return To RV Know How

================================================

July 15, 2008 Issue

In This Issue:

What's New With Us: Still at Home
Brief Article: Cooped Up
Vicki's Recipes: Bacon and Tortillas
RVing Tip: Saving Quarters


What's New With Us

Vicki's father's medical condition turned out to be more serious than first thought and will require surgery. We don't anticipate going out on the road again until late September.

====================================

Cooped Up

Dear Joe and Vicki: My husband is retiring in a few months and we plan to spend several months of the year traveling in our RV. One thing bothers me. I don't know how well we'll do being cooped up together for long periods of time. How do you do it?

Joe: We urge people, before they start full-timing or traveling for long periods of time, to take more and more trips together of longer and longer duration. Find out ahead of time if you both share the same approach to RV travel. He may want to drive for 8 or 10 hours a day, not wanting to stop for so much as a potty break. She may want to stop at every factory outlet or shopping mall along the way. He may enjoy camping in primitive settings. She may prefer RV resorts. In order to compromise, each of you will have to adjust your attitude to some degree. Or you may discover there is a limit to how much time you can spend “cooped up” together and you will adjust your trips accordingly.

It helps if the two of you are good friends. But, no matter how much you enjoy each other’s company, you will still feel the need to get away from each other occasionally.

Vicki: When Joe or I feel the need for some "apart" time, one of us will take the car and go wandering for a while. Although, I don't consider myself an avid shopper, I do enjoy browsing through factory outlet malls and Wal-Mart stores.

Joe is a real history buff. He enjoys roaming around small museums and just about any place that is of a historical nature.

A big asset is an RV with a bedroom that can be closed off from the rest of the living area, preferably with its own TV. That way, if you want to be alone for awhile or watch different TV programs you can do so.

Joe, especially when he's watching TV, has the ability to completely tune me out. That's his way of getting away from me. On the other hand, all I have to do is stick my nose in a good mystery novel, and I can go into my own world.

I guess the secret to getting along while cooped up in an RV is to avoid being cooped up. Give each other some breathing room and understand the need for alone time.

============================================


Vicki's Recipe (from My RV Kitchen and Favorite Recipes)

Bacon and Tortillas
(Quick and Easy)

Before you make the decision not to try this weird-sounding recipe, give it the opportunity to hook you just like it has us. This is the absolute favorite breakfast food of Joe, our three children and our four grandchildren.

This came about many years ago when we were camping on the beach in Baja with some friends. The guys had all done a lot of fishing the day before and all of our friends were eating leftover fish rolled up in fresh corn tortillas for breakfast. Since Joe doesn't "do" fish, he asked me to fry some bacon for him and roll it up into the corn tortillas. And--a favorite breakfast food was born!

6 slices bacon
6 strips cheddar cheese (about 1" wide x 6" long)
6 corn tortillas

1. Fry the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels.

2. Fry the tortillas, one at a time, on both sides, in very hot bacon grease until they just begin to get crisp.

3. Drain each tortilla by layering it between sheets of paper towels.

4. Put one strip of bacon and one strip of cheese in the middle of each tortilla. Roll up and enjoy.

I always plan on 2-3 of these per person.

====================================


RVing Tip:

RVers need lots of quarters for the washers and dryers in laundromats and campground laundry rooms. Save your quarters in 35 mm film canisters. The cannisters make a convenient, spill-proof container that will hold $7.00 worth of quarters.

=====================================

Next Issue (August 1): Washing Off Bugs


Return To RV Know How

====================================

Back Home Again

Trip Cancelled. We're Home Again!

Here is a photo of our motorhome waiting to be put into storage.

It was Fourth-of-July weekend. We were enroute to the Life on Wheels Conference in Lewiston, ID. Two days and some 800 miles into our journey we received a telephone call informing us that Vicki's 93-year old father had been taken to the hospital. Information was sketchy but sufficient for us to know we had better head for home. The immediate question was whether we should fly or drive. We made a U-turn and a few phone calls later determined that it would not be necessary to fly.

It is a week later and, today, Vicki's dad is being transferred to a skilled nursing center. He has a serious infection in his right leg and foot. The responding paramedics also observed an abnormal heartbeat. Vicki has been busy acting as his patient advocate (strongly suggested for any hospital stay), dealing with all the inquiries from family and friends, and researching skilled nursing facilities. It may take a little time but, barring complications, Vicki's dad should eventually be back on both feet.

This is not the first time we have had to respond to an emergency call from home. Experience has taught us how to plan for these events. Most important of all, our family knows how to reach us. They have our travel itinerary; even if it is a sketchy one. They know approximately where we will be on any given day. They have our cellphone numbers, e-mail address, and telephone numbers of the friends we will visit, places we will be working and, when we know, the RV parks where we will be staying.

We have discovered that campground and RV park operators are especially accommodating when their customers have an emergency situation. On more than one occasion the campground operator has had us park our RV within sight of the office and their residence and only charged us for the electricity our rig used while we were absent.

And, we learned a long time ago that it is a good idea to have at least one piece of carry-on luggage stashed somewhere in our RV (in turn, the luggage usually has a seldom-used item stashed inside it).

We are sorry we missed the opportunity to present seminars at Life on Wheels. Even more sorry that we didn't get to visit with our fellow instructors; many of whom are our best friends. The good news, though, is that the weather here in Huntington Beach, CA remains mild with temps in the mid-70s.

Return to RV Know How


=========================================

July 1, 2008 Post

In This Issue:

What's New With Us: Getting Ready
Brief Article: Extended RV Travel
Vicki's Recipes: Doctored Up Pancakes
RVing Tip: Sewer Hose Fitting


What's New With Us

For the past week we've been getting ready to go the road. The motorhome is parked in front of our house. It has been serviced, washed and cleaned. Our living room has become a staging area. All the stuff we want to load has been stacked on chairs and couches. As items are moved to the motorhome they are crossed off one of our many lists. E-mails have been exchanged with friends we will visit along the way. Tomorrow, at 5 am, we will pull away from the curb. Anything we have forgotten we will either do without or buy another along the way. We're outa here!

The reason for the obscenely early departure time is because, no matter which direction we want to go, we have about 100 miles of cross-town freeway traffic to deal with before we hit an open road. Leaving at 5 am allows us to miss the really heavy commuter traffic.

We have mixed feelings about leaving right now. The weather here in Huntington Beach, California has been beautiful lately; clear sunny skies, daytime temps in the mid-70's and evening temps in the low 60's. We are headed north through the San Joaquin Valley, into central Oregon and then east to Lewiston, Idaho. Temps along most of our route will be in the 90s. Vicki and I are not hot weather people. But we are looking forward to teaching at the Life On Wheels Conference and visiting with our fellow instructors.

We'll keep you posted.
======================================

Extended RV Travel

Have you considered becoming an extended RV traveler?

Most RVers use their rigs for weekend and vacation camping trips. An RV, after all, provides a relatively inexpensive way to temporarily “get away from it all”. You simply put your everyday life on hold, arrange for someone to pick up the newspaper and then take off for a weekend or a couple of weeks. But when you only have a couple of weeks your travels are limited.

Fulltime RVers are those who shed themselves of their “stuff” by selling it, giving it away, or putting it in storage (only to sell and give it away later). Their house is sold or converted into a rental. They move out of their landlocked home and into an RV. Full-time RVers are free to travel wherever and whenever they desire. They are not concerned about going home. They are home. Fulltimers don’t go on a long vacation, they make a complete change in the way they live. Living year-round in an RV, however, is not for everyone.

Most extended RV travelers, and Vicki and I are among them, have come to the conclusion that, while they love traveling for long periods of time in an RV, they still prefer living in a more conventional dwelling.

Extended RV travelers go out on the road for weeks and months at a time. They travel from place to place; touring big cities, exploring the countryside, visiting friends and relatives along the way. Their travels may have themes such as photographing lighthouses, visiting old Spanish missions or retracing historic trails. Their itinerary may include NASCAR races, balloon festivals or the launching of space ships. Some travel coast to coast. Others simply explore one area of the country at a time. Whatever their travel plans, extended RV travelers move at their own pace. They have time. If an area interests them they stay longer, if it does not, they move on. What they don’t see or do on this trip will be accomplished on the next.

It’s not unusual for RVers to succumb to the lure of the open road during their first extended RV trip. They discover that after a few weeks of RV travel their outlook changes. They slow down. They begin to appreciate their surroundings. Suddenly, two and three- week vacations are no longer enough time. Why, it takes that long just to get to the place where the last trip left off. Real avid extended RV travelers may take three or more extended trips a year. They go out on the road for a couple of months, return home for a while and then go back on the road again. Extended RV travel can be addictive.

Obviously, the key to becoming an extended RV traveler is having the time. Most extended RV travelers are retired. Some retire early just to get a head start on their adventures. Others have managed to adjust their working schedule so they can be absent for four to six weeks at a time. And there are those who simply leave their jobs, climb into their RVs and make their dreams come true.

Another necessary ingredient to extended RV travel is money. Campground costs are a daily event. How much you spend depends on the types of campgrounds you stay in and the facilities you use. Fuel expense is proportionate to the distance you travel. Extended RV travelers typically put a lot of miles on their RVs. Admission fees and other expenses also have to be considered. However you budget, extended RV travel is going to cost you money. But you were going to spend it anyway, were’nt you?

If you are a weekend/vacationer do try to take at least one extended RV trip. If you think you want to become a fulltime RVer, before you do, take a couple of extended trips. All it takes is time and money. And the worse thing that can happen is that you, like Vicki and me, might become addicted.

Read about our book: Extended RV Travel

=====================================

Vicki's Recipes:

Doctored Up Pancakes
(Quick and Easy)

It is so easy to make delicious pancakes nowadays. There are a lot of very good pancake mixes on the market. I like to improve on the mix by adding a few ingredients.

2 cups Bisquick
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or bacon drippings (for frying pancakes)

1. Stir all ingredients until blended.

2. Cook on a hot griddle until bubbles form. Turn and cook until golden.

Makes about 14 pancakes
=======================================


RVing Tip:

When adding a sewer-hose fitting or coupler to a sewer hose, dip the end of the hose in hot water first. This will soften the hose and make it wasier to slip in the fitting.

Return to RV Know How

========================================