The Rally at Perry, Georgia

We arrived in Perry about 1:45 yesterday afternoon. The WillCall booth was easy to reach and we got our parking paperwork quickly! A volunteer led us to our area . . . where the first flag should have come up . . . the maps all indicated that Lot 1 was to our right, but those of us with a shamrock sticker were told to go left. In no time, we had rows of trying-to-be-patient new arrivals waiting to be led to our sites. Ours is definitely level, but so narrow that backing in the pickup truck is a bit of a tricky situation. We took it in stride, then headed off to the registration building.

The Rally program says there are shuttles to every lot . . . NOT! Ours not only offers NO shuttle service, but we had to walk 30 minutes to reach the registration building.

Registration was not only s-l-o-w, but there was no place for anyone to sit - and most of us from our lot already had sore backs from the uphill hike. Finally accomplished, we happily spotted a shuttle to 'Lot 1' . . . and ended up back where we boarded - no one told us that our lot was excluded altogether from the shuttle service.

We spoke to a manager who tried to tell us we were parked where we weren't. Then he offered us a refund, or a chance to relocate today . . . when the traffic let up. That still sounded so-so - although it meant missing two seminars. Once we hiked back to our fiver - accompanied by other unhappy campers who had also complained, we realized that we probably could NOT move our unit, as the roadways are too tight.

So, now we were miserable, but decised to go to Wal-Mart - to add to the misery, we also have the only lot with NO security lights, and the only way out of the lot is across a narrow bridge that's hard to find in the dark.

This morning we found out that about 20 others also complained yesterday. Hopefully there will be better shuttle service by tonight - but at least ONE is running closer to our area, and we can live with that for now.

As for the show, it starts in earnest tomorrow - and it looks like it will be a great one overall. Indoor entertainment will be a plus, plus a dance competition that's aiming to break the Guiness Book of Records on Saturday evening.

There will be so many vendors we may never get to them all. And RVs? Wow! Even a great variety of tow haulers. Better leave the checkbook in our rig!

No images to upload yet, we may have to wait til after the show as it's too awkward to bring our laptops up.

On the Road Again

RV Makeover (Winnebago) at Good Sam Rally in Daytona, Florida, 2006



As far as my nomadic lifestyle is concerned, winter is unofficially over. We closed up our house on wheels in the Tampa area yesterday and started northward - only as far as Lake City, Florida for two nights, as we're scheduled to reach Perry, Georgia, tomorrow afternoon for the always-terrific Good Sam Rally. We already have a list of all the seminars which start on Thursday and just have to get the 'feel' of the grounds to determine where everything is located.


For two nights we're enjoying one of our favorite Passport America campgrounds - Oaks n Pines RV Park on I-10 near Lake City. I did forget how close it was to the Interstate, but the sounds of the big rigs and the bikers leaving the huge Daytona Rally simply gets the blood revving up - rather like Canada Geese and Sand Hill Cranes with their semi-annual migrations!


After we set up yesterday, Mike decided to call his son . . . but was unable to find his cell phone. Calling it proved unsuccessful - both our phones easily convert to vibrate at inconvenients times. As we have no need to drive anywhere right now, we're still hooked up to the fifth wheel. We checked with the office - no phone. Mike tried dialling his number one more time - and a gentleman answered - he heard it ringing at the rest area where we had lunch on I-75.


Fortunately, he was heading toward Jacksonville, and had to pass right by the RV Park. He refused to take anything for returning the phone. Whoever you are, Good Samaritan, we both thank you .


Now we can relax today before our hectic weekend - but fun hectic - and two of the ladies I worked with at Camping World near Tampa will also be there to say hello to.

When the Internet is Down, my Camera is Up

There's nothing more infuriating than having restricted internet time. We've been down at WigWam RV Park in Seffner, Florida, for several weeksa now, but there is an upside . . . I'm busy with my camera and creating greeting cards without interruption!

We were only able to get the lunar eclipse images through the full eclipse. Even my camera was able to capture some strong images until the clouds came after it reached its peak. The image on the furthest right was the soft glow of the total eclipse. What a thrill that was to see.

I've also been creating a new line of greeting cards that are getting some favorable comments, incorporating my own images and creative digital scrap booking techniques. Definitely not for the photography purist, but something I'm enjoying as the designs are my own and the possibilities are endless in scope.

One more week in Seffner, and we'll be heading for the huge Good Sam Rally in Perry, Georgia. We went to one in Daytona two years ago and are ready to enjoy another. In the meantime, it's time to start getting our 'house on wheels' ready to roll. Florida is so sandy and messy, but Mike's been having an easy time washing her down so she's bright and shiny for the road.

The inside also needs a good going-through . . . including the closets and collected junk from being in one place awhile. I found a great knife holder on sale at Camping World last week. I have a good one behind the stove, but when the cover's open it isn't easy to reach behind. This one fits tidily on my dish cupboard door and still closes securely. With new steak knives, it was imperative to have a holder easily reachable yet out of harm's way of small grandchildren. For about $5, it's exactly what was needed - hooray!

Last night we went over to Winn-Dixie and discovered their Prestige ice cream brand was featuring Plant City Strawberry Ice Cream. It is SO good, with huge pieces of berries. The Strawberry Festival is in full swing. For $2.79 one can enjoy a HUGE bowl of Strawberry Shortcake. We've been over twice - the second time my daughter was visiting from Michigan and my aunt and uncle drove up from Ft Myers to meet her. (I was adopted at birth and met my birth mother three years ago. Her brother winters in Ft Myers, so I get to visit them when I'm nearby - my half-brother is also in nearby Clearwater, so Becki got to meet three new family members on this visit).

Just as we finished up our wonderful treat, the skies opened up and it poured! It took Becki two days to get here due to snow and ice . . . then she was greeted by heavy storms in a not-so-sunny Florida! Fortunately it didn't last.

New Revelations in a Vista World

How many of you are going through the new Vista problems that I am? Sony has been wonderful in trying to help me as they arise, but it's so aggravating trying to find my way through the new 'doorways'. XP wasn't broke - why did someone have to 'fix' it?

1) System Restore . . . doesn't

2) Be vewy, vewy careful of what you install. A friend insisted I download her iWin JewelQuest program . . . sorry, iWin - no more games from you.

First, it sneakily adds a pop up announcing new games every time you go online;

second, it is bound and determined that you will sign up for online play; . . .

and third . . . it will make you become really friendly with your computer manufacturer's
online service techs! Out of nowhere, my desktop expanded wayyyy out of proportion.
Even opening images to edit them became impossible as they were effectively distorted.

Fortunately, Sony was able to come through and help me there, but I'm still waiting for feedback regarding the System Restore issue.

As if that isn't aggravating enough, the park I'm presently at keeps losing its WiFi signal . . . so I have to drive to a nearby hot spot to see where I'm at with the different fixes.

When my daughter got her new laptop a year ago, it still had Windows XP, so she's being spared some of these aggravations.

Now, one last surprisae, that the Sony reps keep 'forgetting' to comment on - and I hope I hear some feedback from some of you on this gem.

Supposedly, I have Windows Vista Premium Home edition . . . but the Sony rep indicated that my computer was actually shipped preloaded with Windows 98 - even though I can find no reference to 98 when I do a search or look within my computer - and everything opens under Vista.

Has anyone else heard anything about this situation????????????????

Sorry to have such a frustrating blog entry today. But I would sure like to know what's what in the scheme of things.

Damani Fifth Wheel

Damani Fifth Wheel by Carriage

There are times when RVers 'dry camp' at rallies and other gatherings. It's typical in such instances to 'mark' your rig by means of a flag, kite, banner or other item that can be hung high off the rear ladder or a pole, as the majority of towables tend to be primarily . . . WHITE! And when everyone is parked in a large field it's easy to forget where your 'house on wheels' is at!

Lately, champagne, taupe and a soft dove grey have been appearing . . . and now, Carriage has introduced its unique, wholly-new Damani line . . . in a high-gloss RUST color as well as an attractive gray tone. This puppy needs no additions to locate it in a crowd. Everything about it is as different as it can get - though I have serious doubts that the loaded weight is under 12,000# as listed on the serial number label. (Sorry, Carriage, but I would be mighty uncomfortable pulling this with my 3/4 ton Dodge diesel pickup truck.)

Now, I can't say that this is high on my list of favorite external RV colors - but it was that very color that drew me like a mosquito to fresh meat to check out the inside. Honestly, I was expecting a rather basic interior . . sofa and table and chairs or dinette - maybe an easy chair or two - and possibly a desk and/or fireplace.

Did I ever have a wrong number! Visually, this floorplan is one of the most original I've seen. There are three equally different layouts - and I admit I prefer the bathroom and bedroom of the others which each have 2 slides. But the living room in this triple slide thoroughly intrigued me, featuring two large sofa-style seating areas.

It can easily seat about 10 people with room to spare. Personally, being as I'm constantly working on my computer and working with my photos and crafts, that dining table set-up would be ideal to spread all my paraphernalia about with room to spare. The two-burner stovetop and single, round kitchen sink weren't terribly user-friendly, but I was fascinated with the overall 'flow' of this unit.

The sofas, the kitchen, even the refrigerator placement, all follow along curves rather than flat surfaces. It definitely has an unusual feel about it. Even the bedroom builtins are more curved than straight and the bed itself has a 7 degree tip away from the wall which does make it easier to make up on the far side than most.

Definitely a unit worth checking out - but make up your own mind as to its' practicality for your own needs. Overall, I'll stick with my modest CrossRoads Cruiser 29CK. It's nowhere as opulent, but it still has features I rarely see on the highest-end units. It was definitely well-worth spending a leisurely hour checking it out.

Hot Water Tank Sediment

This is really embarrassing. We always filter our water from the outside. Being full-timers, we change it quite often as we do travel quite a bit. Many of you have the filters inside your coach or rig, often under the sink, and almost always a second one in the fridge if you have the luxury of a built-in ice maker. (I don't, but I did buy a portable one for Mike for Christmas two years ago which he loves.)

Even with the filter, hard water sediment will still build up. You can't camp in as many places as we do and not collect it. Every two months or so, when the shower water pressure slows down, I remove the shower head and hose and soak them in vinegar for about 15 minutes. I then blow air through one end, emptying the trapped water in a clear jar to see how much sediment is still present. I repeat the steps til I'm satisfied, rinse them out well with clear water and replace them.

(Note: In air conditioning weather I also wash out my filters at the same time - both ac and my vent filters. In sandy states, like Florida, they get filled quickly).

Fortunately, I'm working part time for Thousand Trails in Camping World. I am supposed to know where things are, and periodically wander through looking for ideas (a dangerous move, trust me!). Two weeks ago I spotted a gizmo for flushing out the hot water tank easily. The water at this campground is so hard, that my vinegar treatment and filter-changing were not effectively helping with the shower pressure. It was time to do something. Several times I saw other RVers purchasing the Tank Saver RV Water Heater Tank Flushing Tool, so I knew we weren't the only ones having issues.

The packaging says it takes about 10 minutes, twice a year to keep your tank running smoothly . . . but that doesn't apply if you haven't drained it in three years, since it left the factory!!!! It took several (embarrassing) flushes, but what a difference. And easy? I can do it alone easily. Atwood hot water tanks have no anodes, but even those that do will follow the same procedure. The directions are easy to follow.

You can be sure we won't let that happen again! Happy Camping, everyone.

Teaching This Old Gal New Tricks

Blogging is still new to me. When I first decided to try 'Smilebox' I was extremely hesitant, even to the point of cancelling it before exploring its potential. Fortunately the program persisted in teasing me enough to give it another look. Below is my first experimental slideshow. Hopefully you enjoy it. These images were randomly chosen from many I've taken along my travels. A couple will reappear in different posts later which I hope you will find beneficial.

Random Images

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Nugget's New Hat

As a Workamper, I wear many hats (just look at my resume card samples below and on the side). Ever eager to promote the company I'm working with, and constantly creating things from forms to promotional items and personal gifts, this adventure provided another opportunity.

Twice a week I generate leads for Thousand Trails at the Tampa-area Camping World (which already has most of my monies - it's a dangerous place for a full-time RVer!!!). On my third day, aware of all the dogs that were coming in the store, I called Mike and asked him to bring 'Nugget' over (lead images for this blog). Thar fellow is a magnet when it comes to getting attention. Mike got quite a chuckle when he saw guests and dogs alike coming over to check him out.

Before getting too carried away, I asked my boss to come over and approve my new 'helper'. She was a bit skeptical, thinking that Mike might be helping me, and the position only pays one person per shift.

Quietly I brought him up from behind the counter and started putting him through his paces. She responded to him immediately . . . then stared looking around, stunned, as people stopped in their tracks for a better look, then started gravitating our way. Nugget was hired!

Nugget isn't 'just' a dog - he's a hand puppet with the ability to be quite amazing.

There was one problem though - three out of five people want to BUY my buddy. It was time to get him 'dressed' for his part. With my boss's permission, I took digital images of our current promotion and edited them for iron-on transfers. I have a wonderfu, free, program - www.wildthings.com, that offers a good variety of customizable patterns. Using a beret pattern, I adjusted it to fit Nugget, then printed it out. Now he has a beret featuring the current promo on the top and the Thousand Trails logo on the wider-than-normal band.

As my great boss, Sue Rose says, "Life is Good".

Tampa RV Supershow

Views from New Mexico and Utah

The amazing show is over for 2008, but it was another great one. Unfortunately I was down with laryngitis earlier in the week, so was only able to attend on Saturday. (This show is so huge that you get a pass for a second day when you buy your ticket - and trust me, you do want to plan for two days.)

So much for hearing about the RV sales slowdown - don't tell that to the vendors there - they were hopping. I not only FINALLY made our reservations for the upcoming Good Sam's RV rally in Perry, Georgia in March - but received a $25 certificate towards fuel. OK - it may not pay for much, but on a limited income, some is better than nothing!

We've been drooling over Freightliner-type conversions for some time. I like the warranties on them and the way they handle. The Optima has been at the head of our list, but this year, Renegade came on as a close second. They don't have the frills and gussie doodads of Prevosts or other luxury brands, but for us, they're more livable and we'd never have to worry about overloading. But that's strictly pesonal preference - and they're still out of our league. My CrossRoads Cruiser fits us well and has held up beautifully for full-timing. What surprised us was how popular they are becoming. Normally there would be three or four at the Super Show - this year we looked at 10 - and didn't see them all. There were about 1,300 RVs total on the grounds for viewing.

My daughter and her husband have been looking at lightweight towables - fairly basic, but comfortable for a family of 4 and a dog in inclement weather (otherwise they are outside). T@B now has a unit slightly larger than their revised, popular teardrop (like the Betty Boop unit on the left). For their needs, there are units they would be happy with - ECO has one that is even better geared to their needs without going overboard on their wallets.

At the other end of the spectrum, we're seeing a huge surge in high-end class A's. The transition lot at Seffner's LazyDays is so busy that they're asking the people there to try to stay only one night as they transfer their belongings from the former units to their new ones. One such couple is staying at WigWam RV Park where we're at - waiting for their new unit to arrive. Lazy Days was putting them up at their beautiful Rally Park, but it has been full with reservations - and will be, through the end of the month. We aren't in a resort-type park - far from it - but new arrivals are sporting some gorgeous units for the few days they are staying.

Even the dry camping lots - at TA and Flying J truckstops as well as Camping World, are filled. The Super Show has not only drawn them in, but also LazyDays with their own show which will be ongoing this coming weekend at Rally Park. It's a fun time for looking and dreaming.

I sure wish RV salespeople would stop trying to sell heavy RVs to people that are beyond their true towing capacity. I went in a beautiful Alfa fifth wheel, to drool a bit (sometimes it's a bit embarrassing - and that unit definitely qualified!). The salesman was telling a customer that he definitely had the right pickup truck for it. I inadvertently blurted out, 'Sure, as long as it's bigger than a one-ton' - the salesman glared at me as the prospective customer confirmed that he indeed had a diesel one-ton. When I mentioned that as a former RV transporter the EMPTY weight on that one made me nervous - especially in the mountains, the salesman modified his comment to add that the one-ton would pull the behemoth just fine with certain modifications - omitting the detail that virtual ANY power-boost changes void a new pickup truck warranty.

I keep repeating myself like a broken record, but knowing your weights and combined loaded weights (GVWR) are critical. Overextending can create unpleasant nightmares down the road.

Happy Camping everyone