RV Home Yet?

Workamper Dreamers

Last week I attended a conference in San Diego. (See post "Do you avoid big cities?") Steve Anderson, owner/publisher of Workamper News and his daughter, Jody, who is the graphic designer and Webinar coordinator, also attended. It was actually a funny story of how we all ended up attending - one of those synchronicity things was going on.

You may have heard of Workamper News, but perhaps not their new division. That is Workamper Dreamers - to help you make your RVing dreams come true and introduce you to the Workamper lifestyle.If you are thinking of the RV lifestyle and possible working or volunteering in your RV travels, check out the site. There are exercises to get you started and interviews with Workampers. Some of the site is f/ree and some restricted to members. It's good stuff, so check it out! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Pictured above are Steve Anderson, George and me on the passenger ferry that runs between Coronado and the Embarcadero in San Diego and Jody Anderson and Steve Anderson at the San Diego Zoo.

CA State Parks latest victim of budget woes

A number of state park systems have been forced to cut back on visitor services and even close parks. In RV Lifestyles Ezine, we linked to a report by a commission in Arizona that has been studying ways to increase funding for its beleaguered parks. Some Arizona State Parks have already had days and staff cut.

California has already taken steps to reduce costs for operating their state parks. According to the MercuryNews.com, "More than half of California's 279 state parks will see reduced hours, closed campgrounds, canceled school field trips and gates padlocked several days a week under a wave of unprecedented new cuts completed Tuesday by the state parks department."

You can see a chart with some of the parks affected at the article, "Sweeping cuts imposed on more than half of California State Parks." Click on the chart to see a larger version. Humboldt Redwoods State Park does not appear on the list. (George standing in a "goose pen" formed by the burned out part of a giant redwood.) We enjoyed exploring the Avenue of the Giants that cuts through this state park.

My only hope is, that as more budget cuts are necessary, that states (and the federal government) do not consider selling off these treasures. This land that has been set aside as significant is our legacy and should be saved for future generations. The various places also provide local recreation as well as attract tourist dollars.

In the Payson area in Arizona near our homebase, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park was one named to be shut completely down last spring (pictured). The nearby towns raised a ruckus since Tonto Natural Bridge is one of the few parks that brings in enough revenue to support itself plus lots of tourist dollars. The town of Payson was able to partner with the park to provide seasonal employees on weekends at the park and keep it open two days a week. Those partnerships may be necessary in the future. It all depends on our values as taxpayers.

 What solution(s) do you see could help our state parks? Are they pawns to get voters' attention and raise taxes? Or should they be closed before other services cut? As RVers, do you visit state parks in your travels? What will it mean to the RV lifestyle? What do you think? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Latest RV Lifestyles Ezine available

See Part II October 2009 RV Lifestyle Ezine. Subscribe at RVLifestyleExperts.com

See tips for saving money on camping and Tom Vineski's series on RV Solar Power 101.

Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RVers can live their dream at any age

Yesterday I came across Roadtrip Nation and their green RVs. Roadtrip Nation's mission is to define your own road in life. Students can apply to hit the road and interview people from all walks of life who have made lives and careers out of doing what they love. The idea is to encourage young people to live their dream rather than live someone else's. They travel in one of four RVs for six weeks and talk to all sorts of people. They interview people like a cartoonist, songwriter/producer, activist or small business owner.

Many RVers are using the full-time RV lifestyle to not just observe or talk to people living their dream, but to actually do the things they dreamed about doing. Lou and Judy ran away with a circus. They actually tutored students but they were immersed in the circus atmosphere. Adventureland in Iowa attracts more than 100 Workampers each year. Their dedicated RV park houses RVers who run the rides, hawk games or work in other aspects of running a huge attraction. Disney World in the fall and winter becomes a place for other RVers to work and play. Dan and Sue worked there for several winters. Sue accompanied a costumed character while "holding the party line" and making sure guests got their photo with their favorite character while Dan captained a boat taking passengers over to an island. What fun!
 
Still others have given lighthouse tours, manned a fire tower, interacted with visitors from all over the world as a park ranger at one of our national parks, or dressed as a historical character while giving cave tours. And other RVers run a business from their RV, giving them financial independence plus fulfilling that entrepreneurial dream. If you are wanting more ideas, Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, has more than 350 different ones.

What's your dream? Isn't it time? If not now, when? Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Do you avoid big cities?

We've been in San Diego for a week for a conference. We didn't bring the RV. It can be difficult to find a low-cost RV site in the area, and, I am fortunate to have family in the area so I have a place to stay. However, thinking about going to some other large cities can be intimidating. RV parks closer in are often expensive or you have to stay way out and then drive long distances to do visiting or sightseeing.

San Diego is one city where it is easy to get around using public transportation. The trolley system takes you quite close to several places to camp. There are two in Chula Vista, not far from the trolley line, though they both are fairly expensive. You could camp at the Silver Strand State Park south of Coronado then drive up to the ferry landing and take the ferry across to downtown San Diego where you can pick up the trolley. Bob Diffey, in his blog RV Boondocking News, mentions Lake Jennings, about 20 miles from downtown San Diego. There is a fee, but they do have dry camping. You could travel a shorter distance to get the trolley as well and come into town that way. If you'd like to find out more about getting around San Diego using public transportation, see my article, "San Diego by Bus, Train and Trolley," at RoadTripAmerica.com.

Cities have cultural offerings, special exhibits and sights that can not be found in smaller towns. We've ventured into big cities to see the King Tut, Terra Cota Warriors and Body Works traveling exhibits, available only in large metropolitan museums. If you take some time to research RV parks and public transportation, you may find it isn't so difficult to add a city to your itinerary. 

Exploring nature is wonderful - and - mix it with a little culture now and then! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Be careful with RV holiday decorations

For many of us, taking up the RV lifestyle is the end to holiday decorations. I have to admit I was never much of a decorator when it came to holidays to begin with. I gave away nearly all my Christmas decorations. I have one small box left of a few small favorites, and since 1992 when we hit the road, I think I've had them out two or three times tops.

However, RVers who travel with children or have kids around for the holidays may still decorate. And, some people just love to decorate for the season even if they don't have children, especially if they are parked.

If your decorations include candles, be especially careful. A news article at News4Jax in Jacksonville tells about two RV fires in the past two months caused by candles. The most recent fire was caused by a candle in the bathroom. The woman went back to sleep on the couch and when she awoke, saw smoke.  See the photos at the scene: the RV was totaled. She had no electricity so perhaps the candle was used for lighting the area. I can't imagine where she would place it to cause a fire in an RV bathroom, but I guess it is possible. Perhaps it was near a towel.

This woman didn't have her candles in a decoration, but this incident underscores the danger of using candles in a small place, especially unattended. RVers are fortunate that even if they are plugged in, their 12-volt system will keep their lights on for a while so they rarely have to resort to candles for light. Or, they might have a generator to power their system.

If you do use candles in your RV lifestyle, for decorating or for a romantic dinner, be careful. Don't leave them unattended for even a few minutes. Disaster could be the result. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Should RVers use nitrogen in their tires?

Ron and Ginny, fellow New Horizon 5th wheel owners who also went to Alaska this year, replaced their truck tires in Grand Junction, CO on their way back to Florida. Ron did not realize that Big-O Tires filled them with nitrogen. On the way home, Ron let out a little air for a smoother ride while not towing the 5th wheel. However, when he went to add air, he was told they were filled with nitrogen and he should not add air. The green valve stem caps indicated nitrogen.

Back in Florida, there is no nitrogen readily available, at least in their area, and so, to put air back in, Ron has to have the tires removed, cleaned and dried before doing so. 

Pros and cons

Using nitrogen in your truck or RV tires is supposed to have some advantages. Having nitrogen-filled tires will increase fuel mileage by about 3 percent since leakage is less. Under-inflated tires don't get as good fuel mileage. The lack of moisture in nitrogen also helps tires to maintain a steady pressure. Tires have normal leakage -- estimated by some at 1 to 2 pounds per square inch a month - and most drivers don't check the tire pressure. Nitrogen could make a difference for these drivers.

Nitrogen is less flammable, though some would question how often a regular automobile or RV would be used in such a way to catch fire. Now an airplane or race car- that's a different story.

However, as Ron found, getting your tires filled with nitrogen can be a hurdle. If it is available, there is usually a $10 per tire charge to fill it.

Many experts don't feel that nitrogen makes a significant difference, though it could be cool to have those green valve stems!

Two articles that go into more detail about the pros and cons are at Bankrate.com and The Straight Dope.

I don't pretend to be an expert on this topic. In fact, hearing from Ron and Ginny was my introduction to using nitrogen in tires. Anyone want to share knowledge or experience on this topic? Would this make a difference for RVers. Would it save money in the RV lifestyle? Please join in by leaving a comment. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Safe food in your RV- your responsibility or the FDAs?

Some of the healthiest foods we eat are the riskiest to eat according to a recent article in AARPBulletinToday. The article states that, "Researchers at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) announced their own grocery list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The most hazardous, in order: leafy greens, eggs, tuna, oysters, potatoes, cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts and berries."

What, if any, responsibility to do RVers and other consumers have to handle and prepare food properly v. relying on more regulations by the FDA?

Packaged leafy greens are the number one culprit. The greens come from many sources so contamination from one source can contaminate a batch. Washing produce well before eating would avoid most problems. Commercial products or ionizers are available to purify leafy greens too. 

Salmonella from undercooked or raw eggs is still a problem. The FDA has made new rules that eggs must be tested and also refrigerated during the whole transportation process. It used to be eggs could sit in locations for long periods of time without refrigeration. Consumers should be wary about eating homemade ice cream and mayonnaise; undercooked eggs are usually the cause of salmonella in these products.

Scromboid poisoning, from the hard-to-destroy scromboid toxin, made tuna the third riskiest food in the CSPI study. This is most often found in fresh tuna in restaurants - like seared tuna or sushi - but the toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking, freezing or other processing. The key to preventing the scromboid toxin is refrigeration. The toxin develops if certain fish begin to decompose. Often there is no fishy smell to indicate that decomposition has started. Fish products should only be bought from known, reputable retail outlets.

While RV consumers traveling would have a more difficult time determining whether tuna was processed carefully, we should have no trouble washing leafy greens or making sure our eggs are well-cooked.

So what do you think? Do we need more regulation? Or should consumers also be responsible for proper handling and preparation once they purchase food? Do we have a more difficult time in the RV lifestyle than other consumers? Weigh in by leaving a comment. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Get $1250 big ones for fuel!

How's this for a reason to buy? Purchase an RV with a Freightliner chassis and receive a fuel card for up to $1,250 worth of diesel fuel. Rules are:

• Purchase must be made between October 15, 2009 and December 31, 2009 in the U.S or Canada.
• The motorhome must be on a Freightliner chassis and one of the following brands: Damon, Entegra Coach, Forest River, Gulf Stream, Itasca, Jayco, Four Winds International (formerly known as Mandalay Coach), Newmar, Sportscoach, Tiffin, Triple E and Winnebago.
• Model years eligible are 2008, 2009 and 2010.
• See the Fueled by Us Website for more details.

Is this the incentive you've been waiting for?!  Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Could your dog be a therapy animal?

Are you looking for a way to give back? Many RVers volunteer as part of their RV lifestyle to do just that. While they may also get a free RV site in the process, they have the satisfaction of helping others or a worthy cause.

For RVers who have a well-behaved dog or cat and will be in an area for an extended time, consider certification for your pet as a therapy animal and then visiting nursing homes or retirement communities.

According to the Delta Society, which certifies therapy pets, your dog should be calm, friendly, well-behaved and at least a year old. And he should behave the same way around strangers. Delta Society registers dogs and cats as well as other domesticated animals such as rabbits, goats, horses, miniature pigs, birds etc. Of course most RVers would not have these other pets!

Delta has a four-step registration process.

1. Take the Pet Partner's Training Course. It's offered in a number of locations or is available online.
2. Heath screening for your pet.
3. Team evaluation of your pet. You can see what will be required at the Web site. If there is not a regular course near you, you can check the team evaluator and instructor directory.
4. Submit your registration packet.

What a fun and satisfying way to give back. Often patients who seem totally unresponsive do respond to a pet. Children and adults who have not talked for years - or ever - may suddenly smile and say their first words. Your pet could bring joy to others through this program.

RV volunteers have many ways to contribute. Now your pet can help too! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak