RV Home Yet?

Poll: How many meals a day do you eat in your RV(on average)?

Do you actually cook in your RV?! I've met RVers who love that they can cook their own meals and others who see RVing as a vacation and why cook? What about you? Vote at our poll. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

A little R & R - Coors Brewery Tour

When I'm at an RV show I may have time in the morning or middle of the day to do some exploring. I started looking for things to do and found I was not all that far from Golden, CO and the Miller Coors Brewery. They offer free tours. That should be fun!

The brewery stretches for 5 miles and sits on 55 acres. It's an imposing sight. Visitor parking is at Ford and 13th where a shuttle bus takes you to the start of the tour. The bus makes a quick tour through Golden, mentioning some of the history of the town and the brewery. Adolph Coors apprenticed in Prussia and opened his brewery here in 1873.

After a photo with an optional Coors hat and signing in, displays show older photos and paraphernalia. Now all tours are audio tours. You push a number on your phone-like device to hear information about each station.

Displays and videos explain the process. On the right is a photo of mature hops plants. I had never stopped to think what a hop was but I would never have pictured it like this!

 

The most imposing sight is where huge brew kettles are used to process the grains and hops. A sign above the kettles on the left say they are brew kettles while the ones on the right are "mash tuns," which mix the grain and water and heat it to break down the enzymes in the grain. Coors beer is known for its pristine Rocky Mountain water, giving it a special taste. This is the third ingredient in brewing beer.

The next area was the packaging and shipping area. Coors and Keystone beers whizzed by on conveyer belts.

The last stop - no, the next to last - was the tasting room. Each guest 21 and over could taste three beers. The full line of Miller and Coors was available so it was a popular place. In fact most of the people who rode over on the bus with me were in their 20s. I wonder how often they come? And, you could also purchase your photo with a choice of backgrounds in photo format or on a keyring. I decided that $15 for one or $20 for two of me with a Coors cowboy hat in front of the brewing kettles was not worth the price!

And the very last stop, of course, was the gift shop. Lots of choices here too. I did pick up a gift and some postcards. If you come to Golden I do recommend the tour, even if you are not a beer drinker- and especially if you are. It was quite informative.

Golden looks like a nice town. You receive a "Golden" buck when you take the tour. You present this to a participating store or restaurant and get a 15 or 20 percent discount. You rub off a circle to find out the discount when you pay. I had a tasty bison burger at the Buffalo Rose Saloon, but had to head back without exploring more.

 

There is room to park RVs on the Miller Coors visitor lot. You are a block from Washington Street, the main street, so could probably leave it there while you explore if the lot wasn't full. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

56 Annual Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show

I'm speaking at the 56th Annual Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show, the last of five I'm doing this season. Unlike the others, it is not located downtown. Instead it is north of downtown at the National Western Complex. It's quite the place- maze-like in that there are levels and rooms off the main area - lots of nooks and crannies. The RV seminar stage is way off in a back corner on the main level. It is marked on the show map.

Each show has had a different character. I thought I'd seen all the new things but was wrong. Several of the shows were geared towards families and weekend campers and sportsmen. There were few high end RVs. Here is the priciest RV I've seen at the shows - the Ikon Renegade. I didn't catch the total price but the show special says payments are $3200+/month! It's built on a Freightliner chassis - very snazzy. It does have a guest bathroom - living the RV lifestyle in luxury! Two other rigs by this same dealer are definitely high end items.

 

 

Since this show also appeals to the sportsman, many booths offer tourist information and items useful to them. I found these Clam tents intriguing- quite roomy. And you can use this one for ice fishing. The other side comes down to protect from the weather. The small ones come in a container you can put on - or drag from - an ATV or snow mobile. I talked to one salesman who said they are going up by Grand Lake after the show for ice fishing. I wasn't aware ice fishing was possible in Colorado. Learn something new every day!

Tomorrow I'll share information about a new modular camper. And, as always, if you are in the area, stop by and say hello. Discount tickets are available online at the show site. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Another day at the Minneapolis/St Paul RV Show

I went back and looked more closely at the fish/ice houses. They do have round openings with a lid so you can open them for fishing through the ice. Maybe some other northern RV shows have similar units, but this is the first time I've seen one. George, who grew up in northern Minnesota, did ice fishing but in tents or makeshift shelters. They froze their you-know-whats off! Here is an up-close look at the holes plus a look in the back of a camouflage unit that has chairs to sit in while you fish.

Someone at one of my presentations had mentioned a TV that flipped around so you could watch it in the living area or in the bedroom. Pretty nifty. And this trailer has an unusual front. I thought it was a park model at first, but it is a trailer.

It has been interesting to see what vendors choose to exhibit at these shows. In Minneapolis there were very few Class A motorhomes and a lot of trailers. Someone suggested that's because a lot of Minnesotans take a trailer out to a lake during the summer. A trailer surely makes sense for that. Other shows had more toy hauler trailers too. Different RV lifestyles for different folks. That's why there are so many choices!

The next show is back in Denver and is the 56th Annual Colorado RV, Sports, Boat and Travel Show. See the website for discount tickets and information. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Minneapolis/St Paul RV, Vacation & Camping Show

I really like Minneapolis! It's a neat city. Very friendly people, nice downtown and love the skywalks that take you from building to building on an elevated, enclosed walkway. Considering how cold it is and how slick the sidewalks can get from snow, they are wonderful!

The RV show has lots of RVs to look at, interesting booths and a couple of things new to me. I am fascinated by the outdoor kitchens. Not sure if I prefer this Shasta Revere kitchen....

or the one in the Open Range "Light" trailer. And, where but Minnesota would you see an ice or fish house?! They lower right down on the ice. I do need to go back and peek inside and see if you can actually fish inside or is it just for retreating when you get tired or cold. It's the first time I've seen one up close and personal. Amazing!

I've seen some big Class B vans, which I learned are called Class B+ RVs. They are wide bodied, taller and much roomier. The photo on the left is a Pleasureway B+. I also looked inside a Leisure Van B+. A Murphy bed comes down over the couch/dinette, making for a more comfortable sleep. And, one person does not have to crawl over the other to get out of bed.

Here's the bed coming down plus the interior of the Leisure Van.

Denny Forsyth, salesman at Lake Region RVs in Ramsey showed me how the bed worked and raved about the quality of the Leisure Vans. It is amazing how spacious they are and how much they put in a small space.

If you are near Minneapolis, stop in and see me. I'm giving presentations on "The RV Adventure: Living the RV Lifestyle" twice a day in the Seminar room. And check out all the interesting RVs while you are there. You can print out a discount ticket online as well. Oh, and did I mention it was cold? 2:30 p.m. and only 21 degrees. I won't mind one bit going back to warmer weather! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Kansas City - Mid-America RV Show

Bartle Hall at the Convention Center has plenty of room for RVs! I wandered among some between presentations on the RV lifestyle, enjoying all the new features. Lifestyle RVs, located in Grain Valley, MO, has signs like below left on their trailers to point out features. The Raptor, in their display, had a side patio and a sign for its 6-point Auto Hydraulic Leveling System. Selling points, yes, but good information for shoppers to know.

 

RVs are, as we pointed out before, catering to families and outdoor entertainment. In the toy hauler room, some trailers/5th wheels now have a dining area. This one, by the use of benches which fold up or get set aside, can accommodate a large family group or party at a folding table. And this Sprinter has a serious outside RV kitchen with sink, cabinets, refrigerator and grill.

Mobile Suites is one of the better made 5th wheels. You can get double-pane windows, double door refrigerator, two recliners and Corian countertop on the kitchen island. They are excellent 5th wheels for full-time RVing, though pricier than many other 5th wheels. St. Louis RVing had this costumed character to attract visitors and willing posed for photos!

Drawing a huge crowd at each show is Twiggy the water skiing squirrel. Actually Twiggys #7 and 8 are used in the show. #1 first learned to ski in the 1970s. The show emphasizes water safety as well as watching Twiggy water ski and count!

The show started in the afternoon Thursday and Friday, so I have had a little time to explore. More about that in another post. In the meantime, if you are in the Kansas City area, come on down to see the Mid-America show and check out all the RVs. Stop by the seminar area if you do. I'd love to meet you. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Smaller RVs at the CO RV Adventure Travel Show

I walked around as the show started today. It's the second day of the 23rd Annual Progressive Insurance Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show. As you come in, there is a cute Smart car that can be towed on the ground, both in red and white. For trips to the grocery store and exploring, this little car would do the job - easy and light to tow, excellent fuel mileage. Starting price is $12,490. I also noticed a pop-up with a side bed by Jeep. I hadn't known Jeep was even in this market. I'm guessing that some of the Jeep vehicles could tow this.

When I think of Class B vans, I think small. This Leisure van is very spacious with slideouts and lots of floor space. The sitting area makes into a bed. If you have a spouse or partner, you would need to go to bed at the same time, though, or one could sit and read in the passenger seat. The vehicle is almost as large as some Class Cs, without the cab-over bed.

This Somerset pop-up trailer actually has a toilet and shower. It's tiny and works only with hookups, but that's new for me. Or, you can get this tent to take along with your pop-up to use for a changing area, shower or a place to put a porta potty.

Two trailers - perhaps not that small - but in the lower price ranges for RVs- had interesting additions. This rear bathroom in a Sunset Trail trailer has a door to the outside. Great idea for people camping or perhaps riding ATVs or sand buggies who come back to the RV to use the facilities without tracking through the whole trailer. And this toy hauler area has a sink so people can wash up a bit before going inside to the main living area. Wow!

The RV industry is responding to their newest and fastest growing demographic - the under-35 group who often have families and may go out to play with their toys. Extra beds, toilets, sinks all favor this active lifestyle.

There are plenty of RVs of all sizes, shapes and prices geared for families and active people. So come on down if you are in the area. You can purchase a discount ticket online at the show site: Progressive Insurance 23rd Annual RV Adventure Travel Show. The show runs today through Saturday from 10 to 8 at the Convention Center. I'll be giving two talks a day on "The RV Adventure: Living the RV Lifestyle." Love to see you! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

NM RV, Boat and Travel Show 3

The RV show in Albuquerque wound down today. I did get a chance in the morning to see a few more RVs and advances before starting my talks.

I went in an Excel 5th wheel. Like other upper end models, it has a double-door refrigerator with bottom freezer. The kitchen has an island and it comes with two recliners and a couch. We had to put recliners in our 5th wheel and my original motorhome. Nice that manufacturers are listening to their consumers.

I noticed a trailer and a pop-up with metal decks in front for carrying firewood, ATVs or any extra gear. Another one had an enclosed storage area under the extended bed area which could be accessed while open by sliding out. These starter RVs have come a long ways!

This lightweight trailer's front (the black part) is protected by Line-X, a rugged liner they also use in the bed of the trucks. The roof of a fold-up trailer was similarly protected. And to show that not everything there costs an arm and a leg, these inflatable boats are a fun way to explore waterways and add hours of enjoyment to our RV travels.

This was a fun show. I met lots of wonderful people- some just curious about the RV lifestyle or looking for their first RV, others who have already started, still others who are quite experienced. I met Ron and Karen who know me from the Web. A young couple were exploring ways to live this lifestyle but not in conflict with their "green" values. Lots of nice venders too and the staff was great. Heading to Denver tomorrow. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

NM RV, Boat and Travel Show day 2

Saturday is usually the busiest day of an RV show and the place was hopping! I did get a chance to wander around and marvel at all the new advances before I starting giving my talks on the RV lifestyle. Here is an overhead view from the manager's office. The chickenwire built into the glass shows but you can get an idea of the sea of RVs and boats. Out on the floor, one of the new items I noticed was this patio kit so you can sit out on a raised platform with coffee or a drink.Several brands offer this feature.

There are more RVs that will accommodate families and living in the outdoors. This is a sleeping area with outside access in a Zinger by Crossroads trailer. And this Eagle has an outdoor kitchen/bar area.

Technology advances! A Winnebago dashboard looks like you need a special license! Everything has a switch. And Winnebago also has some colorful trailers.

Small is popular too. I went inside a new Lance camper- actually not so small. One of the shortcomings for us when we traveled in our Lance was the lack of a comfortable place to sit in the evenings on an extended trip. The new Lance has a design that has taken care of it with a couch in the back in addition to the dinette. And the bathroom has more room- even a tub.  The pop-up trailers are amazing inside too. They get fancier every year.

Lots to see at the show. It's open from 10 to 5 in the Albuquerque Convention Center. I've given you a small peek into what's there. You'll find about 150 RVs and boats on display as well as vendors of ATVs, services for RVs like insurance, and accessories and extras you might take along. Today (Sunday) is the last day. It's a wonderful opportunity to see many RVs in one place and do some comparisons. I'll be speaking about the RV lifestyle at 11, 1 and 3 today. Stop by if you are in the area! There are discount tickets online. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Poll: Have you changed gift giving since you began RVing?

Many RVers find they give fewer gifts or change the nature of them once they start RVing. Is that true for you? Vote in our poll. Leave a comment there or here in the blog. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak