Horizon Herald - Nov/Dec '99
New Horizons Owners Newsletter
Volume 1 Number 5 -
November/December 1999
Bringing together New Horizons™
owners for sharing and fellowship
Published bi-monthly
Editors: Don and Helen
McAnally
PMB 11431
214 Rainbow Drive Livingston, Texas 77399-2014
email: horizonltr@aol.com
Contents
Notes from the Editors
Rally 1999 was a great success. We have devoted two extra pages to the write-up.When we first mentioned a rally in the May/June newsletter, we never dreamed—on such short notice—that 41 New Horizons rigs would show up. 82 for Rally 2000?
Note the subscription rates in the masthead. Explanation: “Owners” include people who have actually ordered their trailer. “Per Calendar Year” means the total yearly fee will be due regardless of subscription date. For those signing up during the year, they will receive all back copies for that year. For those on the current mailing list who wish to continue receiving the newsletter, send your payment by December 31, 1999.
We are wintering in Texas at Stagecoach RV Park, Bandera, until about
mid-March. Send mail either to Livingston PMB address or the following:
P.O. Box 1118, #35
Bandera, TX 78003
Phone: (830) 796-3188
Mailing list has grown to 125. Publishing date is the15th on odd-numbered months. We need your news, articles, etc. 15 days prior to publication.
Our New York Connection
I like York city and think it’s gotten a bum rap over the years. I also think that campers would enjoy visiting the city. That’s why I volunteered to write an occasional article for the newsletter. There are several State Parks and campgrounds near enough for a visit. If you have a map and know where to look there are even campgrounds close to public transportation.
If anyone is interested I would be glad to investigate. I am also offering myself as a resource person for other New Horizon owners or employees.
Debby and I were the “newbies” at the rally. We didn’t even know that a rally had been planned for that weekend. We were in Kansas to pick up our New Horizon fifth wheel.
However, we could not pass up the opportunity to attend the rally. We divided our time between getting adjusted to our new trailer and attending the events.We came late, failed to bring our chairs to the potluck dinner and left a day early.
None the less we had a good time and met a lot of great people. I want to thank everybody who extended a hand in friendship or just accepted us.
The rally was fun and the trip home almost but not quite uneventful. We forgot to close the dish detergent which dripped out in brilliant orange. And I scraped the side of the trailer on a sign. I forgot the trailer was there.
I also blamed myself for a flat tire. I thought I had hit a curb. Turns out that we had picked up a piece of metal which cut through the tire like a knife through butter. I almost didn’t mind the cost of the tire since my ego had been saved.
Now we are ready to live the RV lifestyle and write about fun places to
visit in and around New York.
Charles Yaker
43-06 Williams Street
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
(201) 797-8796 email: c.yaker@world.net
Your Turn
Comments, ideas, questions, about most anything.
Recently purchased a used NH. It
was love at first sight
Lost rear fender due to tire
blowout, but we’re OK (John/Beegee Sofie)
Posts and signs scar sides of
trailers. SWING WIDE!
Never before have so many NH
trailers been in the same place at the same time (rally story, Junction City
Daily Union)
On our production line we spend
700 to 800 man hours. We spend more time on the wiring than other companies do
on the whole thing (Harold Johnson, in Daily Union)
Wish list: a wall-mounted
thermostat to control the air conditioner
Picking up our trailer in April; appreciate input on MUST options
(lgriff@erols.com)
Vacuum window screens with brush
attachment to remove fuzz and dust
Suggestion: include owner
personal profile occasionally to spotlight some individual (send them in, we’ll
try to publish as space allows, Ed.)
Planning ahead: design visit to
Horizons next summer; want rig to be ready when we retire in 2001
We chose New Horizons because if
you are going to live in it, you want the best
We need more comments for this section. Please. (Ed)
Tips & Information
Retaining Pins
After hearing about a trailer that hit the ground when the front leg retaining pin sheared off, I listened carefully and learned how to prevent such an occurrence. Use case-hardened carriage bolts, which are distinguishable from normal bolts by “lines” on the top of the bolt head. I measured the legs, went to the hardware store, and purchased Grade 8 bolts (six lines and a triangle) for $.77 each.
After setting up the 5th wheel legs, I slide one of these carriage bolts through the closest hole beneath the leg’s retaining pin. In the unlikely event the retaining pin breaks, the leg will only drop about one inch onto the carriage bolt. Cheap insurance for my “peace of mind”. (Michael Erb)
(Ed. note: we need to hear from more “handy type” people; also,
experienced computer, Internet, other skills people)
Please Share! Please Write!
Travel Tips From Near & Far
Try Chamber of Commerce
When visiting an area we like to stay two-three weeks and visit all the interesting museums, houses, hikes, etc.
We have found an excellent first stop is the Chamber of Commerce. Many of them have walking tours, valuable information, and a variety of tourist-oriented brochures.
While visiting the wine country in California we were amazed at the high price of campgrounds. Then we discovered the Chamber of Commerce which can direct you to city parks, fairgrounds, and other sites that are about one-third the price of commercial parks. An excellent base from which to visit the Central Coast and Wine Country is: Paso Robles California Mid-State Fairgrounds (805) 239-0655. (Nancy and Geoffrey Justiss)
Camping In Europe
For anyone interested in camping in Europe, we would be glad to provide information. Campgrounds are readily available and Europeans own lots of cab-overs and trailers. Units are available for rent, but they are expensive. Most campgrounds have water and electric hook-ups, but no sewers. Many have a means of dumping that is different than in the States.
Tents are still popular and commonly in use here. We’ve even brought our
tents as luggage on flights, rented a car and took off. There’s no need for an
ice chest as groceries can be bought fresh daily. Sometimes fresh bread is
delivered to the campground. In Britain, milk and the newspaper are delivered
each morning if you order the night before.
(Jerry/Madeline Stephens)
[Ed. note: The Stephens (based in Gemany) plan to retire to a NH in
2001. Mail: PSC 1 Box 3174, APO AE 09009; email:
madeline_stephens@yahoo.com]
Potpourri
Eclair Cake Recipe
(Ed. note: This cake was a big hit at the rally. Send your favorite recipe; we’ll make this a regular item if we get enough response)
Line 9 x 13 pan with single layer
of graham crackers
Mix 2 small packages of instant
vanilla (or any flavor you like) with 3 cups milk
Mix in 8 oz package Cool Whip
Spread half of mixture on top of
crackers. Place another layer of crackers with another layer of pudding mix on
top
Top with 3rd layer of crackers,
spread with milk chocolate (or other flavor) frosting on top of 3rd layer of
crackers
Refrigerate overnite ( will keep
for several days in fridge) (Sandy Chamberlin)
Good Place to Eat
Daddy’s Barbecue in Sanderson, TX (about 65 miles SE of Fort Stockton near the intersection of Hwy. 285 and 90). The food was delicious and the owners very friendly. Save room for their peach cobbler and ice cream.
Good Place to Stay
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area on Hwy. 283 south of Lexington, Nebraska. This is a beautiful park with lots of trees, right on the lake. Fee for spaces with electricity is $7.00. Water is available at several places in the park. Dump station. (Both “good places” from Earl & Linda Hylton)
Signs Along the Way
“Not yet famous barbecue”
(Helotes, TX)
“Come early for a back seat”
(Church of Christ, Kerrville TX)
(Ed. note—send us your favorites)