Most RVers head south as winter approaches. We head north to satisfy our love of winter sports: downhill and cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing. We found that living comfortably in winter environments required some modifications to our 31 ft. NH 5W. We want to share our findings with those who are thinking about an extended stay in a cold climate.
Preparation began at the factory where we specified double insulation in ceiling and floor. All tanks were enclosed, insulated and heated, both electrically and with hot air from the furnace. Also, we installed a catalytic heater. We were assured that standard wall thickness would be more than adequate for our needs.
At our winter getaway, we've been experiencing evening temperatures ranging from the single digits to the mid-twenties. We've encountered three major problems: 1) Excessive condensation on windows; 2) Heavy condensation in clothes closets and cabinets, sometimes freezing at night especially where the roof and wall meet; 3) One incidence of temporary pipe freeze-up within the coach.
We partially solved the first problem by fitting flexible aluminum-backed bubble insulation within the window frames in the evening. We solved the second problem by installing one-inch thick aluminum-backed polystyrene insulation in each closet and cabinet- a time-consuming task but effective. To solve the third problem, we leave the faucets in both sinks open slightly to prevent the water supply hose from freezing. We also employ the usual condensation-reducing techniques, such as operating vent fans during cooking and showering, and leaving cabinets open at night.
We've learned that we have to be inventive to live comfortably in cold climates in an RV. Also, even though New Horizons trailers are well-built, they require some modifications to assure comfortable living conditions when it's really cold.
We hope our experiences and associated fixes will be helpful to others
who might be contemplating cold weather living over an extended period.
(Violet and Richard Buthmann)
The holidays have come and gone. Now, we are genuinely into the new Millennium. There have been so many changes in the past 100 years. So many technological strides have been made that are truly mind-boggling.
But also, in our opinion, many of the changes have not been good for us as a nation; notably, moral laxity and much loss of the American work ethic. Well, enough of the philosophy.
Thanks to so many of you who have sent contributions for the newsletter. It's wonderful to have enough material to use for the edification of all. Please note the write-up on the NH Group link on the Horizons web site and a number of other interesting articles.
If you've sent us something, it may not appear in the next issue. But we do keep items for future use. So don't get discouraged. We'll try to get it in.
Note: re info about favorite places or parks. Please include detailed directions: highway, road numbers and conditions (narrow, smooth, rough, hilly), nearest towns, interesting side-lights.
We'll be in Bandera, TX until March 15 at Stagecoach RV Park, (830) 796-8586. Call or drop by. We plan to attend the North American Rally in Perry, GA, March 19-23. Hope to see some of you there. (Don & Helen McAnally)
Comments, ideas, questions, suggestions about most anything.
Ed.Note: Thanks for the contributions. Keep them coming. We can use a lot of material: one-liners, experiences, tips, kudos, suggestions for improving rigs, etc.
What's one of the greatest issues for us full-timers? Staying in touch! Pocketmail has revolutionized the e-mail game with their device and their $10/month service fee (soon to be increased to $13, alas). However, the Sharp or JVC blue units (BB for blue bomber) have serious drawbacks. Those of us with Palm devices now have another alternative.
After having used both extensively, I offer the following observations about the advantages of the "BackFlip" device which affixes to the Palm and turns it into a Pocketmailer.
1) It increases the maximum message length to 8 kilobytes, up from the limit of 4 which the BB's allow. That makes a big difference in receiving a satisfying message or having it truncated just when you get to the juicy part.
2) Technology has improved considerably: across Canada and much of the U.S. we haven't found a single phone which would not transmit with the Backflip, whereas it was a frequent occurrence with the BB. At Benson, AZ. we found a pay phone clearly marked "Pocketmail will NOT work from this phone" but used it easily with the BackFlip.
3) The interface on the BackFlip is more like a regular PC: one can cut and paste, add (text only) attachments, etc. Plus the stylus of the Palm device acts like a mouse, allowing the selection of text and location of the cursor with ease.
4) The BackFlip device gives you a running display of the numbers of incoming and outgoing e-mails sent/received. This is only poorly accomplished with the little lights on the back of the BB.
5) E-mails can be cut and pasted within the various functions of the Palm device, allowing them to be hot-synched with your computer. Thus, e-mails can be saved and printed out. Or write them on your PC, then mail them out with the Palm plus Backflip.
6) The Palm has several inexpensive keyboard attachments which allow for true touch-typing. Try that on a BB! Of you can learn the handwriting program, and write directly on the Palm Device.
7) The email program is fully integrated with the other functions of the PP; so you can have a SINGLE e-mail address book, safely backed up on your computer. You you can even USE it and modify it on your PC!---no duplication as you must with a BB.
For more information and pictures, go to www.pocketmail.com to see the BackFlip, and go to any of thousands of sites to read about the Palm family of devices, which go from about $150-$400. The BackFlip itself was seen recently at a CompUSA store for about $70, or obtainable directly from Pocketmail for about $99.
Changing over from a BB to the BackFlip requires a single phone call and about 5 minutes of your time. (DennisWood) woodden@bigfoot.com
Go to the Horizons web site (www.horizonsrv.com) and click on the NH Group link, designed and operated by Bill Sadd. It provides Rally info, a virtual rig tour of the Sadd's unit, and copies of the Horizon Herald for 1999-2000.
Bill is asking for contributions to the site: Tech Tips, Travel Journals,
and Virtual Rig Tours. He also welcomes suggestions for other subjects about
RVing. Many thanks to Bill for getting the site up and running and being
the web master. Bill's new site address effective Feb. 1, 2002:
http://www.fbg.net/wsadd.Email: wsadd@fbg.net.
Also, explore the Horizons web site for lots of info about NH trailers and useful links to products, services, organizations. Frank Prescher, Horizons Engr. Dept, who handles the web site, commented: "You people's pride (in ownership) really makes us feel great, and gives me and Shelly (my bride) goose bumps when ever we read the newsletter. We wish you all lots of happiness with your travels."
We put a set of VELVET-RIDE Shackles by BFGoodrich on our '97 F250 HD Diesel. It was money well spent. The truck rides as easy as a F-150 without the trailer. There is no effect on carrying capacity. If you want to know more, contact Ted Foley: tfoley@coffey.com
Receive a free USA map from National Scenic Byway. Call 1-800-429-9297. The map is great, with 81 Scenic Roads & Byways, or you can log on to the Internet at www.byways.org which has many listings of the Scenic Roads and Byways in our beautiful country. (Richard Christensen)
As a former "18-wheeler" truck driver, I learned how to back. Tips: DO NOT OVER CORRECT USE THE MIRRORS. If anyone would like some assistance in backing up, I'll be glad to help you at the next Rally. (Richard Christensen) e-mail: mrsjsc@jps.net. (Ed. note) If enough people are interested, maybe we could schedule some "backing" sessions at the rally.
We received a free booklet , "Rest Areas and Welcome Centers," from Roundabout Publications. Looks like a great resource for traveling RVers. Send check for $3.95 for shipping and handling cost to: Roundabout Publications, P.O. Box 19235, Lenexa KS 66285. Offer ends February 28, 2001 (John/Barbara Ragland)
We are Dave and Roberta Rousseau, full-time RVers for 11 years. Dave worked 30 years with Sears and Roberta worked as an RN for 16 years. We are retreads, not retirees, enjoying life and doing what we want to do. Florida residents for many years, we are now " reverse snowbirds."
Seven years ago we moved into our NH 29' superslide, rear kitchen 5W. It was the first super-slide Horizons built and the second slide room model. We don't have plans for another unit; we're still very comfortable and love our home.
For 12 years we have volunteered to work with MMAP- Mobile Missionary Assistance Program, headquartered in Calimesa, CA. The requirements of MMAPing: self-supporting, retired with a fully contained RV, and able to work 4 projects a year. We're provided with full hookups in exchange for our work.
A project is 3 weeks, four 7 hour days, starting the first Friday of the month. Work is optional for women, and then only 1/2 a day, but we do our own thing. I work on a lot of crafts.
We help camps, churches, schools, missions. The work includes building,
renovating, remodeling-anything the projects needs help with but not the
everyday work of the ministry. Even men who don't know how to do these
things soon learn as they help more experienced MMAPers. This gives us a
real purpose as we travel, enjoy fellowship and make new friends. If you
have any questions about what we do you can e-mail us at dandrrr@pocketmail.com
(Dave/Roberta Rousseau)
Report from Richard/Joanne Christensen. 1999 NH Rally--WANNABES. 2000 NH Rally--GONNABES. 2001 NH Rally--WILLABES! We will be moving into our NH in March, 2001. Our many thanks to the staff at Horizons, especially to Ken Ullmer for his patience and help.
Satellite Direct Internet Access Service
Not much to report. MSN may be ready to market through Radio Shack. Some Dish Network dealers are already marketing. Dish may offer more flexibility for RVers. (Bob Voelcker)
On the way home from the NH Rally, we spent a few days at Deadhorse Point State Park, near Moab, Utah. Good campground with electricity. What glorious views! We really enjoyed exploring the park. (John/Barbara Ragland)
Gobegic County Campground is on the west shore of Lake Gogebic in the Northwest end of the Upper Peninsula, about 2 miles South of M-28. Go slow as the sign is hard to spot on the East side of the road. Electric and water but no dump, only a "honey" wagon. Sites are level, graveled, mowed lawns. Discount for senior citizens, non-resident, $8.
Fox Park is on M-35 about 10 miles north of Cedar River. No hookups but they do have a water pump. Also, tables and fire rings. Cost was $6 and worth it. You park among the pine trees and right behind you is Lake Michigan. Use the East entrance as the West entrance will get you into some very tight turns.
This very nice campground is 3 miles East of Mt. Home, AR on US 62. Level
pads & electric, and water taps scattered around the park; bathrooms
and showers. When you turn off of US 62 going South, you come to a "T",
not marked but turn left. Travel about 3 miles on crooked blacktop to the
park. A Corp of Engineers Campground. $6 to $9 with the Passport.
(Write-up of above 3 parks by Ted and Char Foley)
From our campsite at Lakeshore RV Park we were able to take a day trip to the Soo locks in Sault Ste. Marie. We saw one of the big ships lock through. The largest lock can handle a1000 ft. long ship. There is a Visitor's Center next to the locks. Next, we visited the Valley Camp, a retired 500' long steam freighter (circa 1917) that is permanently moored in Sault Ste. Marie. Besides being able to see all of the workings of the ship, from boiler room to captains quarters, this vessel also serves as the largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes. Web site: www.soohistoricinc.sault.com.
From St. Ignace we moved to the north shore of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This now put us on the shores of Lake Superior - the largest of the Great Lakes. We stayed in the lakeshore town of Munising. This was our jumping-off place for two of the most impressive boat excursions we have ever been on - one for beauty and one for historic interest.
Just to the east of Munising begins the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - a forty mile stretch of sandstone cliffs along Lake Superior. These cliffs, ranging from 50 to 200 feet in height, were formed as far back as 500 million years ago. They get their name from the colorful stains that streak the face of the cliffs, caused by water seeping through iron, copper and other minerals imbedded in the rock. At the base of the cliffs, large caves are worn into the rock face by wave action. They're best viewed by boat, a trip of about three hours that will sometimes take you to within 25 feet of the cliffs - if the lake waters are calm.
Equally impressive was the shipwreck tour which we took in a glass-bottom boat. We saw wrecks dating back 200 years and all well preserved in the icy, clear waters of the lake. On one ship, lying in about 30 feet of water, we could see the oak-planked deck, nicely preserved - even after being submerged for over a century.(Website: www.shipwrecktours.com )
While in the Upper Peninsula, we discovered a local delicacy called "Pasties." It consists of shaved beef, diced potatoes and carrots stuffed and baked in a pie shell wrap. Each one weighs about a pound and is a meal in itself.
Our final stop was in the Upper Peninsula - Ontonagon, Michigan. This is the eastern gateway to a wilderness area called Porcupine Mountains - almost 60,000 acres which still contains virgin forest. Most of the "Porkies" is accessible only by hiking. But a spectacular view can be driven to. And near the parking area, you can overlook miles of forest surrounding the Lake of the Clouds, whose blue waters spread out 300 feet below you.
Michigan, and its Upper Peninsula, is not an area you want to rush through. If you can, allow yourself at least a month to savor its many scenic attractions. And don't forget to sample the Pasties!!! (Bob Voelcker)
(Ed. Note: Part I appeared in the Nov/Dec, 2000 Herald)