Workamping RVers Get Favorable Press

Not all fulltimers are gainfully retired. There are plenty of us out here that still need to 'bring home the bacon' even if the pan doesn't know which of the lower 48 it's in tonight. The term "workamping" was minted to describe RVers who work their way from place to place. A recent story in the Las Vegas Review Journal gave a good education to folks not familiar with the term--or the lifestyle. Most Las Vegans are thoroughly familiar with "race week" when thousands of folks descend on the local speedway, but they probably had no clues about the big contingent of workampers who help maintain the peace--if there is such a thing at a raceway.

While Las Vegas speedway officials hire plenty of security folks to handle crowd control and security for the 200,000 fans, about 100 RVers are specially "drafted" to help with the on-site RV crowd. Thoroughly briefed on the rules, they're around to gently remind those who may have not known them, or are too inebriated to remember them.

Not limited to paid race crowd control positions, the article also mentioned other types of workamping positions, and how to find out more about them. Check out the full story in the online Review Journal.

Not all workcamping positions at the track. This one is off the beaten path. Photo courtesy of South Dakota State Parks.

Tel-a-Doc--When You Can't Get to Your Regular Physician

For fulltimers, keeping up with health care often means returning to a "home state" or home base for those annual checkups and consults. But out on the road, far away from the regular physician, things can and do happen. Emergency rooms are frightfully expensive, and even those neighborhood "walk in, we'll see anybody" clinics can run up a big bill, especially when weighed against what may just be a simple problem. Enter http://www.teladoc.com/.

Tela-Doc provides a nationwide network of licensed physicians. You have a problem, you pick up your phone and call in. The company says a licensed doc will call you back, usually with in 30 to 40 minutes--wait more than three hours and the consult fee is waived. Since you pre-register with Tela-Doc, you have a "prior relationship" with the service, and you've already provided medical records that your doctor will look over before calling you. By knowing your previous history, then by consulting directly with you, Tela-Doc physicians can often prescribe treatment and order prescriptions for you to bill filled wherever you are. Of course, if your condition needs "hands-on" care, your doc will advise you to get thee to an ER, urgent care facility, or other center as needed.

What's it cost? Members of the service pay an $18.00 registration fee. When and if a consultation is required, the consult fee is $35.00. To keep your membership active, a single individual pays $4.25 per month; a member plus one dependent pay $5.75 for two per month. If you're interested in enrolling, be sure to review the website thoroughly including the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Keeping the Peace in a Small Space

I’m not sexist--and I don’t think the "better half" is either. Nevertheless, it seems that the male of the species comes in for a larger share of criticism, particularly in regard to ‘good nestkeeping.’ It seems the habits of men are the basis for plenty of humor in sitcoms; in the fulltime RV household these can become more than just a talking point, but extend to the femur of contention.

It’s been a bitter lesson for me as the man of the RV house to learn how to keep the other half happy. Something to do with living in a small space can make the failure to cart away and put away anything not in immediate use can drive her up the wall. And as dense as I am, after a while a few magazines, a pair of shoes, and an empty soda container can create a sense of "mess" that drives even me to distraction. If this can happen to folks with slide-outs, for those of us who live in old-time non-sliders find the problem multiplied exponentially.

The advice of an old restaurant manager turned RVer struck a chord: "I always told my employees, ‘Never walk anywhere in here without something in your hand.’" Before heading forward to the bedroom, I now look around the rear living room to see what could put deposited there, or someplace along the way. It’s a simple case of put it away as you go.

Of course, having "a place for everything," is critical to make all of this work. A professional organizer tells us, "The place you put something is best close to where you use the thing." In the small confines of an RV that’s not always possible, but where you can, you’ll find it easier to put whatever it is back after use, if it’s handy to you.

I like peace. Putting it away keeps the World War at bay.

Where Will You Get Your Driver's License in 2008?

A little publicized piece of federal legislation could create major headaches for fulltime RVers in the not-too-distant future. Called the "Real ID Act" the legislation passed in 2005 and signed by President Bush mandates that all states provide verification of all individual's identities when renewing their state-issued ID cards or driver licenses.

In addition to proving citizenship, those who renew (or apply for) state-issued cards will also need to provide proof of their principle residence address. Typically this would be in the form of a utility bill, showing the name and address of the applicant. What happens to the unnumbered masses of full time RVers who don't have utility bills because they don't have a "home" other than their wheeled residence?

We throw this one open for discussion, because like it or not, the deadline is coming up quickly. The law requires states to begin the verification process in May 2008. States may apply for an extension to December 2009 in order to prepare their agencies for the extra work. What will you do to "prove up" your residence? Without the federally sanctioned ID, you won't be able enter federal facilities, nor fly on federally regulated aircraft. While some states have decried the federal law and say they won't go along with it, it will certainly prove interesting to see how this all shakes out.

For a breakdown of information on this law, visit The National Conference of State Legislatures website. Or check out an entry in Wikipedia--but note, some dispute the neutrality of the article's contents.

How's Your Fulltime Insurance IQ?

Insuring your fulltime RV lifestyle is a whole new ballgame. Insuring your RV through a "auto policy" provider may cover you for on-the-road liability, collision, and comprehensive, but the similarities end there. Your RV is your home and as such, your "tail is out in the wind" if you don't have it adequately covered.

Fulltime RVer, "Firedude" has taken the time to sit down and work up a fulltimer's RV insurance checklist. He covers the usual vehicle coverage issues, and then takes it out and talks about things we sometimes forget about: Contents, rig replacement, trip interruption, and more. He also provides side comments that will help you to think your way through the whole mess. Once you have your checklist filled out, then it's time to go shopping. More on that topic in a later blog.

Download Firedude's insurance checklist from his website.

Photo copyright Russ and Tina DeMaris, may not be used without written permission.

The Pet Sitter of Your Nighmares?

When folks planning to get into the fulltime lifestyle "test it out," by taking longer trips, they sometimes want to leave "Rover" or "Fluffy" at home. What's better than sticking your pet in a kennel? Well, a home pet sitter, of course!

We found this advert in a small "shopping paper" in the Northwest:

"Neighborhood pet care... You can't always take them with you, but they can still receive loving care in their own home. Call for rates or to schedule a consultation."

Sounds good so far. But the e-mail address was a double take: imahood@____.com Great! Hire a hood to watch your pet in your home!

Solving Your "Overnight Delivery" Headaches?

Fulltime travelers know the agony that comes when traveling and needing an "overnight" delivery from Fed-X or UPS. If you have only a post office box for your mail, you know who won’t deliver there. Michael Parker of Willamina, Oregon has a suggestion: Allow the post office to receive packages from express mail companies, and charge the recipient the small fee of $3.00 for the service.

We’d add to the thought: Have the post office accept those same packages for pickup by "General Delivery" customers. Rather than having to find someone else to act as the receiver, or having those packages held at the "closest" FED-UPS etc. terminal, the package could actually be close to home--wherever it is this week.

Parker’s letter appears Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal.

Anachronism courtesy US Government Centenial of Flight and Loonie D. Mares

"King of Trails" Needs Volunteers

Got some time on your hands? The Continental Divide Trail Alliance can use your help. The Alliance is putting out a call for hundreds of volunteers who might be available for a few days, a week (or maybe more) in helping out with Continental Divide--"The King of Trails"--trail projects across the west.

"We’re looking for people who enjoy activities like digging new trail and moving rocks of various shapes and sizes," said CDTA’s Director of Vounteer Programs, Susan Westhoff. "It’s a great chance to meet new friends, enjoy spectacular scenery, have a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure and participate in one of the largest conservation projects in the nation’s history."

Well, even if you’re not into earth moving, the Alliance can still use you. Crew chefs are needed to feed all those hungry hoards who’ll need plenty of carbohydrates and proteins after moving all those rocks of various shapes and sizes. This year, nearly 60 projects are planned in five states, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, at elevations ranging from 4,000 feet to 13,000 feet. Many projects don’t require experience, and a lot of the assignments offer campsites for your RV.

Check out the Alliance’s website at www.cdtrail.org/getinvolved for more information and a volunteer application packet.

Graphics courtesy Continental Divide Trail Alliance