Issue 23 of the best email newsletter for full-time RV enthusiasts and others who want to be.

An alert for this issue was emailed to more than 30,000 RVers.

This newsletter is posted early every-other Saturday morning.

Copyright R&T DeMaris

It's possible we'll draw the fire of "tree-hugging, Seattle's Best Coffee Drinking, french-fry-dipping in tartar sauce" regulars of that region, but hey, IT WAS COLD AND DAMP! A week's worth of stamping our feet and living with a space heater blasting and the LP stove running near to full bore was about as much as we could take. When that old Southwest Airlines bird lifted its feet off the runway at Sea-Tac, we were only too happy to flap our arms to gain altitude all the quicker.

The fulltiming lifestyle is good for us. During our visit, one friend looked at Russ and said, "Your health is better, isn't it?" On reflection, yes, as a matter of fact, it is. It's not just a little bit more color in the skin, it's also the greater briskness in the step. Of course, when it heats up too much in the Southwest, we'll undoubtedly pull up the stabilizers and hit the road, and guess where we'll end up for a few weeks? Back in that Old Northwest climate. By then, the rain will only show up every-other-day. But that's the beauty of the lifestyle, isn't it? It's not, "Don't like the weather, wait a few hours." It's "If you don’t like the weather, hitch up the rig."

You'll find plenty to help you start -- or enhance -- your fulltime RV lifestyle. Just stay tuned to this newsletter. Read on!

Announcements:

Be sure to check out the newest member of the RVtravel.com web family -- RVing With Dogs. If you travel with a dog, you will love it!

Don't miss Sunday's RV Travel newsletter. Visit RVtravel.com and click on "Read the RV Travel Newsletter." Learn about the editor's  Southwest roadtrip.

PAT ON THE BACK DEPARTMENT
"Just an idea for your survey, and I'm curious as well. How many people have started full-timing in the past year? [Hold that survey thought--you may just see it in an upcoming issue. And thanks for the kind words. --ED]  We are just at the beginning of our new adventure. Sold the house, stored some items, sold and gave away the rest. Bought a new Arctic Fox 28-foot travel trailer and are in the process of trying to organize everything in order to fit and not be too heavy. Our most interesting experience has been trying to figure out what clothes to have on hand at all times.

My husband and I lived in our past home for 27 years and have just decided to go fulltime. Your website has been most helpful. We are concerned about the diesel prices; it has really cut into our budget. We do know we probably need to sit in one place for a least a month, but are tied to our doctors back in Houston and have to return at least every six months. Our grandchildren are back there, so that makes it all worthwhile.

Keep up the good work and all the good ideas for us newbies." --N & W M.

"Love reading your fulltimers site. Have been trying to decide to pull or not pull a vehicle. We are not going full time but will be taking many long trips of six months or more. Thank you." --LG

There's a perenial campfire argument -- it's almost as good as Fords vs. Chevies. There's nothing like being able to leave the "house" at camp and have the truck to drive to see the sites. Of course, that may be my slant "from sitting in the fifth wheel" perspective! --ED

Thanks! We're featuring the site in this issue. Look downstream in the newsletter for more information. --ED

The visitor center explores a variety of Pacific Rim migrations, including those of people and creatures by air and sea. The center's exhibits reveal the hidden histories of various regional cultures including Portugese, Chinese, and others. See how this melting pot of humanity influenced fishing, agriculture, transportation, and early tourism. One of the exhibits, "China Beach," centers on a life-sized image of a Chinese fishing village built completely from driftwood. Or check out the lighted display that traces the annual migrations of birds, animals, and fishies.

To get there, take Highway 1 in Santa Cruz and exit at Park Avenue. For more information, call the center at (831) 335-1743.

Choosing a rig for your fulltiming lifestyle is a BIG thing. It's a huge investment both in time and money. What will you buy -- a new rig, fresh from the factory -- or a pre-owned, "experienced" RV?

Buying a new RV has its advantages. First, you'll have the security of warranties, not only on the rig itself, but on all of its components. Should something "fail" during the warranty period, you'll have the manufacturer to fall back on. On the other hand, new rigs are often rife with "bugs," that need attention. Some RVers have had the sad experience of spending literally weeks doing the "back and forth" shuffle with their dealer, trying to get problems resolved, sometimes delaying the start of their fulltime lifestyle.

On the other hand, pre-owned RVs usually have the bugs worked out. Oftentimes their owners have found they didn't have the time for an RV, and even if the rig is "a couple of years old," it may well have only gone out of the yard for a couple of weeks. These are the real "bargain" units -- ones where the original owners have been distressed, one way or the other, and have to "unload" the rig for a song.

One woman we met had the misfortune of having her husband decide he was tired of the marriage. She was left with a house with a mortgage she couldn't afford. She sold the house, and with the equity, bought a fifth wheel, previously owned by a Wyoming farmer. The farmer had recently placed his wife in a nursing home, and a short time later, he, himself, died. The kids sent the RV to auction. Not knowing much about RVs, the woman hired an RV dealer to inspect it prior to the sale, and make recommendations for repairs.

If you're not familiar with what to look for in a pre-owned RV, this is not a bad approach. DO take the time to check out the dealer, however. In the case we mentioned, the woman found the dealer's recommendations included a very pricey set of tires, and whoops, he forgot to mention she really needed a brake controller in her new pickup. Ask other RVers for their advice on a good dealer, even call the local Better Business Bureau or pick up the new DVD from the BBB, "Buying A Recreational Vehicle," hosted by RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury.

From our own experience, we've never been able to afford a "brand new" RV. Of the RVs we've owned over the years, we've been fairly happy with our own "bargains." It's meant that we've had to educate ourselves on what to look for, and of course, how to fix things when needed. Even new rig warranties eventually expire, so those who buy the new ones too, will soon have to learn how to fix--or pay the price.

Four days after getting stuck, concerned relatives called authorities who began a fruitless search. While a vague idea of their routing and destination had been provided, authorities didn't have enough to go on. Back in the hills, the family worked at digging themselves out by hand--all to no avail. Finally after two weeks, the parents took a tent and a few food supplies and hiked until "found" by a Bureau of Land Management crew. With fresh information in hand, a helicopter was able to spot the rest of the missing family, and the in-laws and children were rescued by snow machine.

The parents credit their family with sticking it out and not losing their heads. But what else helped? News reports indicate the family also had a healthy supply of dehydrated foods on board, and sufficient LP to keep the RV warm. Melted snow provided liquid refreshment. How about the rest of us? Are we prepared for the unexpected? When traveling the "boonies," have you filed a travel plan with a friend or relative so if you don't turn up on time, someone will have an idea of where to look for you? How about other critical issues--first aid kit, water, rain gear?

Don’t think, "It can't happen to me." Not too many years ago, another RVer was found when the spring melt came to the Pacific Northwest. In this case, the outcome wasn't so happy. After taking a similar "shortcut," the lone RVer also got caught in the snow. Sadly, his LP and food supplies ran out long before his rig was found. File a flight plan. It may save your life.

Boondock the Carson National Forest

NFS photo

Let the talk of boondocking come up around the campfire, eventually New Mexico's Carson National Forest will reach the surface. It shouldn't be a surprise: There are a million-and-a-half acres in Carson, and boondockers are welcome. Sure enough, there are plenty of "established" campgrounds dotted around between the 6,000- and 13,000-foot levels, some of which allow free camping.

NFS photo

But the "best" of the boonies camping is outside the established campgrounds. With very few exceptions, you can camp for free wherever you can take your RV. Getting away from the crowds is the keynote, and there are plenty of activities once you get there. Watch for wildlife -- from tiny birds to great big elk. You'll see all kinds of fur and feathers. Cool in the summer, and most decidedly chilly in winter, Carson National Forest is a big attraction to those who want to get away from "civilization."

Be sure to bring your hiking boots and fishing pole. Here are the statistics: 400 miles of streams and lots o' lakes. 330 miles of hiking, horseback, mountain bike, and 4-wheel-drive trails. Leave the RV behind and you (and your horse buddy if you like) can trek on more than 86,000 acres of wilderness land.

Call the Forest Service Office at (505) 758-6200 or visit its website.

Texas Parks and Wildlife director Phil Durocher calls carp fishing a "growing phenomenon" in Texas and the United States, whose devotees often invest up to $3,000 for fancy carp fishing rigs to try to land what fly fishing enthusiasts on the East Coast call the "golden bone," a reference to the coveted bonefish. It turns out there's some serious money in dem' bones. If you don't believe it, just ask Denton native Al St. Cyr.

On March 30, St. Cyr, who lives in Austin, reeled in a 43.18-pound carp from that city's Town Lake during the Texas Carp Challenge. That state record-setting feat earned St. Cyr a $250,000 payday from the American Carp Society, the largest prize ever earned by a carp fisherman in the U.S. Contestants came from 19 states and as far away as England and Romania.

Carp is one of the most widely distributed fish species in America. They are fast-growing, he said, and can live for more than 40 years. The world record carp — tipping the scales at 82.3 pounds — was landed in Romania. Almost all carp anglers fish from banks, not boats, which means easier access to fishing opportunities, especially for folks who don’t have boats -- consider the RVing angler.

An exchange is with a profit-making entity like a campground; you exchange work for your site. Check to see if it is a "fair" exchange. At the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, working 15 hours per week for your site would mean you are "paying" $77.25 per week for your site or about $350 per month. Is this what a long-term camper would pay? If not, there should be compelling reasons why this exchange works for you.

Jaimie Hall is the author of Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider’s Guide to Working on the Road.

Mom, Dad, and daughter Emma hit the road in an Airstream trailer last year. Of course, it helps that Dad, Rich Luhr, is the editor of Airstream's official magazine. Nevertheless, these folks are facing the very real joys and challenges of living in their RV as fulltimers. Emma is plenty young, so schooling at home is not an issue.

The Luhr's website, Tour of America -- Airstream Life, is a frequently updated blog with links to photos of their journeys. While Rich is the chief blogger, Emma, too, has her own section. It's interesting to get a child's perspective on the changing faces of America, and Mom has plenty to say about living on the road. Check out their site at http://tour.airstreamlife.com.

Got a website you like, or one of your own to share? Let us know at ftrveditor@icanrv.com.

Boondockers, on the other hand, willl want to look for ways of conserving resources. A low-voltage swamp cooler may be a great thing, particularly when spending time in hot, dry climates. If not equipped with solar panels, some new RVs still come with wiring provided for more easily hooking up solar panels.

Spend a lot of time doing public campgrounds in state parks or national forests? Remember, many older campgrounds can't accommodate the "big rigs" so popular today. Keeping the size down may help you go places where the "big dogs" have to stay on the porch!

Here's a scenario: A large trailer rolled into the park, and the passenger door on the tow vehicle opened. As the "co-pilot" strode purposefully toward the rear of the site, everyone in the campground dropped what they were doing to watch that long trailer back into place. If they expected a show with a lot of shouting and wild gesturing on the part of the rig's owners, they were destined for disappointment. While the co-pilot appeared to do some muttering, no shouts were issued, and the rig slid back into its designated spot with ease.

The secret? Good communications between the pilot and co-pilot -- facilitated by the use of a fancy piece of technology known as FRS -- which stands for Family Radio Service. While looking similar to a walkie-talkie, an FRS radio does away with a lot of the shortcomings of walkie talkies, and adds some handy features you can use for a lot more than just backing your rig into a camp site.

Want to learn more? Check out our story, "Family Radio Service -- Now You're Talking."

Andersonville, Georgia: Andersonville, or Camp Sumter as it was officially known, was one of the largest of many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. It was built early in 1864 after Confederate officials decided to move the large number of Federal prisoners kept in and around Richmond, Virginia, to a place of greater security and a more abundant food supply. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died from disease, poor sanitation, malnutrition, overcrowding, or exposure to the elements.

Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is the only park in the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history. The 515-acre park consists of the historic prison site and the National Cemetery. Congress stated in the authorizing legislation that this park's purpose is "to provide an understanding of the overall prisoner of war story of the Civil War, to interpret the role of prisoner of war camps in history, to commemorate the sacrifice of Americans who lost their lives in such camps, and to preserve the monuments located within the site". In 1998 the National Prisoner of War Museum opened at Andersonville, dedicated to the men and women of this country who have suffered captivity. Their story is one of sacrifice and courage. Visit on the web at www.nps.gov/ande/index.htm.

Yankton, South Dakota: How about a power plant tour? Try the Gavins Point Dam and Lewis and Clark Lake. Nestled in the golden, chalkstone-lined valley of the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark Lake area has grown into one of the most popular recreation spots in the Great Plains.

Gavins Point Dam was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1944, commonly called the Pick-Sloan Plan. Under this plan, Gavins Point was designed primarily to provide a steady outflow of water to assist navigation on the lower Missouri River. In addition to navigation, the project provides flood control, generation of hydroelectric power, irrigation, improved water supply, fish and wildlife management, and recreation. Tours are available Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Special tours can be scheduled by calling (402) 667-2546 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Although not free, camping is available at a nearby Army Corps of Engineers Cottonwood Campground. Call (402) 667-7873 for more information.

Portland, Oregon: Beaver Staters have something unique: Portland's International Rose Test Garden, considered the oldest official, continuously-operated, public rose test garden in the United States. Although 24 gardens across the nation now test roses, Portland is the only international rose test garden still receiving roses from around the world to be tested in this mild climate between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountain range--and is the only North American city that can issue its awards to roses of merit throughout the world.

The Test Garden is designed in rows to allow visitors to get up close and personal with the 8,000 rose bushes located here. The test roses are on a two-year cycle and are evaluated continuously throughout that period. Roses are judged on a variety of criteria including novelty, bud and flower form, color at opening and finishing, fragrance, and disease resistance. The evaluations are submitted to All-American Rose Selections, Inc. (AARS) in Chicago. Since the 1940s, the AARS has reviewed the evaluations from multiple gardens throughout the United States to award the best rose for the year. Since 1975, miniature roses have been tested and judged by the American Rose Society. The national annual winners from both associations are displayed in the middle of the garden along the center aisle.

In the southeast corner of the Test Garden is the Shakespeare Garden. Containing botanicals mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare, this garden features a formal walkway, a raised sitting area, and immaculately tended flora.

Located at 400 SW Kingston, in Portland, the garden is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free tours of the rose garden are led by rained volunteers at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays from May 23-September 30, 2006. Meet at the sign outside the Rose Garden Store. Donations gladly accepted. Phone (503) 823-3636 for more information.

Roadside Ruminations
"Make your bargain before beginning to plow." --An Arab Proverb

That's it for this edition! Wherever you go, may your travels bring you happiness. We'd love to hear from you, kudos to complaints. Let us know. ftrveditor@icanrv.com.