Tracks to Adventure RV Tours offers a free, full-color magazine that describes its popular tours. The 33-year-old business offers RVing tours to several areas of Mexico, in the mainland, Baja and the Yucatan Peninsula. Its Copper Canyon trip runs in January and February, and is one of the company’s most popular programs.

Other tours offered in 2008 included the Great Lakes area, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska (including the Alaska Highway), the Gaspe Peninsula in eastern Canada, Branson, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. In nearly all cases, RVers travel in their own coaches while Tracks handles the details like RV parks and planned activities.

Other tour destinations include the Rose Parade, the Old South, the Calgary Stampede and New Orlean’s Mardi Gras parade.

The company’s full color magazine of tours is available upon request by calling 1-800-351-6053 or visiting the Tracks website.

Laptop computers are some of the best friends a fulltimer can have. We have more or less instant communication with friends via e-mail; access to our bank accounts and bill paying services; and a host of information about whatever we might need in our lives as travelers.

But laptops, and other computes, are certainly an attraction to thieves. Here are some tips to help keep your computing experience happy and safe:

Keep Your Data Safe: If you keep sensitive information on your laptop, make sure if your computer falls into the wrong hands, at least the information is secure. If you have Windows XP Professional, you already have a way of encrypting your data to make it impossible to read without the encryption code. Or get data encryption software and use it–you can “Google” for more information on this kind of software. When using public WIFI networks, many experts recommend you don’t transmit any sensitive data (including credit numbers or bank account information) but if you must, BE SURE the little “lock” symbol shows on your web browser, and that the URL (address) of the web site begins with https (for “secured”).

Put a Strong Password on Your Laptop: Don’t use your name, your kid’s name, dog’s name, etc., as a password. Repeated numbers or letters are a sure-enough “breakable” password. Some folks use a phrase they can remember, like “My dog has fleas,” and string it together without spaces: Mydoghasfleas is the resulting password. Using symbols (%@&!) in your password makes it much tougher to break. And of course, the longer the better. Afraid you’ll forget it? Then write it down on paper–just keep the paper safe.

Backup Your System: Lost or stolen, your data’s no good if you don’t have it. Use a data backup system–the Windows XP operating system has one. Back up frequently, and back up to something OTHER than your computer. Data files might be backed up to a small “thumb drive,” or the whole hard drive to a back up system–find them at Costco or Sam’s Club inexpensively. And keep that backup drive safe too. A lost thumb drive with unencrypted information could be an identity thief’s dream.

Guard Your Laptop: Don’t leave your laptop in the toad car or the RV in plain sight. Hide it in the trunk, stick it in a closet. If you travel on a plane with your laptop, don’t put it in the overhead storage compartment, keep it with you at your seat–right in front of you.

photo: declanTM on flickr.com

For fulltimers and other RVers who spend a lot of time on the road, electronic bill paying may be neatest thing since sliced bread. Simply sit down at your computer, press a few buttons, and viola! Your bills are paid, no stamps, no post office, and no worrying about whether your bills will catch up with you, after all, you got them over the Internet.

But hold on. All this convenience can come with its own set of danger–if you don’t stay on top of the details.

This all came to our attention when we sat down to pay the cell phone bill the other day. Just before clicking the button to send of payment approval–and to have money taken out of the checking account, the family bill payer noticed a slight discrepancy: The bill was about $20 higher than normal. Had there been a flury of “out of country” long distance calls made during the month? After opening the “bill detail” pages, the plot thickened like tapioca on a hot stove.

There were no “long distance” charges. Nobody had exceeded the “allowed airtime” limits for the month. There weren’t excessive “text” messaging charges. Whoa! That was funny: In fact, there were no charges for text messages at all–and yet, there were a few text messages detailed out in the bill. That was a flag: We don’t send a lot of text messages, so we’d never signed up for a flat rate text messaging service, and yet, somehow, the company wasn’t billing us for those few messages we had sent.

A closer look at the bill revealed that somehow, somewhere, we were now paying $20 for flat rate text messaging. A quick call to the cell company customer service folks revealed that, according to their records, we had signed up for a text messaging plan. That’s when the bells rang. A month or so ago, someone who said they represented our cell phone service had called to try and talk us into signing up for such a plan. We declined, flatly and firmly. Yet, here it was.

The customer service folks were apologetic, said they’d take us off that plan right away, and credit our account for the charges. “But how is it,” we asked, “that we were signed up in the first place?” Customer service suggested perhaps we’d visited a company store recently and somehow signed up. “No, we haven’t been in one of your stores in over two years.” The “official line” was it must have been an accident. Our view? We were “slammed,” and had extra services added without our permission.

No matter how it happened, if we hadn’t spent an extra few minutes looking the bill over, who knows how long we would have gone down the road, paying for something we never requested. The moral of the story is clear: When you pay your bills–or even more so if you have “auto pay” services in place–check your bills closely. Mistakes happen. “Slamming” happens. Don’t let it dig into your bank account.

photo: *_Abhi_*on flickr.com

Not all fulltime RVers have the luxury of “taking it easy” all the time. Many have to work to supplement their social security or pension checks. But take heart, more and more, employers are recognizing what a real jewel older RVers can be.

A story appearing in Florida’s Saint Petersburg Times says that many employers are on the lookout for fulltime RVers.

The “Bible” of fulltime RVers looking for employment is probably Workamper News. The Times quotes Workamper’s Steve Anderson on the subject of the good reputation that older workers have developed. “A lot of it has to do with the maturity of the individual,” Anderson said. “They’ve worked in positions where they have longevity. They understand what it means to say, ‘If I tell you I’m going to be here for six months, I’ll stay for six months.’”

There’s a staple market for such a reputation brings. Vendors for the National Parks often look for fulltime RVers to take over duties from working concession stores to serving or cooking in restaurants in the park system–and that’s been going on for years. Now many commercial RV park and campground owners are jumping on the bandwagon. The Times quoted a spokesman for the campground franchise, KOA. “You’ve got a lot of Type A personalities, a lot of folks who have had successful careers, whose dream was to call it quits in their 50s,” said Mike Gast.

But as this blog has pointed out in the not-so-distant past, jobs for fulltimers aren’t limited to “non-professional” positions. Jobs in the medical field are pretty much recession-proof. If you’ve got a background in nursing or health-care technology, jobs are crying to be filled.

Taking advantage of your lifestyle and experiences as a full-time RVer also lends itself to other seasonal position. Down in the Southwest snowbird Mecca of Quartzsite, every year RVers are finding jobs with RV dealers. Some walk folks through the lot, helping them pick out their “dream rig,” while others may specialize, explaining the ins-and-outs of solar technology. And while the pay isn’t “super,” the local Bureau of Land Management folks fill plenty of slots with volunteers who receive a great place to stay, access to fresh water and RV dump privileges, all for free.

photo courtesy ewen and donabel on flickr.com

Many fulltimers have put both Alfa and NuWa high on their list of manufacturer’s who really build rigs for RVers. Sadly, a few months ago, Alfa permanently “pulled the plug,” shutting down its operations for good. Last week, Kansas builder NuWa said it too, was suffering economic pains.

According to a story released in the trade journal, RV Business, NuWa still holds out hope for the future. Rather than closing down all operations, the big outfit says they’ll stop producing new RVs near the end of December. And after that, “We want to take a look to see what kind of sales are going to come in 2009,” NuWa President Neil Ford told RVBusiness. “We will never close our parts, warranty and service departments. Those will remain open.”

NuWa’s Hitchhiker and Snowbird fifth wheels will no doubt continue to be popular, albeit “older” rigs as time passes.

The company says the economy has caused no shortage of problems; particularly since NuWa units are at the higher end of the price scale. With a shortage of loan money, the company figures turning new units into sales is a tough job. “We are not slamming the doors shut and saying ‘We’re, through,’ ” Ford said. “We’re definitely coming back if there’s business there.”

A few months ago the big topic in most of our minds was, “How can we afford fuel?” Now that fuel prices have dropped, you’d think we’d get a bit of a relief. But many fulltimers are now worrying about pension funds and 401K plans. To give a hand, here’s the first of our occasional series, “Money Saving Tips for Fulltimers.” In our first installment, we’ll talk about a few tips to help keep food in the belly, while keeping the wallet from shrinking.

Eating “in” can be a real money-saver. After all, the cost of home-cooked foods is most always cheaper than you can buy in a restaurant. Still, even the seeming “laid back” fulltime lifestyle does have the occasional need for fast food. Here are some fast food items you can make in your own galley, stuff away in the freezer, and pull out on those occasions when you’re in a hurry–and still have it cheaper than at McDoogies.

Breakfast Sammies: Like the old Egg-McDoodle? Then snap up a package of English muffins, cheese of your choice, a package of sliced Canadian bacon, and a clutch of hen fruit. Fry up the egg, best to a fairly solid yolk consistency. Slip it in between the muffin halves, and add a slice of meat. Wrap ‘er up tight in plastic wrap. When you’ve got several completed, put them all in freezer bag and stash away in the freezer. To reheat, we suggest you DON’T use “high power” as it will make your muffin tough. We often use “defrost” to reheat bread-containing items.

Burrito-A-Go-Go: One of the male-side’s favorite luncheon items. First, cook a beef roast for dinner, and don’t oink out. Now put the leftover meat in a pan with added juice or water, add Mexican spices (oregano and cummin are really good), and slowly cook it until the meat falls apart. If your original roast had veggies, now’s the time to add them, chopped down to size. Lay out a good sized tortilla and lay the meat and veggies in the middle. Fold the tortilla around the meat to blanket the goodies inside. Again, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and bag the whole thing before freezing. Reheat like you would the breakfast sammies. While corn tortillas taste better, the flour ones hold up better in this operation.

Does saving money mean forgoing restaurant fare? Not at all. While fast food can be cheap, it isn’t always best for the health. You can still visit mid-range rest-o-raunts at a fair price. Here’s some tricks:

Partner up: Instead of ordering two full meals, find something you and your mate can agree on, order that and an appetizer and split it.

Do the Doggy Bag: Want a whole meal to yourself? Fine and dandy–but strategize your eating. Start with the veggies and starches and go slowly when you hit the meat. Often times you can walk away with a leftover slab of whatever, great for making lunch in the next day or two. We like hitting the restaurants that offer a really great salad bar deal with an entree. Sizzler restaurants have a great deal for seniors. We hit the salad bar and browse well, then start on the main course. Invariably we’ll have a whole ‘nother meal in the styro carryout box when it’s time to hit the road.

Watch for Specials: Daily specials, lunch specials, and early bird specials are often good portions at less expensive rates. With the fulltimers’ time flexibility, it’s not hard to get the early-bird deals. Just as long as they’re not worms, it’s good by me . . .

Careful on the Beverages: Some places have inexpensive coffee, but most–whoa! If you can live without it, order ice water. We often do this, and find asking for a few lemon slices can make that normally bland (or chlorinated) restaurant water taste pretty good–especially when it saves nearly $5 on the tab between the two of us.

Good Fast Food? Sure you can still eat healthy in a fast food joint. One of the distaff’s favorites when traveling is to whip into a Wendy’s and order off their “value menu.” She picks out a side salad, a container of chili (cheese on the side), and a little bag of taco strips. For less than $3 she creates her own healthy “taco salad,” that satisfies appetite, health, and budget.

Squirrel photo courtesy Audreyjrm529 on flickr.com

When Uncle Sam made direct deposit of Social Security payments available, it was a gift to many RVers. No longer worrying about whether that paper check would finally chase you down wherever you were on the road, you figured your money was in the bank on “pay day.”

But what about those who don’t have a checking account–or don’t want one? Now Uncle Sam’s thinkers have come up with a new wrinkle: Direct Express Debit Cards. Think of it as a government issued debit card. Every month on your Social Security retirement or disability payday, the Treasury “recharges” a debit card for your use. You can buy stuff where most debit cards are accepted, or trot them into a handy ATM to access cash. You can make Internet purchases for sellers who accept debit cards.

These cards are issued free by the government. But are they really “free”? To an extent. You’re allowed to make one cash withdrawal at participating ATMs for every deposit the government makes. The government provides a toll free number or web site where you can find out if there’s a participating ATM near your location. Or, like many, you can make a purchase and get cash back at most retailers. Walmart rolls out a lot of cash on or near most Social Security paydays. If you need cash from an ATM after you’ve made your “free” withdrawal that month, then you’ll pay 90 cents a withdrawal.

The card offers other perks: You can sign up to be notified when your card balance drops below a certain point. You can also make free withdrawls at many banks and credit unions, provided you don’t mind waiting for bankers’ hours, as you’ll need to visit a teller to get your cash. The government, of course, suggests safety and security as being some of the biggest draws for the card.

Sign up by calling the government’s enrollment center at 877-212-9991, or visit on the web at www.usdirectexpress.com

As winter looms around the corner, plenty of folks from the north are looking to warm their feathers in the Sun Belt. Temporary job opportunities pop up, and many snowbirds are filling them.

What about the other side of the coin? When the weather heats up next spring, there are plenty of folks who will “abandon ship” and head north. If you’re a nurse and looking for a place to cool off next year, Galesburg, Illinois would like to think about them.

According to a story in the Galesburg Register Mail, a snowbird nurse got the idea going. Lauren Heiy, a retired RN, spent a couple of years snowbirding in Brownsville, Texas. There she took on part time work in an area hospital. Brownsville gets a bit on the warm side when winter ends, and Lauren got to thinking. “I often wondered, why don’t hospitals in colder climates offer the opposite, a ‘sunbird’ program? After all, during the summer, unit-based staff wants vacation, and what better way to staff than your own PRN group of nurses?”

When Lauren got “home” to Galesburg, she floated the idea to officials at the local Galesburg Cottage Hospital. Administrators didn’t take long to find the idea a hit, and now have started a sunbird nursing program where semi-retired nurses who want a cooler summer spot can drop anchor and work for them.

Galesburg is town of some 35,000 residents where nursing goes back a long way. During the Civil War, Galesburg resident Mary Ann Bickerdyke saw a need among Union soliders for good nursing care. Leaving her Galesburg home, she became one of the most outspoken and beloved nurses under the command of General William T. Sherman, who himself reportedly said of Bickerdyke, “”She outranks me!” “Mother” Bickerdyke went on to establish some 300 hospitals for treating Civil War soldiers.

Interested in doing a stint in Galesburg? Call Cottage’s Human Resources office at (309) 345-4250

In the days before the Industrial Revolution, travelers washed clothes in whatever body of water was handy, maybe beating them with rocks for a cleansing effect.

Today’s RV travelers, happily, have a few more choices available. Many RVers take their clothes to a nearby laundromat or facility in an RV park. Still others have washing facilities in their rig. How about you? Are you wondering about whether to equip your current or future fulltime rig with your own washing setup?

Making the choice isn’t always easy, and much depends on your lifestyle. RVers who spend a lot of time boondocking or are generally away from hookups almost universally agree–washing machines are a useless weight to lug around for no reason. Face it, one of the more popular washer/dryers among RVers uses nearly 20 gallons of water a load. That’s a lot of fresh water to pump out of your tank, then turn around and stick in the gray water tank–provided you have a generator to run the machine anyway.

But for those who spend more time with hookups, your own facilities look a lot more attractive. Visions of no longer sitting around in the sometimes smelly, always noisy, frequently crowded public washamats is a great thing. But hang on and consider all the factors.

Most “RV” washers take relatively small loads of clothes. Survivors of the RV laundry wars often recommend you take sheets, jeans, or loads of towels to the laundrymat and save the RV washer for “lighter” stuff. Drying times are usually horrific: Unless your dryer is a 220 volt model, drying times can drag on like a bad cold.

Combo washer/dryers do take up less space than individual units; but again, they come with a price. Not only financial–they’re heftily priced, but often they’re “non-vented” when it comes to drying. How’s that? A non-vented dryer heats up the drum full of clothing, producing a load of steam. To get rid of the water vapor, the machine pumps cold water over the drum to condense the steam, then pump the condensate out through the drain. Could easily take another 5 gallons of fresh water to “dry” the load.

If you still figure you want to go the ‘in your rig’ route, here are some tips:

First, don’t necessarily settle for an “RV specific” machine. We have “home style” Maytag equipment in our park trailer. Our washer capacity of 2.4 cubic feet is 50% larger than the typical RV washer. Not withstanding, the electrical current draw of 4.5 amps doesn’t come close to the taxing 13 amps of another RV washer on the market–that’s a washer NOT a dryer. And our washer and dryer sizes are comparable to RV washers and dryers.

When using an RV clothes cleaning system, keep the loads small–do more loads. In reality when it comes to drying time, you’ll save a lot of time. And if using a non-vented dryer system, don’t be shocked when the “dry” clothes come out damp. That’s normal–just wait a few minutes before you fold them and that damp feeling will go away. Some even say they find that the non-vented machines dry better if you actually fold heavy clothes before drying them. Sounds crazy, and we’ve never tested the practice, but that’s what some say.

photo courtesy cindianajones on flickr.com

With the economy in a turmoil, some wonder about the wisdom of buying an RV. But for many, the lifestyle will not be denied. In reality, living in an RV is in many respects much cheaper than a stix-and-brix situation. It’s a smaller space to heat and cool, fewer taxes to pay, and while you may not be traveling as much as in times past, changing the scenery is still yours at the turn of the key.

Economic conditions have also broadened the possibilities of what to buy in the RV market. While families that have bought rigs that they find they can’t afford, the market may just be ripe for a used RV purchase. Not withstanding, the huge amount of depreciation faced by new rig buyers isn’t in the picture, and used rigs have usually had “the bugs worked out.”

What should you keep in mind when shopping? If buying a motorized unit, check over the power train carefully. Ask for service records to ensure the previous owner kept up with scheduled maintenance. If you really like the rig, spend a few bucks and have a competent mechanic look it over.

Motorized or towable, the living quarters need to be sound. Walk through the rig and open all cupboards and cabinets. The ones near the ceiling could be hiding stains that could well indicate roof leaks. Soft spots in the floors are other indicators that weather has intruded. A smell of mold or mildew is another tip-off that water infiltration has taken place.  RUN! Don’t walk away from a rig with water damage.

Outside, run your eye along the sidewalls. Fiberglass sided rigs showing signs of layers of fiberglass separating are a bad sign. Check around the wheel wells for any signs of cracking. Always take a look up “topside” if you like the rig–we know a couple who bought their first rubber roofed rig and didn’t. They spent a lot of time and frustration fixing roof problems they never thought to look at.

What about worn carpeting, faded furniture, or out-of-fashion interior fashions? A low price might make the rig an attractive purchase with a little refurbishing in mind.

Photo courtesy Jacob…K on flickr.com

A fulltiming couple we know just completed their annual foray into the frustrations of tax filings. Yep, they had to file for an extension this spring, and spun it all out until nearly the last minute. “What’s almost as bad as having to do the paperwork,” said one, “is trying to figure out what to do with all the dratted paperwork!”

Sure enough, for those of us who live in small–and definitely finite–spaces, keeping tax records can be a real test. One of the major US legal firms, Duane Morris, says that it’s not just a matter of hanging onto your paperwork for a year or two. In an internet article published by the firm, their view of how long to keep tax records could prove to be scarey for many of us, “An arguably good rule of thumb for keeping tax records is to add a year to the IRS statute of limitations period. Using this approach, you would retain your income tax records for a minimum of four years (three-year general statute of limitations period plus one year), but it may be more prudent to retain them for seven years, which is what the IRS generally, yet informally, recommends.”

For RVers who are self-employed, visions of ledgers, receipts, and other underlying documents floating around in the “basement storage” for the next seven years takes on a nightmarish quality. Happily, that same legal firm provides a possible way out: “The IRS permits taxpayers to store certain tax documents electronically. Although the electronic storage rules are aimed primarily at businesses and sole proprietors, they presumably apply to individuals as well. These rules permit taxpayers to convert paper documents to electronic images, destroy the paper documents and maintain only the electronic files. Certain requirements must be met to take advantage of an electronic storage system (e.g., the electronic storage system must ensure that an accurate and complete transfer of the hard copy information is achieved and that an efficient retrieval of the information is possible, among other requirements).

Many computer-savvy RVers already have the necessary equipment for that job. Some printers have built-in scanners, and nearly all laptops will “burn” CDs. Attaching little receipts to full size sheets may make the scanning process easier. Not “techie” enough for the task? Check around, you’ll likely find a business that will do the scans for you. Just bear in mind that any documents you “turn loose” for processing are sensitive, and in this era of identity theft, be careful whom you choose.

We find it helpful to keep a hard copy of each year’s tax return available for reference. We also keep a copy of the return as an electronic “pdf” file so we can print one should a need arise.

Finally, the big disclaimer: This information is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult with an attorney or tax professional before undertaking “alternative” storage of tax records, and to determine exactly what records you should preserve and for how long.

“The one who dies with most toys, wins!” So goes the ‘materialist’s maxim.’

For those who would take up the road to fulltime RVing, unloading clutter from their lives is a necessity, unless they can somehow bring everything along. For some, it almost becomes a chicken and egg thing: Do they take up RVing to rid their life of clutter, or do they rid their life of clutter to go RVing? For most it is the latter, but surprisingly, some are taking up the RV lifestyle to simplify their lives, and getting rid of possessions is part and parcel.

Recently, the Arizona Republic visited with a family who are leaving the “traditional” house, garage, and storehouses of possessions behind to live for a couple of years in a travel trailer as an experiment in family closeness. Elizabeth Dahlberg put it this way, “We would walk in our home after being up at the lake and just be overwhelmed with everything we had. You almost feel like you’re drowning. You’re so overwhelmed that everywhere you look there’s something to clear off the counter.”

Some interesting tips surfaced in the story that fulltimers and those who’re working toward the goal can apply in their own attempts to lighten up on the possessions. “A wedding memento, vacation souvenir, piece of clothing or art and so on loses its emotional power, as do most things,” said Judi Culbertson.

Culbertson is the author of The Clutter Cure, a book on getting your life simplified. She adds, “And as soon as you don’t feel that emotional tug when you see them, it’s time to say goodbye. Emotionally, that keeps you ready for new adventures.”

Another ‘clutter expert,’ and author of The One-Minute Organizer is Donna Smallin. Her comments also appeared in the Republic story and bear some thought by those seeking to minimize possessions.

“We fill our lives with stuff because we’re trying to fill a void, perhaps emotional or spiritual, she said. And although she applauds people who crawl out from under all their stuff to explore deeper connections to spirit and family, she cautions them to check the bad habits that led to their cluttered lives.

“Smallin suggests starting with two questions before bringing anything new into the home: ‘Do I need this, or do I just want this?’

“Most things are a ‘want.’ Even then, people should consider whether there is something in their home that can be repurposed to perform the same function or whether the desired item can be borrowed.”

One RVing couple we know sold their relatively small (900 square foot) home a couple of years ago. Since then they’ve been laying out $65 a month for a storage unit to save some of the things left over from their sticks-and-bricks life. Slowly though, they’ve pared down those things, and plan on having a big garage sale in a few months. After that, it’s ‘bye bye’ to the storage unit rent–and the extra clutter. They will tell you, that even living in the confined space of an RV, keeping down the clutter of “stuff” brought home is a constant challenge. But they add, it’s a fight well worth it.

Photo: frozenchipmunk on flickr.com

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina — Fulltime RVers understand the need for the availability of inexpensive–preferably free–camping. After spending some long hours on the road, we know how important it is to be able to pull off the highway for a few hours and get some rest. It’s not just a “lifestyle” concern, it’s also a matter of safety. While hard numbers are hard to get a handle on, any road trip will tell you that plenty of RVers find big box stores–particularly Walmart–to be the respite they need from highway hypnosis.

Usually within easy distance of the highway, with easy pull though access, and shopping close at hand, Walmart and similar operations are just what those making a quick overnight stop are looking for.

But there’s always the fly in the ointment.

Roanoke Crossing’s gadfly of the day is one Fred Israel, apparently a self-appointed savior of the RVing community. Concerned that RVers could be endangering themselves, Fred sent a letter to the local planning board. According to a story in the local paper, Daily Herald,  Israel writes the board that, “Parking lot camping can be hazardous to the health and safety of RV enthusiasts and the public.” Asking the government agency to act on the issue, Israel fleshes out the ‘hazards’ by adding, “They can be a threat to public health and safety and impose a burden on local taxpayers. Also, they encourage crime and can generate refuse and garbage.”

Hitting the planning board members where they live, Israel also wrote, “Out of town RV enthusiasts place an undue burden on local government not offset by taxes or fees paid by these visitors when they use free overnight parking . . . Actually you are condoning people to sleep on our streets by overlooking the whole picture of why this should not be permitted. The state of North Carolina (Welcome Centers) do not allow overnight camping.”

Shades of Professor Harold Hill ala The Music Man, there’s indeed trouble in River City. Before you know it, those RVers will be ‘peeking in the pool hall windows after school.’ But as in the case of Prof. Hill, Fred Israel may have his own agenda: Israel owns the RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads, an area RV park.

Israel obviously has deep feelings on the matter, when he writes regarding ‘out of town RVers’: They compete unfairly with local RV parks and campgrounds that are a part of the community which pay taxes and fees that support local government services benefiting all citizens. The result is to deprive these local RV parks and campgrounds of essential business and to reduce their positive contributions to the community.”

At least one member of the planning board is interested in Israel’s concerns. City Planning and Development Director George W. Gurley Jr. told the Herald that he feels the planning board should look into the matter more deeply. “We’re probably talking about something that’s going to be a sensitive issue. We want to look at it and evaluate it,” Gurley said. It’s possible that George Gurley would like to hear the other half of the argument. His e-mail at city hall is ggurley@roanokerapidsnc.com.

Unless and until the planning board decides to clamp down on ‘parking lot camping,’ RVers will probably continue to haunt the local Walmart. Their alternative is to stay overnight at Fred’s place for anywhere between $37 and $42. Of course, at Fred’s you get electricity.

By some reports, there are over 250 campground hosts working throughout the state of Colorado. And they must have some stories to tell. Aside from giving directions, stocking toilet paper, and selling firewood, it’s hard to imagine part of the duty assignment for the camp hosts up at Wolford Mountain Campground: Hand over $20 bills to those who bring a live pike caught in the adjacent reservoir.

Live pike? Apparently somebody with an unbalanced view introduced the pike to the Colorado river-fed reservoir earlier this year. The pike are pretty predatory, and the local water district wants to get rid of them as quickly as possible, hence the bounty.

Paying for pike is all in a day’s work, as they say.

The Denver Post reports that campground hosts really save the day for Colorado parks of all sorts, from local operations to federally owned.

“It’s a perfect situation for three or four months,” said Kevin Bittmann who, along with his wife, Karen, works as a Cherry Creek State Park campground host.

“We won the baby-boomer jackpot. We spend summers here, and then we travel and go back to our house in Arizona in October until the next camping season.”

According to the Post, a campground host is, “a hybrid of camp counselor and den mother. (Law enforcement is left to park rangers or local sheriffs’ offices.)

“They greet new campers and bid farewell to the departees. They make sure tents are staked in the designated area and shush noisy campers during nighttime quiet hours. Perhaps most important, they answer many, many questions.”

And its an assignment that exceeds the description of a “job.” Says Bittman, “You know how you feel when you go to Hawaii or someplace and you don’t want to ever go home? That’s how we’ve always felt here.”

Photo: Denver Post

To learn more about opportunities as campground hosts in state parks around the US, check out the author’s book, Camp Hosting USA, available at a special price through RV Bookstore.

Tim and Renee McRae didn’t dream about running away to join the circus when they were kids. They just sort of fell into it. Today, and their two teenage sons live in Class A motorhome and travel most of the year, making the circus a family business.

Tim recently told a blogger for the SF Weekly.com that his start with the circus got a most unusual start. In the mid 1990’s he had a far more ordinary job: Forklift driver in a warehouse. But all that changed with a late night telephone call from a cousin with a problem. It seemed the relative had started a circus, but his “big cat” act man wasn’t able to get along with the lions and tigers (oh my!). He offered the job to McRae who recalls, “I said ‘Heck yeah!’” recalls McRae with a laugh. “Actually, I said I’d have to talk to my wife, but she said she’d always liked circuses so let’s go. Later that month I was in the cage with four lions on one side of me and three tigers on the other.”

Ah, but what about the children? It didn’t take long for them to get in on the act. Jordan, now 18, and Dorian–two years younger–have parts with the family’s current employer, Circus Vargas. Juggling and unicycle riding are their forte, when they aren’t home schooling. An older brother, Adrian is off working for Ringling Brothers, working as a lighting technician.

Being on the road in an RV for a circus family does have its differences from other fulltimers. Sticking to the show schedule 44 weeks a year does tend to tie you down. But McRae looks at his life as a bit of an adventure, “Circus life is cool. We have our own little community and we travel around from place to place,” he says, stubbing out his cigarette. “If you’ve gotta do something, this ain’t bad.”

Stock photo: http2007 on flickr.com