Celebrities Enjoy RVing Too
Would it surprise you to run into Matthew McConaughey in the clubhouse while staying in an RV park? Read about him and learn which other celebrities enjoy RVing here.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Helpful Information About RVing
One of the things I try to do in this column is to provide helpful information to those of you who are thinking about buying an RV, or those who have one and are planning to hit the road fulltime. Your questions let me know what I need to write about. I just realized that I have been negligent in passing on useful Websites after I received some questions about towing a 5th wheel and Internet service while traveling.
Internet
I think most of you probably already know that we use, and are happy with both Verizon cell phone and wireless Internet services. Cell phone usage is limited to 450 minutes each month with free service on weekends and late evenings. We’ve only exceeded our limit one time, and that was only by a couple of dollars, and was because we were near relatives and were constantly phoning back and forth to each other. Internet usage is unlimited—and hopefully—it will remain that way. We pay about $60 per month in addition to the cell phone service, which is about $40. So for a total of $100 per month plus tax and surcharges, we can keep in touch as much and often as we need.
RVing
There is a website where you can buy books and DVDs on RVing and various, related topics, including cooking in an RV. It is located at www.RVBookstore.com. Also, you can receive a weekly newsletter that provides all sorts of useful information, including RV product recalls, by contacting www.RVTravel.com. I don’t know if there is a charge for this newsletter.
If you are retired from the military or still on active duty, you will find lots of information on military camping at: http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/militaryrving/. You can also buy a guide book to campgrounds on military installations, called FAMCAMPS, at the above mentioned RV Bookstore.
RV Travel also provides a link to a site that tells about work-camping while RVing. Many RVers work for a few hours each week. Some earn a free site with hookups by volunteering as hosts at federal and state park campgrounds. Others earn extra income by working at RV parks or at places like Disneyworld, Silver Dollar City, and Dollywood. Some folks work in the North during the summer and the South during the winter months.
I hope these links will help answer questions you may have about the RVing lifestyle. Meanwhile, I will continue to update you with any news and information I come across. Happy travels to those of you who travel by RV, and happy dreams to those who want to.
One of the things I try to do in this column is to provide helpful information to those of you who are thinking about buying an RV, or those who have one and are planning to hit the road fulltime. Your questions let me know what I need to write about. I just realized that I have been negligent in passing on useful Websites after I received some questions about towing a 5th wheel and Internet service while traveling.
Internet
I think most of you probably already know that we use, and are happy with both Verizon cell phone and wireless Internet services. Cell phone usage is limited to 450 minutes each month with free service on weekends and late evenings. We’ve only exceeded our limit one time, and that was only by a couple of dollars, and was because we were near relatives and were constantly phoning back and forth to each other. Internet usage is unlimited—and hopefully—it will remain that way. We pay about $60 per month in addition to the cell phone service, which is about $40. So for a total of $100 per month plus tax and surcharges, we can keep in touch as much and often as we need.
RVing
There is a website where you can buy books and DVDs on RVing and various, related topics, including cooking in an RV. It is located at www.RVBookstore.com. Also, you can receive a weekly newsletter that provides all sorts of useful information, including RV product recalls, by contacting www.RVTravel.com. I don’t know if there is a charge for this newsletter.
If you are retired from the military or still on active duty, you will find lots of information on military camping at: http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/militaryrving/. You can also buy a guide book to campgrounds on military installations, called FAMCAMPS, at the above mentioned RV Bookstore.
RV Travel also provides a link to a site that tells about work-camping while RVing. Many RVers work for a few hours each week. Some earn a free site with hookups by volunteering as hosts at federal and state park campgrounds. Others earn extra income by working at RV parks or at places like Disneyworld, Silver Dollar City, and Dollywood. Some folks work in the North during the summer and the South during the winter months.
I hope these links will help answer questions you may have about the RVing lifestyle. Meanwhile, I will continue to update you with any news and information I come across. Happy travels to those of you who travel by RV, and happy dreams to those who want to.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Make Money Writing Press Releases
As you’re all probably aware by now, I’ve never depended solely upon income from published articles and books. Instead, I decided almost at the start of my career to also offer writing services to businesses. They need what we offer, and therein resides a great opportunity for all writers. And there’s no better time to offer writing services than during a recession.
I started as a writer during one of the lowest points in the economy during the Reagan/Bush administrations, when the Seattle area was in a deep recession. Okay, so the politicians called it a little downturn in the economy, but for those living there during the ‘80s, it was anything but insignificant. More and more people were starting their own businesses because they had been laid off from jobs in the corporate world. Remember, this was the era of downturns in the fishing and logging economy, plus the savings and loan scandals and corporate takeovers—meaning more job losses. What do people just starting a business need most, no matter how small their enterprise? Publicity! What do newspapers and magazines want most during economic downturns? Stories about new and/or successful ventures. And that’s where you, as a writer, come in.
If you don’t know how to write a “news” or “press” release, read my book, Portable Writing to learn how. Also, read some of the articles in the business section of your local newspaper and you’ll spot stories based upon news releases. Almost all stories printed in the business section arrive on the editor’s desk via press releases. They tell about new ventures, what product or service they offer, who their customers are, and maybe a little about the background of the new business owner. Pay attention to what information is provided in the articles and develop a questionnaire for your clients based upon that information. Then write a news release about your own writing venture and mail it and a photo out to all the newspapers in your area. Remember, you’ll want publicity for your writing skills, too. Make it fascinating enough, and a local television station may want to cover it, too.
Sometimes the media uses press releases as written, and sometimes they expand the coverage into a long article, especially if the business is unusual or the only one of its type in the community. As a writer, it is up to you to write a release that plays up the significance of the business to the community.
A chapter in Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom covers news releases, and includes a sample copy of a press release that was published in magazines and newspapers. Other books on news releases are available at your library or through Booklocker.com and Amazon.com. You’ll need to know how to format a news release and what information to provide at the top of the page so that an interested editor can get in touch with your client, or you as their public relations representative (if you will also be fulfilling that role).
This is a great project to jumpstart your writing career—and before you know it—it will lead to so many more writing opportunities!
As you’re all probably aware by now, I’ve never depended solely upon income from published articles and books. Instead, I decided almost at the start of my career to also offer writing services to businesses. They need what we offer, and therein resides a great opportunity for all writers. And there’s no better time to offer writing services than during a recession.
I started as a writer during one of the lowest points in the economy during the Reagan/Bush administrations, when the Seattle area was in a deep recession. Okay, so the politicians called it a little downturn in the economy, but for those living there during the ‘80s, it was anything but insignificant. More and more people were starting their own businesses because they had been laid off from jobs in the corporate world. Remember, this was the era of downturns in the fishing and logging economy, plus the savings and loan scandals and corporate takeovers—meaning more job losses. What do people just starting a business need most, no matter how small their enterprise? Publicity! What do newspapers and magazines want most during economic downturns? Stories about new and/or successful ventures. And that’s where you, as a writer, come in.
If you don’t know how to write a “news” or “press” release, read my book, Portable Writing to learn how. Also, read some of the articles in the business section of your local newspaper and you’ll spot stories based upon news releases. Almost all stories printed in the business section arrive on the editor’s desk via press releases. They tell about new ventures, what product or service they offer, who their customers are, and maybe a little about the background of the new business owner. Pay attention to what information is provided in the articles and develop a questionnaire for your clients based upon that information. Then write a news release about your own writing venture and mail it and a photo out to all the newspapers in your area. Remember, you’ll want publicity for your writing skills, too. Make it fascinating enough, and a local television station may want to cover it, too.
Sometimes the media uses press releases as written, and sometimes they expand the coverage into a long article, especially if the business is unusual or the only one of its type in the community. As a writer, it is up to you to write a release that plays up the significance of the business to the community.
A chapter in Portable Writing: the Secret to Living Your Dreams with 25 Projects to Fund Your Freedom covers news releases, and includes a sample copy of a press release that was published in magazines and newspapers. Other books on news releases are available at your library or through Booklocker.com and Amazon.com. You’ll need to know how to format a news release and what information to provide at the top of the page so that an interested editor can get in touch with your client, or you as their public relations representative (if you will also be fulfilling that role).
This is a great project to jumpstart your writing career—and before you know it—it will lead to so many more writing opportunities!
“Over-the-Road Wireless For Dummies”
It was bound to happen eventually—a “Dummies” book for wireless service on the road. I haven’t personally seen a copy of this book, but ran across an ad for it in the RV Travel Online Newsletter this week. It sounds perfect for RVers who need to manage their investments or keep in touch with loved ones while on the road.
You’ll supposedly learn how to choose equipment for Internet access on the road, including how to choose a Wi-Fi service and locate hotspots as well as the many other services available while traveling. 364 pages. Go to this link to read a chapter from the book or order: http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?m=2&p=941.
It was bound to happen eventually—a “Dummies” book for wireless service on the road. I haven’t personally seen a copy of this book, but ran across an ad for it in the RV Travel Online Newsletter this week. It sounds perfect for RVers who need to manage their investments or keep in touch with loved ones while on the road.
You’ll supposedly learn how to choose equipment for Internet access on the road, including how to choose a Wi-Fi service and locate hotspots as well as the many other services available while traveling. 364 pages. Go to this link to read a chapter from the book or order: http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?m=2&p=941.
Photos of bighorns that greeted us by the entrance to the Canadian Rockies, and a photo of the bear that kept threatening a man trying to get too up-close and personal.
RVing the Canadian Rockies – Mom Sees a Bear in the Wild
Sweeping views of boundless scenery and amazing wildlife—those are what we remember from our trip through the Canadian Rockies. When we left Edmonton, we headed towards Jasper and as we entered the park, we saw our first bighorn sheep. They were in the road just outside the gate, wandering around like shaggy bums looking for handouts. Then we spotted some moose and our first bit of snow. Mom and hubby got out and threw snowballs at each other against a backdrop of moose and mountains. What a picture postcard setting that was.
Our first real crisis would involve Mom and her dream that night. She had attended church services at Shakers Acres the day before and the minister had told about a boy with some food in a tent in his backyard who was attacked and killed by a bear. So that’s what she dreamed about. “I sure hope we don’t see any bears,” she remarked as we sat at a picnic table at our campsite in the thick woods, enjoying breakfast.
Later as we drove through spectacular scenery, we suddenly spotted a black bear by the side of the road eating dandelions. No cars were parked on our side of the road, so we pulled the motorhome over to watch. A couple of cars had already pulled up on the other side, and two guys were out in the middle of the road trying to get pictures. One had his camera on a tripod and kept inching closer and closer to the bear.
I decided I had to get out of the motorhome to get some pictures, only I’m not your average idiot. I planned to stay behind the RV and use my telephoto lens! As I grabbed the camera, Mom screamed in a terrified voice, “You’re not going out there, are you?”
“Of course I am,” I replied. “The bear’s got enough bait right there in the middle of the road. He won’t be interested in me.” I hurried out the door and positioned myself behind the back of the motorhome where I could make a quick getaway if needed.
Well by this time, that bear was getting real irritated with the guy who kept moving closer to it, so it charged him. When the man backed up a few feet with his tripod, the bear turned and went back to its dandelions. However, the numbskull with the tripod kept pushing his luck, and the bear made a few more running, threatening steps towards him. Then it made a sudden turn and slowly ambled my direction. By this time, several cars had pulled up behind us and stopped to watch. As I backed up and turned to go in, I bumped into Mom, who had plastered herself against my back so she could watch over my shoulder.
We got untangled and headed inside, but not before the bear sashayed past us as if we were the least of its worries. I guess it knew it was outnumbered, so it simply strolled between the vehicles to get to the huge meadow on our side of the road where it didn’t have to put up with the curious crowd of gawkers.
Mom had seen her bear and unlike her dream, she had survived it. We continued our trip down to Lake Louise, Banff, and on to Radium Hot Springs before heading back to Washington State. The only other critters we saw were mountain goats, marmots and some tiny chipmunks that came up to us at Lake Louise. All the wildlife helped create wonderful memories of the trip.
Mom was in her late seventies then, and this wouldn’t be her last excursion with us. Her next short trip with us would infuriate her and provide hysterical laughter for us and some museum employees in Montana.
Personalizing Your RV’s Interior
While many people are happy with their new motorhome, travel trailer or 5th wheel’s interior, sometimes it needs tweaking to fit the new buyer. And sometimes, it doesn’t fit the buyer’s need at all. If you’ve been shopping for a new RV and can’t find one that suits your purposes, sometimes it’s more economical to shop for a used RV and redesign the interior to fit your own needs. That’s what we did the first time we bought a motorhome.
It quickly became apparent that no new vehicle was going to have the furnishings and accessories we desired, so we shopped for an older, top-of-the-line motorhome that we could furnish to suit us. Our “new” motorhome had orange shag carpeting, woven wood blinds, orange striped furniture, and it held an icemaker and a curved banquette that we didn’t need. It had been a party machine owned by a businessman who used it to entertain. Bought at a reasonable price, we felt no sadness at ripping out the previous owner’s favorite pieces and replacing them with furnishings that fit our lifestyle.
First, we ripped out the carpeting and had it replaced with commercial grade plush carpeting in a taupe color with an occasional blue thread. Since we already had the furniture out to replace the carpeting, we sent driving seats and the sofa out to be reupholstered in a taupe, cream and blue patterned fabric. Next, we threw away the dusty woven woods and replaced them with peach colored blinds, and we covered the dark wood paneled walls with a light-colored, textured wallcovering. The kitchen didn’t need much since it had a rust colored tile backsplash, neutral counter tops and good appliances, including a built-in blender and ice crusher (from its party days). We bought an occasional chair in taupe, and moved our computer desk in where the icemaker had been. The dining banquette was torn out (except for the seating section over the furnace), and replaced with a 2-drawer file cabinet. The space over the seat and furnace was used for storage, so we covered the entire top with a counter top (extra working space) and a cupboard door to hide stored items.
We ended up with a motorhome that was brighter by far on the inside than the original, and with a metal body (remember those?) that when polished, shone like a new RV. Plus, we now had space for the desk I would need, and for the computer, printer, and office supplies that were necessary to run my business on the road. It would take a few more years for technology to catch up with us so that we could keep in touch by cell phone, and for the Internet to become public, but until then, we managed by pay phone and snail mail.
Next time I’ll talk about changing a few things inside a new RV to make it more workable for you, and upgrading interiors when they become shabby after too many miles of enjoying them. I’ll also include a few photos of our changes.
While many people are happy with their new motorhome, travel trailer or 5th wheel’s interior, sometimes it needs tweaking to fit the new buyer. And sometimes, it doesn’t fit the buyer’s need at all. If you’ve been shopping for a new RV and can’t find one that suits your purposes, sometimes it’s more economical to shop for a used RV and redesign the interior to fit your own needs. That’s what we did the first time we bought a motorhome.
It quickly became apparent that no new vehicle was going to have the furnishings and accessories we desired, so we shopped for an older, top-of-the-line motorhome that we could furnish to suit us. Our “new” motorhome had orange shag carpeting, woven wood blinds, orange striped furniture, and it held an icemaker and a curved banquette that we didn’t need. It had been a party machine owned by a businessman who used it to entertain. Bought at a reasonable price, we felt no sadness at ripping out the previous owner’s favorite pieces and replacing them with furnishings that fit our lifestyle.
First, we ripped out the carpeting and had it replaced with commercial grade plush carpeting in a taupe color with an occasional blue thread. Since we already had the furniture out to replace the carpeting, we sent driving seats and the sofa out to be reupholstered in a taupe, cream and blue patterned fabric. Next, we threw away the dusty woven woods and replaced them with peach colored blinds, and we covered the dark wood paneled walls with a light-colored, textured wallcovering. The kitchen didn’t need much since it had a rust colored tile backsplash, neutral counter tops and good appliances, including a built-in blender and ice crusher (from its party days). We bought an occasional chair in taupe, and moved our computer desk in where the icemaker had been. The dining banquette was torn out (except for the seating section over the furnace), and replaced with a 2-drawer file cabinet. The space over the seat and furnace was used for storage, so we covered the entire top with a counter top (extra working space) and a cupboard door to hide stored items.
We ended up with a motorhome that was brighter by far on the inside than the original, and with a metal body (remember those?) that when polished, shone like a new RV. Plus, we now had space for the desk I would need, and for the computer, printer, and office supplies that were necessary to run my business on the road. It would take a few more years for technology to catch up with us so that we could keep in touch by cell phone, and for the Internet to become public, but until then, we managed by pay phone and snail mail.
Next time I’ll talk about changing a few things inside a new RV to make it more workable for you, and upgrading interiors when they become shabby after too many miles of enjoying them. I’ll also include a few photos of our changes.
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