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Scenic and Historic Railroads
I watched entranced, spellbound by the black behemoths belching billowing clouds of steam, iron giants possessing unimaginable power, the strength to pull what looked to my eyes like hundreds of box cars, tank cars and flat cars, with a little red caboose at the end. A steam whistle suddenly blasted with an ear-splitting scream to the delight of boys that ran along beside the tracks waving to the enginee ? the person they all wanted to become one day.
I was only a boy then, when my dad would take me to the switching yards to watch the iron horses. But I still marvel at the sight of these massive iron locomotives, burning tons of coal in red-hot furnaces, heating their huge boilers, which sometimes, if the engineer had to make up lost time, produced a pressure dangerously close to the exploding point. The incredible energy created from simple steam would turn the engine?s wheels, some taller than a man, while puffs of steam hissed out the smoke stack and the string of cars would inch forward as the train picked up speed.
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RVing with Dogs ? Ten Good Reasons to Leave Your Dog at Home
As many of you probably know, I?m a strong advocate of RVing with dogs. I genuinely believe that dogs enrich the RVing experience and as a result, make perfect travel companions. I also think that dogs, if given the choice, would much rather hit the road with their owners, instead of staying home and waiting for the mailman.
Bear in mind ? dogs have been domesticated for more than 12,000 years. Since then, they have led hunting expeditions, fought in wars, crossed the great oceans, and even traveled in outer space. In fact, three dogs actually survived the sinking of the Titanic ? a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese. Of course, I?m not the only one that enjoys the companionship and protection that dogs provide. More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog and reliable data confirms that nearly seventy-five percent of all RVers take their dogs with them.
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What?s Happening with RV Resorts and Campgrounds?
Hey, you RVers looking for RV sites closer to nature or accommodating large RVs, the RV resort and campground industry has heard you. They know you need more space for your toy haulers and large RVs, along with access to wireless communications.
The SURVs are Here - RVers are buying and enjoying the popular Sport Utility RVs (SURVs) that enhance active outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, ATV riding, kayaking, motorcycling, and ski-mobiling. They not only require an RV that enables them to carry their equipment, they require sites large enough to accommodate the RV, toad, and associated sports equipment.
The outdoors RVers are looking for RV resorts and campgrounds near Federal and State Parks, other Department of the Interior woodlands, and private woodlands that can accommodate their outdoor activities, such as the Meredith Woods 4 Season Camping Area in New Hampshire adjacent to state maintained cross-country trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and more.
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Finally, a guide to the National Parks written for children. Join Tedrick de Bear(TM) as he travels across the United States by way of his favorite National Parks and Monuments. Filled with full color photographs and graphics designed to engage, Teddy's Travels takes you on a fun-filled venture with first-hand information, web addresses and scavenger hunts. Learn how to visit a National Park from the Visitor Center to a wilderness hike. Teddy's Travels is all about learning, through experiencing the world around you. Take photographs, write about what you've seen, collect stamps from the Visitor Centers and keep it all on one place!
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Mark… My Words
Hi, folks! Well, it's getting close to time to de-winterize those RVs. If you have questions about prepping your RV for summer travel, please submit them and I'll try to cover as many as possible in next month's newsletter. Let's get back out there!
Dear Mark,
I live in Taos, NM, and have a problem with the charging system in my '99 Ford 350 Econo Van Camper Conversion. I have three ways to charge the "house" batteries: 1) 110-volt shore power, 2) solar panel on roof, 3) diesel engine. Methods 1 & 2 work fine, but the engine does not seem to be charging the house batteries now. A couple of years ago the problem surfaced, and I solved it by buying two new engine batteries. Seems they were old, and it was all the charging system could do to charge them and nothing left over for the two house batteries. But these batteries are still in good shape, so the problem lies elsewhere.
Any thoughts appreciated,
Terry
Hi Terry,
Most RVs utilize either a diode block battery isolator or a solenoid switch to isolate the engine starting batteries from the house batteries. The way this is supposed to work is the isolator allows charge current from the vehicle's alternator to charge the house batteries but prevents the house battery circuit from drawing power from the starting batteries when the engine is off and the RV is parked. The diode-style unit is usually a small metal box with three terminals on it. The center terminal is connected to the alternator output, and the other terminals are connected to the positive post of 1) the starter battery and 2) the house batteries. You'll usually find it in the engine compartment close to the alternator. The internal diodes only allow current to flow "to" the batteries, and block current from flowing "out of" the batteries. The relay, or solenoid, style can be mounted just about anywhere. It essentially ties the positive posts of the starter battery and the house batteries together whenever the ignition switch is on. This effectively parallels the two batteries for charging. Once you determine which setup you have, it's fairly easy to test with a meter. There may also be a fuse or circuit breaker in the charge circuit and the problem may be as simple as a blown fuse or failed breaker. This website has some good, basic wiring diagrams of the different types of isolators: www.custombatterycables.com/battery_isolators.htm
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Spring Vegetable Orzo ?Risotto?
minutemeals chefs
Here is a take on risotto primavera that doesn’t require any stirring over a hot pot. Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta available in most supermarkets. Feel free to experiment with other vegetables of your choice as long as they are cut into small pieces.
Four servings
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 ½ cups orzo pasta
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
½ cup 1-inch pieces asparagus
¼ cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or mint
1 tablespoon butter (optional)
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving
Heat the olive oil in a heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the shallot and sauté until wilted and translucent, about 5 minutes. Do not brown.
Add the orzo and cook, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until the orzo is well coated. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once in a while until the orzo begins to soften.
Add the asparagus; cover and cook for another 6 minutes until the asparagus is tender.
Stir in the peas and cook uncovered until the liquid is almost gone. Remove from the heat and stir in the herbs, butter (optional) and grated cheese. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
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Verizon BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess
I can't live a day without Internet access. I do all my banking online and most of my shopping. Thus, for years I have searched for a convenient and affordable way to access the Internet on the road.
I finally found a solution that allows me Internet access virtually anywhere. The answer comes from Verizon: Wireless BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess. While others, like Sprint, offer similar service, I selected Verizon because the coverage and service plan best meet my needs. Besides, Verizon had a special offer of essentially a free wireless access card. In addition to the access card, you will need a laptop computer. The Verizon card will work with Windows 2000, XP or Vista with at least 233 MHz processor speed; although 300 MHz minimum is recommended. It will work with comparable Mac laptops.
Broadband Access is available in 245 major metropolitan areas, and 194 U.S. airports, and is expanding coast-to-coast. Outside the Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess coverage area, users have access via Verizon Wireless’ NationalAccess, available in thousands of cities and towns across the U.S.
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Internet access using a cell phone or PDA
This article is posted in RV.net?s blog:
There are many different ways to take advantage of broadband cellular for internet access. For the next few articles, I?ll cover some pros and cons of internet connections via:
- an internet-enabled phone or ?PDA? (Personal Digital Assistant) like the Sprint BlackBerry 8830
- embedded data device in a laptop like certain Dell Laptops with Mobile Broadband Technology
- dedicated data device directly attached to computer, like the Verizon UM150
- sharing the internet connection with many computer using a 3G router like the Cradlepoint MBR1000
Many consider today?s feature-rich cell phones and high-end PDA phones (Personal Digital Assistant) to be the easiest way to access the internet while ?on the road?.
Read more?
Get connected now and increase your knowledge and enjoyment of the RV lifestyle you?ve chosen. Visit blog.rv.net and get in on the latest open road chatter! And while you?re there, subscribe to the free blog feed to be notified of new postings on topics that interest you.
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Sign up for your FREE Woodall's membership for more great coupons.
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Dress For Outdoor Success
It’s not fashion–it’s a survival thing
By Rich Johnson of Camping Life Magazine
Looking good in the outdoors is not about style; it?s about wearing clothes that are functional. Fortunately, these days, outdoor clothing manufacturers are making quality gear that allows you to enjoy both form and function at the same time. If you make the right choices in the way you dress, it will dramatically impact your level of safety and comfort.
Continue Reading
Follow along with RVers and travelers just like you by reading their trip journal. We've selected the best websites of people who have traveled in North America. These travelers have agreed to let us feature their website. Take a look.
View this months featured personal website, Madolyn and Dimitri or browse other locations.
More Journals
Lost Cell Phone
I dumped my black tank into the tote tank and proceeded to the dump station. I dumped my portable tank.
Then I rinsed it once thoroughly. Then I rinsed it out again.
After the second rinse, I bent over to dump the rinse water. As I bent over, my cell phone popped off my belt, hit the cement one time and bounced directly down the hole in the septic tank. A ?T? fitting stopped the phone's travel.
An employee at the park fished it out with a grabber tool. It was toast! The only good thing that came out of the situation was I was able to retrieve all my phone contacts.
From now on I will leave my cell phone in the truck!!
Michael Hatley, OK
Submit Your Own Blooper
Tip: When listing your RV for sale, you want to get maximum exposure for your buck. rvSearch.com can help. Our listings also appear on goodsamclub.com, tldirectory.com, and RV.net. Plus, rvSearch.com?s new Assist+ listing offers Homepage Rotation and Sorts Listings to the Top of searches so buyers are sure to see your RV. You?ll even get a Money-Back Guarantee if your RV doesn?t sell in 6 months or less. Visit www.rvsearch.com
Featured RV:
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It?s finally spring time now and I know everyone has been itching to get out and de-winterize. In this issue, we look at what?s going on in the campground business with regard to accommodating owners of larger RVs; what?s available in the area of affordable and convenient Internet Access, and traveling with large dogs. In our Camping Life Corner, Rich Johnson instructs us on dressing ?for outdoor success?. Something we all would benefit from learning?
