October 2007 Hello, Join us this month as we take a look at upcountry South Carolina's locations and attractions and Alan Lidstone gives us some pointers on finding the right ISP for our needs, and of course, Mark helps our readers with all of their RV related issues. Ann Associate Publisher Associate Publisher Tell me what you think! Issue Contents The View from the Desert RV Tech Upcountry South Carolina Personal Travel Journal Cooking on the Road Gadgets & Gear   Printer Friendly Version Book of the Month The 2008 North American Campground Directory, covering the U.S., Mexico and Canada is the most complete and reliable source of campground, service center and attraction information available. The 2008 edition has been completely updated by our inspectors in the field, with over 284,000 changes from the 2007 edition! Get the most out of your travel dollars with our special editorial section, "Discover One Tank Trips!" Organized by region and then by state or province, this special insert focuses on the best routes reachable in North American on "one tank". Order Today! Camping Blooper Generator Vs Jeep We where camped in Denver when my wife & daughter just locked our Motor Home door & I was talking to our neighbor when I heard this electric motor humming sound. I started looking around when we seen the generator slide out being extended from the front of our Motor Home & into my Jeep that was parked about 2–ft. away, It hit the front tow brackets & pushed the car backwards dislodging the front grill. I opened the door & found our Dog looking out the side window with his paw on the slide out switch on the ledge under the drivers side window. Joseph Tovo Sr, IL RVing With Your Pet The View from the Desert By Julee Meltzer When people think of full–time RVing, they often picture themselves heading down an uncharted highway towards new towns and unexplored adventures. However, every now and then, adventures come to you when you're sitting at a campsite on a warm summer evening. Our first encounter with coyotes in Arizona occurred back in the summer of 1995. We were renting a small apartment in Scottsdale and observed two coyotes refreshing themselves in the cool spray of a built–in sprinkler system. With its manicured lawns, impeccable gardens, and imported trees, Scottsdale, Arizona has always succeeded in keeping the desert at a safe distance. But the coyotes still came anyways. Ten years later, we had our second encounter with these controversial canines that had crashed Scottsdale's suburban garden party so long ago. However, this time, we were in their territory. At the time, we were staying in our motorhome at a municipal campground that is surrounded on all sides by the Sonoran Desert. The Sonoran is one of the world's largest and most diverse desert ecosystems. As a result, people from all over the globe come to experience this strange and enchanted place. Although the campground offered 50–amp electrical service and running water, the sites were visually primitive and exceptionally isolated. Moreover, in the summer months, the entire park was all but empty as a result of the desert's unremitting heat. Our original plan was to stay in the area for about four months and leave before it got too hot. However, due to an unexpected medical problem, we ended up staying for more than eighteen months. The stories described here occurred during this time. Read More Back to Top RV Tech Who's Your ISP? By Alan Lidstone As more RVers find their notebook computers a necessary tool at home and on the road, it becomes important to determine just how you will gain access to the Internet. We may be offered the opportunity in the next two–to–three years to use a single WiMAX Internet Service Provider (ISP) with very high–speed broadband Internet access at home, business, and on–the road. It's important to review all Internet access services and options to select the ISP(s) and technology that best meet your Internet needs. On the road, most RVers use the WiFi capability provided by their computer to link to the WiFi service at the RV resort or campground or other WiFi hotspot. The WiFi hotspot completes the connection to the Internet using their high–speed Internet Service Provider (ISP). A second option for RVers and travelers is to use wireless mobile broadband data service from their mobile phone service provider. Read More

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Destined to Travel Upcountry South Carolina "Any time you visit is the right time." by Lisa Halvorsen In the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this foothill area of South Carolina dishes out a big helping of Southern hospitality, along with eye–popping scenery and a multitude of museums, cultural venues and historic sites. Located at the northwestern tip of the state, this six–county area is the ideal place for outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, kayaking and whitewater rafting. Here, you will find 13 state parks and many lakes, rivers and natural areas. For the traveler, this four–season destination really does have it all, including the sights and attractions of Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties. It's easy to see why locals say, "Any time you visit is the right time." The Upcountry, which is sometimes referred to as Upstate S.C., has a rich historical past that can be explored through its Revolutionary War battlefields, aristocratic plantation homes, historic districts and museums. Military History It was in the S.C. Upcountry that the Battle of Cowpens, a pivotal Revolutionary War battle, was fought on January 17, 1781. At the Cowpens National Battlefield, 10 miles west of Gaffney, you can learn how the Continental forces under the leadership of Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeated the British army led by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton in a rarely used military maneuver called the double envelopment. This victory helped trigger a chain of events that led to the British defeat at Yorktown nine months later. Stop by the visitor center to view Revolutionary War artifacts, a full–scale–reproduction British three–pounder "Grasshopper" cannon, and other displays before heading out to the battlefield. Read More

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Mark… My Words Gosh, it's fall already. I love RVing at this time of year! The campgrounds are no longer filled with the summer crowds, the trees are starting to change, and a campfire in the evening really feels good with the chill in the air. Get out there and enjoy your RV before winter sets in! Hi Mark There are many products and much information about the care and repair of rubber roofs. However, I cannot recall ever seeing a product or process for the care and maintenance of a fiberglass roof. Can the same products be used? I recently had a tree branch carve a niche in the corner of my roof and I am concerned as to what products I may use to repair it. Thanks! — Fiberglass roofs are fairly easy to repair, as most common roofing repair materials will stick to them. First, scrape off any old caulk or sealant. Then, clean the area to be repaired thoroughly. I like to use a spray–on cleaner like Windex or 409 to remove the dirt. Once that dries, I follow up with acetone to remove any soap residue or oils. (Be careful with the acetone around any painted surfaces!) If the damaged area is small, a self–leveling roof caulk can be used to seal the damaged area. In cases where a larger area is involved, you can use standard roof patching compounds and some reinforcing tape, or a specialized roof repair tape. One product that I am fascinated with is a tape product called Eternabond. This is a repair tape with a high–tech adhesive that sticks permanently to just about anything. You can find it at most RV parts stores and I have yet to find anything it won't adhere to! In fact, it can even be used to repair holding tanks. Take a look at http://www.eternabond.com for more info. Read More Questions Do you have a question for Mark? Please submit your question via email to woodalls@escapees.com Please remember, material will be edited. Because of the large volume of material and correspondence submitted, individual replies will not be possible, nor can we acknowledge receipt of your material. Selected questions will be answered in future issues of the Woodall's Wisdom newsletter in the Mark, My Words column. The Mark, My Words column also appears in Escapees magazine, a bi–monthly publication of the Escapees RV Club. For more information visit www.escapees.com/magazine Submit Your Question

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My Trip Journal 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, We're Wingin' It or browse other locations. Back to Top Camping Blooper Generator Vs Jeep We where camped in Denver when my wife & daughter just locked our Motor Home door & I was talking to our neighbor when I heard this electric motor humming sound. I started looking around when we seen the generator slide out being extended from the front of our Motor Home & into my Jeep that was parked about 2–ft. away, It hit the front tow brackets & pushed the car backwards dislodging the front grill. I opened the door & found our Dog looking out the side window with his paw on the slide out switch on the ledge under the drivers side window. Joseph Tovo Sr, IL Submit Your Camping Blooper

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Cooking on the Road Apple and Asian Pear Fall Salad Molly Chappellet Follow this recipe as a guideline; it is really a freeform salad that takes on a different personality depending on what dried fruits and nuts are hidden in your cupboard. Molly prefers Meyer lemons for the dressing, which are sweeter and less acidic than the common variety. If not available, use a regular lemon and adjust the amount to taste. Donn and Molly enjoy it with a glass of their own Chenin Blanc. four servings 2 crisp apples such as Cortland, McIntosh or Granny Smith 1 Asian pear 1 Juice of Meyer lemon 4 to 5 tender celery ribs ½ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sour cream ½ cup ketchup 2 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries, currants or dates, or more to taste 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans, filberts or pumpkin seeds, or more to taste   Few fresh grapes (optional)   Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Peel and core the apples and pear and rub with the lemon juice. Chop the celery, apples and pears and place in a serving bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until smooth and well blended. Fold into the salad. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the dried fruit, nuts and grapes (optional) and serve immediately. For more great recipes & campsite cooking tips, visit Woodall's Camp Cooking!.

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Gadgets & Gear By Bill Siuru Michelin's New "I can if I want to" Tire There are SUV and light–truck tires that are great for traveling "at speed" on smooth roads. There are also tires for those who want to do serious off–roading, but these often come with some compromises in ride quality and highway handling performance. Michelin says its line of new LTX A/T2 tire light–truck and SUV tires are aimed at drivers who want a tire that provides the grip and durability expected from a rugged off–road tire while still delivering a quiet and comfortable ride with excellent road performance. "Drivers who use their light trucks and SUVs for both work and play will especially enjoy the LTX A/T2 tire," according to Parmeet Grover, Michelin brand director, Michelin North America. Designing a tire is a complex task. It is especially challenging when the objective is to achieve the right balance between a smooth, quiet ride on the highway and grip on the backwoods trails with dirt and rocks. Michelin engineers say they have achieved this objective using several of its advanced tire technologies. Read More

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RV Search Tip: Consider using an escrow service to smooth the transition of goods between you and the seller. They will hold your payment until you receive the RV you purchased More info & photos   Featured RV 2007 Gulf Stream Crescendo Price: $167,208 Description: Double Slide, Rear Wardrobe, Queen Bed w/Nightstands …continued   Yr Make Model Length Price 2007 Airstream SAFARI 25 $49,078 2006 National RV Surf Side 33 $89,995 2006 Fleetwood Southwind 37 $129,995 Powered by

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