Six rules for RV happiness

Yesterday I wrote an article on David and Sue McCarron's Volvo sleeper cab. They are out having the time of their lives RVing around the country and touring local areas on their motorcycles once they set-up camp.
David shared his philosophy of RVing which he calls, "Six rules for RV happiness."
1. Any driving day must be limited to 250 miles or five hours.

2. Regardless of rule one you must stop in time to completely set-up completely in daylight

3. You must set-up for at least 48 hours

4. Because of the size limitations of the 5th wheel they limit occupancy as follows: Drinks for six, dinner for four, sleeps two. The sleeper cab is the "condo" for overnight guests.

5. The driver does not start the engine until the "navigoddess" knows where we are going and how we are going to get there.

6. If in snow, you're doing it wrong!

Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Speeding Bird Feeder Makes RVer Think Twice About Checklists

When I first started RVing I used an RV pre-flight checklist for both inside and outside. As a Navigator on the KC-135 I was required to use a checklist for everything - we called it our “plastic brains.” For a quick rundown on my military career I was first an Army Medic stationed at SHAPE Belgium where I worked in the ER and also drove an ambulance. I finished my Army tour and went to college (BA degree) then to seminary (MDiv). I attended Air Force ROTC while in my last two years of seminary and received my commission and went to Navigator school at Mather AFB in Sacramento, California. When I finished my hitch as an Air Force Officer, I was certified by my church to become a chaplain. I became a Navy chaplain and finished my career retiring from the Navy. During my time in the Navy I graduated from law school with a Juris Doctor degree. Moving around is in my blood and being a full time RVer helps satisfy that drive. The reason I tell you this is because my military career is full of interesting stories from which I draw from time to time to illustrate my articles. So, back to the checklist, I previously used them with military discipline until it became second nature and I felt comfortable not relying on them. Fortunately, I’ve only had minor blunders, but sooner or later Murphy will catch up to me and I’ll pay the price for not using a checklist. Here's a humorous example of what can go wrong when you don’t use one. Christmas Eve day we were driving to see our kids. We traveled about twenty miles when Mrs. Professor noticed that I had forgotten to retrieve the hummingbird feeder off the side window. “Those hummingbirds have to fly pretty fast to eat at this feeder.” she said. Amazingly the feeder remained attached even though it’s only held in position by one suction cup. So, if the feeder can stay put at 65 miles per hour, you know it’ll stay safely attached when you’re stationary. I pulled over, took some pictures and removed it for safe keeping. I’ll definitely use this feeder again! Using checklists and other reminders to help you prepare your RV for travel is good practice. I’m getting to the point where I think I’ll start using them again. Laughing at myself - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Amusing Kids View of Florida Snobirds

I received this story from a friend and have no idea where it came from or whether it's even true, it doesn't matter, because it's amusing in and of itself. Enjoy - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school. One child wrote the following:

"We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on their bicycles and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now, they do exercises there, but they don't do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on.

At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds. Some of
the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck.

My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren."