Go Slow and Keep to the Right

Maybe these words were more than road directions. Not to wax too philosophical, but it seems that these words are good sign posts for every day living. Even in the early days, these Tin Canners understood the joy that could come from the friendships made while traveling. As you may know, the Tin Can Tourists association has been revived as an “organization committed to the celebration of classic trailers and motor coaches.” For some great photos of restored RV’s, check out their web site–www.tincantourists.com/

 

Remember when…

Gas cost a buck and a quarter?

The topic on everyone’s mind this summer is the cost of fuel. When ever I see gas go under the $3 a gallon mark, I get excited. Then I get depressed because I am excited about paying ONLY $2.98 for a gallon of gas. The Energy Information Administration which gives you the “official energy statistics from the US government” (funded by your tax dollars) has survey of gas prices going back to 1993. In May of 1997, consumers paid an average of $1.24 per gallon of gas. And I am sure we complained about it. One year later, gas went down to $1.10. In September of 2001 , after 9/11, gas was around $1.55: it was down to $1.12 by the end of that year. In August of 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, gas skyrocketed to — $2.95 a gallon, which in today’s economy is a bargain. The average price in May was $3.18. We have the rest of the survey here. Survey of Gas Prices 1993 - 2007

But we adapt

While the rising cost of fuel is not keep RV’ers home, it is keeping them closer to home..or in spot. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), RV’ers are adapting by changing, not canceling, their travel plans. “RV owners are adjusting to higher fuel costs by staying closer to home, spending more time in one place, driving or towing at 55, turning off the utilities at home while on the road, and packing lighter to reduce weight in the RV, according to surveys of RV owners.” For tips on how travelers are conserving fuel and other industry news, visit the RVIA website.

 

RV History:

Six Degrees of Separation–Aircraft and Airstream

As further proof of the small world theory, aircraft and motorhomes are closely linked in history. In his book The Dumb Things Sold Just Like That”, Al Hesselbart tells about aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and his work in the RV industry. Curtiss, who fought with the Wright Brothers over airplane patents, invented the fifth wheel hitch mechanism…and unknowingly created what would become a popular type of RV used by owners of all backgrounds. Which is kind of ironic considering that Curtiss believed that motorhome travel was for the upper-class traveler. For a while, he built the Curtiss Aerocar, a motorhome that often included separate servant’s quarters and a divider between the kitchen and the dining area (To keep the cook out, you know. Try that with your traveling partner and see where it gets you.) Curtiss was also a prolific inventor who made his mark in the aircraft, motorhome, motorcycle and racing industries. If you are ever in Hammondsport, NY, (in the Finger Lakes region of Western New York) visit the Glen Curtiss Museum and learn more about him.

 

However, Curtiss wasn’t the only inventor with connections to both aircraft and motorhome industries. William Hawley Bowlus was a glider pilot and aircraft builder who was shop foreman at Ryan Aircraft in San Diego when Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis was being built. His other interests were scale-model, ride-in steam trains…and motorhomes. Between 1934 and 1936, the Bowlus-Teller Manufacturing Company built 200 Road Chief trailers. The description in the brochure sounds vaguely familiar: The body and chassis of ‘The Bowlus Road Chief‘ is constructed of rust proof steel tubing, acetylene welded together, covered with duralumin closely riveted.. Yup, sounds like an Airstream. In fact the Road Chief was thought to be the forerunner to the Airstream. Before founding his own company, Wallie Byam was a salesman for Bowlus. Small world!

Off to the Races

Talk about small world. Last fall we talked to another historian, Pete Hylton, of the Sports Car Club of America, about publishing his book on the “Ghost Tracks of the SCCA.” Little did we know how closely related his book would be to Al Hesselbart’s history book. The RV crowd is so important to racing that many racetracks offer RV accommodations. Many professional drivers and their teams choose RV living during racing season. And of course, there is the Toy Hauler crowd…they share their RV’s with their cars! Ghost Tracks is a“then and now” story about some of history’s greatest sports car racing tracks. Pete Hylton tells the history of the tracks where road racers logged thousands upon thousands of miles in their heyday. Many are now the racing equivalent of a ghost town. Hylton captured that feeling in the chapter on Meadowdale:

“At one point my 6 year old daughter became convinced that she could hear a race car coming and that we needed to get off the pavement. Perhaps she did hear the ghosts of SCCA races 30 years ago. When I tried, I almost could too.”

Read more about Hylton’s “Ghost Tracks” and the SCCA at http://ghosttracks.wordpress.com.

Rally Ho! A New Trivia Game for RV’ers

There is a new game on the market … although it is called America’s first RV-themed board game, I think it will appeal to any trivia nut. It’s Rally Ho! The Travel Trivia Game for RV-ers. Jeannie McKay, Creative Director of MindZone Publishing, the company that developed the game, was kind enough to send me some of the questions from the game. The game is available online and will be in Camping World this summer. There are four categories for questions: Rearview Mirror, RV Life, Off the Beaten Path and Rollin’ Down the Road. Players make their way around the board in mini RV’s and collect Hazard and Rescue cards. Try out some questions here.

What the famous had to say about……

LAUGHTER

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.–Lord Byron

The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.–Mark Twain

You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.–Michael Pritchard

We recommend

Some of the best anecdotes and information comes from RV’ers’ personal websites and blogs. This week’s pick is Every Miles A Memory . Pat and Cindy are a young couple (age 34 and 40) who left Michigan in January on a yearlong trek across the country “in search of places that offer peace and serenity”. They have documented the steps they took to plan and prepare for the trip, right down to picking and outfitting their 25’ Sunline. They have continued documenting their trip on their website in blogs and photo galleries. Their site offers tips on everything to do with RV travel, including how to travel “green”, how to pack light, pet care, maintenance, and security. The photo gallery is wonderful. A must read is Pat’s post from April 4, “The Bleaching of the Skin. It will become an RV urban legend! When you stop laughing from that, be sure to read his description of his descent into Kyle’s Landing in the Ozarks on Mother’s Day.

Another great place to visit

Julianne Crane writes a column on RV lifestyle, Wheel Life, that appears every Saturday in the Spokesman Review (Spokane, Washington) and is carried in her blog site of the same name. In addition to the usual industry news, Julianne always has interesting stories about RV’ers and RV’ing. On June 16, she covers Elmira’s RV experience! She also carries pictures of adoptable traveling-worthy dogs from the local shelter…a subject near and dear to my heart.

Let’s hear it for the seniors

Not the human kind…at least not this time. This is a message for anyone who is thinking about adopting a dog. Before you grab that puppy, take a look at an older dog. The Senior Dog Project lists ten reasons that seniors are good choices… the first (and most important in my book) is that they come already housebroken. There is a quote that is all over the internet, but I think it still bears repeating..”Blessed are those who deserve the love of an old dog”. I, for one, have been twice blessed. I adopted Maggie, a ten “ish” year old border collie, pictured here with my daughter Emily, in 1993 from the East Tennessee Border Collie Rescue. When she died this spring, the ETBCR people found another senior that needed a home. It was another Maggie, but this time it is an Aussie Shepherd/Border Collie mix. If you want to add a companion to your life (or travels), first and foremost go to your local shelter or contact a breed rescue organization. You can find them on the Internet. Then think seriously about an older dog. They are the hardest to place, but so easy to care for..and love.

See ya in a couple of weeks!