RV Stories By You

Traded...

2009-11-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

Yup, its true. We traded the Rowehaminator for a Nomad travel trailer. Not a bad thing for us. Just takes some gettin' used to...not havin' our 'baby' out here in the yard. We are more than happy that we did it. It better suits our needs for right now, to be able to have a vehicle to transport all eight of us to different places in towns that we stay in and not have to break-down camp everytime.

We go with the Nomad for the first time over the Thanksgiving holidays. Will be getting some great family pics during this time. And I'll be sure to share them with you all.

In the mean time, keep sending me your stories and I'll do my best to get them all published. Go to: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com/
and submit your RV Story!!

Gotta Git Them Pics!

2009-09-22T12:35:00.001-07:00

We have gone with our RV a couple of times in between here, but have run into either camera trouble or PC trouble or both. With our six kids all active in some sport or another, the both of us are running circles trying to keep up! These are the days!!

We did make it to Panama City over the Labor Day weekend. Our friends rented a Pontoon Boat for four hours and we had a blast exploring Shell Island. Big waves, dolphins, and plenty of shells.

Here is some video of a wild dolphin that was curious as to what we were looking at. He came right up beside the boat! It was a neat experience for sure! And its on tape!

If you have an adventure story you'd like to share, please send it to me and I'll put it in my book with all the others. Send it via: http://www.rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Wayward Traveler....

2009-08-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

It goes too long in between camping trips for me. If I could, and I suppose I can, paint my own way of things, I would be camping every single weekend! That would give me ample time to visit all the different campgrounds within my surrounding states. After that, then I would branch out to further campgrounds...probably work my way up the East Coast. Most likely I would not venture any further than say, Virginia. I am totally 'anti-cold' right now. I may appreciate it more later on in my life, but for now...nope! Nothin' doin'. I'll stick to the beaches, thank you.
I believe over Labor Day we will be taking the RV to the PanHandle and park it at some friends of ours. The beach is still within walking distance and we don't need reservations. Sweet. Sure do appreciate their hospitality.
Roger installed some new speakers into the RV that we are eager to try out, playin' the "oldies"....'80's music.
So until then, audios and happy camping!

Have a real-life RV story you'd like to share? Click on the link below and send me your story for print!
www.rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Ahhhh....Finally went Camping!

2009-07-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

July Vacation Finally Came!

We had started getting the RV ready and some packed five days prior to our departure. It will probably five days more after getting home to get everything back to where it belongs.

We had a fabulous time in Ft DeSoto!! The last full day we were there it rained all day long and it made for a great chance to relax and play Dominoes and watch movies. We were fully rested for the camp-tear-down the next day.

There are seven miles of bike trails out on this peninsula, two beaches, two piers, the Fort and the Gift Shop. All wonderful visits.

On East Beach we found star fish, sea urchins, sea snails, multiple types of crabs and sting rays. Several types of cranes and pelicans were all about. We had a great time exploring the beach. There were signs warning of rip tides, so it gave us a chance to search the shallows instead of swim. The swimming beach was at North Beach. We spent our time there as well. There are Shower Shelters all over, very well kept. Overall, everything was quite clean and handy, never out of toilet paper...very important.

We did some fishing off the pier and got to see a baby dolphin with its parents swimming around. That was a real treat.

The trip home was just as fun as the whole trip as well. I am so grateful for the RV and its bathroom. It makes for less stopping which is a plus.

Plenty of stories to go with this trip...

Do you have stories you'd like to share?

Email your story here: www.rvstories.vpweb.com Today!

June 26, 2009

2009-06-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

We are preparing this weekend to go on a nearly two week vacation to Florida. We all are so very looking forward to it. We haven't had the time or opportunity to take the RV out until now. (We're all getting a little bored )

For me, the preparing for the actual trip is just as exciting. I am a list maker. I make lists for everything. I add a little box beside each item so that later, me or whoever gets that item done can make a check mark in the box. Saves more time being able to just look at the list and know what needs doing next.

This weekend we will be washing the RV inside and out and packing the things that we'll need for camping but don't use here daily.

Oooo! I can hardly wait to get going!

Check out my website at: http://www.rvstories.vpweb.com/ and send me some of your personal stories! Today!

Will Soon Return...

2009-05-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, to finally come back! It has been too long.

In the past six weeks, we have moved from one residence to another. That was all downstream for me. Purging of the cling-on build-up and starting fresh...I love it. We are having a yard sale this weekend to rid ourselves of even more things that we have come to terms with not actually needing. And on the up-up side, we'll make a few bucks as well. All good things.

I am still waiting to see what the up-side to our getting a horrible PC virus will be. It is so aggressive it tried to infiltrate my husbands laptop via the router as well! Not so sure where this will all lead for home Internet. With all that going on, I have been coming to the library to access the net, check mail, pay bills, do research, yah-da-yah-da.... As air conditioned as it is here, I still am anxious to get our PC back up and running at the house. I am grateful for the library's one hour it gives per day. Without that, I would truly be stuck! ....So, no pictures to share as of yet.

We are planning on a trip soon. Am looking forward to that. Our youngest daughter's birthday is coming up and she would like to take a couple of her 'best-est' friends and go to the Gulf Aquarium in Panama City for her celebration. Sounds good to me!
Then we'd like to take a family trip further south. We have been told of an excellent campground down near Sarasota/Tampa area. Look forward to that! Will be sure to have pics to share from that trip!

Hope all of you out there are getting out the sleeping bags, stocking up the snacks and getting in some RV time!
If you have a story to share, please go to my site and fill-out the form. We all would love to read your story! www.rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Happy Trails!

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

2009-04-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Or so I was taught growing up. But having stretched my wings a bit and landing in Alabama, I'd have to say from personal experience that....it doesn't have to be that way.

It doesn't have to take until May to have gorgeous flowers blooming all around you.

They are everywhere here, and in nearly every color, too. Big ones, small ones...some so fragrant that you just have to stop what you're doing and take a big sniff ! It's wonderful!

They can wait for their flowers up in Maine, but not us. We are in the middle of wonderful blooms all around!

(and have been all along! not one month goes by here without something in blossom)

Got a story to tell? Want to see it in print for free?

Send it to me via my website: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Planning a Move

2009-03-30T06:37:00.000-07:00

We have finally found a new place to move into. So this next month will be all about that. Somewhere in there we will be fixing the RV's window. With these torrential downpours over the past 4-5 days, it was quite the trick keeping the rains outside of the RV. Our oldest daughter came up with a cleaver way of doing that....

Send me your RV story for print today!

http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

RV Side Window

2009-03-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

We made several phone calls to find out how to repair/replace our broken side-slide window on the RV. After being passed around to a few dealers, one finally came out and said that unless we purchase a hundred or more there was no way.
What?! Are you dense?! Daft?!
Called another place, was given a rough quote of over $800. Huh?! It's glass for cryin' out loud.
With that all discovered, we decided to fix it ourselves. We'll go this weekend and pick out the right stuff and try to fit it into the frame. It'll take some ingenuity, but that's what Roger's made of, he'll figure it out. And for a small percent of the quoted price, too.
Will keep you posted!

Have an RV story you'd like to see in print? Send it to me via my website: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Pensacola Lizardfest Volleyball Tournament

2009-03-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! The ride down south was absolutely beautiful! The cattle and horse country is wonderful to drive through. The green starting to grow back on the trees and sub-bush is just so wonderful to see in the Spring.
The volleyball matches were tougher than the other two. We have the skill as a team to beat any one of those teams, however....that is not how it went. We don't know quite what happened here, but out of all of the games they played, they only won one. We did not make it to finals. The team had to stay and officiate for the other teams' games. Punishment maybe?
At the very least, the girls went home with a new view on the game. It can be fun and serious at the same time. Our girls have only been a team this year. Who they played against down there have been team mates/school mates for at least three years. The camaraderie between the players was admireable. We were missing that between our girls.
They'll work on it. Along with other things they picked up from watching the other teams play...and win.
Overall, it was a great weekend. A learning experience and a couple of nights away from home.
I happened to have taken the only video footage during one of their great plays.
Hope you enjoy the video below.

Have a camping RV story you want to share?
Email to me here: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

We Leave Tomorrow!!

2009-03-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

The time has drawn nigh and the travel shall begin!!

Hitting the open road is forever calling to us.

I dream of the day when cost means nothing and the kids are grown and on their own and the big wheels keep on turnin' and Roger and I are just tootlin' on down any ol' road getting to any ol' place ..... day after day....

Oh, cough, cough, snap me back to now!

And the now is...Pensacola! Yes, we finally get to leave for Pensacola tomorrow!
We have recently purchased a Suburban with a tow package included and are going to drive that down instead of the RV. The RV of which still does not have a window replaced in it yet. Roger and I made some phone calls and have learned that it will cost us $811 to purchase a replacement window for that! Ugh! We want a window not an air conditioner!
So, we have moved on to other alternatives to repairing that window. Will keep you posted on the outcome.
As for the Tournament.... Go Ladybugs!!!

Send me your camping story at: http://www.rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com/

Just A Waitin'......

2009-03-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Yep, just a waitin' for next weekend. Another volleyball trip to the south. I am hoping, even though the weekend is full, to squeeze in a peek at Pensacola Beach and see what that's like. I haven't been that far west yet on the pan handle.
I will make sure to share more volleyball pictures with you from that weekend. They are drilling hard now to gain another victory at this next tournament.

RV times straight ahead!!

Send me your RV story at : http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com/

Mexico Beach, Florida

2009-03-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

Here's an RV story for you....

After our stay at the RV campground in Panama City the weekend before last, we all decided as a family to take a drive east to Mexico Beach and check it out. It would be time for lunch by then and work out perfect to still get home in a timely manner Sunday.
The kids and I immediately ran down to the beach. In our minds, we struck gold! There were seashells by the pound all up and down the beach! millions of them! Back on Panama City Beach we had to hunt for every shell. Here, they were plentiful!
I had this great idea of taking home enough to put around our mailbox to stop the weeds from coming up through. I must have bagged 20-25 pounds of seashells and only within two-square feet of beach!
As the kids and I made our way down the beach looking for that 'perfect find', we saw this padded table left out on the open beach front. No one around. No sign. The kids tried to lay on it and of course I instructed them not to. It wasn't theirs to mess with.
We made our way further down, then, after getting real cold feet, hands and ears, we decided it was time to head back and make some lunch. So we did.
After we were back for a spell, Roger and I were in our RV getting lunch things ready and we heard this commotion outside. We both looked out and saw this very upset man pacing back and forth in front of Roger's dad's RV, grumbling, complaining. Then Roger saw his dad step out of the RV and his stature, he immediately knew that this was not a good thing.
Roger tried to open an ajar window so as to speak to the man to get him to wait for him to come out and the darn window smashed into a million and one pieces! POW! It was like it had been shot!
The man leaves Roger's dad's RV area, walks between the pavilion and our RV where we have our dog hitched with a chain. Don't people know not to walk inside of a chained dog's reach? The dog, protecting his family from this ranting lunatic, tries to bite him. (Good dog, Ben!)
Roger goes flying past me to the outside and confronts the man, asking him to explain to him his problem. The man just sputtered incoherently and repeatedly shook his head in disgust, throwing his arms up every so often for good measure.
When I heard the man start threatening to call the Animal Control, I stuck my head out the back door and yelled to him, "You know, it is common sense (his own words used about our children) to all people NOT to walk inside of the chain-length of a hitched dog. Common sense." He shook his head and put his hand out as to wipe me away.
Only seconds after the irate man left, another man went up to Roger. (outside of the chain-length) He said, "Don't worry about him, man. He does that to everyone. He's just mean. He's harmless. Just try and pretend it didn't happen."
And we did. The adults stated what each one experienced/heard then that was it.
And Ben, the dog, got a free meatball in good reward for doing his duty.
We stayed for another 45 minutes or so, finished our lunch, took family pictures and fed the seagulls just before leaving. Nothing more came of it.
Roger made a wonderful make-shift window for the trip home. It was still cold outside and we had a 2 1/2 hour road trip ahead of us, but his covering for the window worked great!
And looking at it from the fun-angle, it gives us yet another project to work on the RV with. That's always fun!

If you have some RV stories that you'd like to share and see in print, send them to me, I'll git 'r done. http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com/

Waaa-Hooo!!!

2009-03-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY ONCE AGAIN!!!

These girls are just amazing! Whatever a team can dish out, they have the return!

Way To Go Ladybugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Email me your story: rvstories@roadrunner.com

After the Volleyball Victory...

2009-02-25T08:50:00.000-08:00

After the victory in the school gym, we spent some great family time down on the beach. Several of us took turns with the camera throughout the days and here are a few shots that I thought were real nice.

This beach had a different style to it than what we had gotten used to. And it was only thirty mile more east. What a change for us. It was covered in sea shells. We were just amazed at first. Beautiful!

Email me a story about your RV trips!

rvstories@roadrunner.com

Volleyball Victory!

2009-02-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

We made it back from our weekend on the beach.

We all had a wonderful time the whole time! I think it was one of the best trips we've ever taken.
Not only did the team kick volleyball butt, they came home with medals!
Those girls did a wonderful job! They kept their eye on the other team finding their weaknesses and played right into them. They used each others talents to the fullest potential and they all played beautifully together.

Poetry in motion. I actually cried it was so beautiful! Haha! So very exciting it was!

Then there was the whole camping experience and the beach to go with it. The grandparents joined us and we all had a wonderful time together. The kids even played volleyball amongst themselves.

Send me your RV story: rvstories@roadrunner.com

Still Working on the RV

2009-02-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

Here it is Wednesday already. I have lists...lots of lists to prepare for this weekend.

Yup, it's this weekend for the first volleyball tourny. We are still tweaking the comforts of the RV. I am very grateful for my husband having the know-how to take care of things that need it with the RV. We both enjoy working on it and planning trips with it.
Call us crazy if you must, but it our joy to RV and do things that pertain to it.
Including this book that I am putting together, RV Stories By You.
After putting in the new water pump, a leak had developed. Once that leak was fixed, another developed. Roger was up until nine or so last night 'gittin' 'er done'.
I will include more photos as things are progressing.
The RV will look some different once it is filled with all that this large family needs on a weekend trip. From food to pillows to fire wood all packed inside somewhere. I love it!

Send me your story to: rvstories@roadrunner.com today!

February in Bloom

2009-02-13T12:40:00.000-08:00

February in Alabama is amazingly beautiful.
Beautiful small trees give birth to a radiant-scarlet blossom. And hundreds on just one tree. Just wanted to share.

This weekend we are getting the RV all gased up, fluids all checked, food stocked and rip-roarin'-ready-to-go....for the following weekend. Am anxious to get 'er rollin' once again. Our oldest daughters first volleyball tournement starts next weekend. I still am not sure who's more excited here, her or me!

Go ahead and share one of your personal true RV stories right on my website and I'll add it to my new book RV Stories By You: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

I'll Read you there!

February is IN

2009-02-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

I must say, I am glad to see February here. It has brought some of the colder mornings with it, than January had to offer, but still, I like this month.
This month, we are planning an RV trip to Panama City Beach, Florida. Our oldest daughter is playing in the Deep South Volleyball League and their first Tournament is this month. We'll use every excuse we can to travel with our beloved 'Rowe'haminator.
It always feels so good to get 'er out for a stretch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To the right are just a couple of shots our second daughter took of our dog, Ben. She is quite clever with the camera. Just wanted to share...

And remember to share your RV stories on my website:

http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Trying the Video

2009-02-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

Still trying to figure out why I couldn't upload my video clip of the beach. I changed some settings on the camera and took a clip of me having coffee in the RV. After I see if this works or not, then I'll know what to look for prior to taking anymore video clips for my blog spot. Appreciate your patience with me!

Remembering some more stories? Feel free to share them with me via my website:
http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

And have a great camping trip!

The End of January

2009-02-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

I spontaneously took some time for Me and went to the beach, my favorite of all places. It takes about two hours to get there from our home, and worth every minute of it, farms with white fences everywhere. Arabians & Paints to Appaloosas and Quarter Horses and ponies. Oh, and can't forget the fields and fields of cattle! And Some land with barrels and jumps and others with trip-trap-bridges and water wheels. Gorgeous land, the Pan Handle is.
I wished for more time, but am very grateful for the time that I did have.
As it was, it all worked out just perfectly. I got beach time and still made it home just before the kids did from school....barely...

Here's a short clip of my "R & R" : (I tried and tried to upload this to no avail. Will check my settings on the camera.)

As you know by now, you can go to my website and submit your camping story to me. I look forward to each and every story and am anxious to get this book assembled and into print. Thank you for all of your support!

http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

January Weather

2009-01-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

January is the toughest month of the year for me. I have lived in several different states in the U.S. and they all do the same thing in January - - get cold!
I am grateful to NOT be experiencing the arctic cold of January in Alaska! I got to yell that one at the top of my lungs! We are told it is still minus 32 degrees daily. It was maintaining minus 50 degrees for several weeks! A record breaker for sure.
So I am grateful for the Alabama January cold...compared to that. It was 26 degrees above zero this morning.
Getting on with what I starting saying, January, even being the toughest month for me, brings excitement to me knowing what follows it: warmer weather!! And with warmer weather comes RV trips!! Our first one scheduled for this year will be the third weekend of February. I want to start getting ready now, but I'm too good of a procrastinator to do that.
So I will enjoy January and its cold knowing what follows!

Share your story with me at: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com/

Working Out the Bugs

2009-01-14T06:24:00.000-08:00

Wow! It has been quite the road with these PCs lately! My husband had downloaded some steps to take to try to clean up the PCs from bugs. That alone was an all day affair...and I still didn't get past step three! Lots to do, but this at least shows me that I am on the right track and can now blog again! I couldn't even get in here to do that!
I appreciate your patience and sticking it out with me. I have a ton of stories to tell, and can hardly wait to get started, but will be holding the really good ones back for my book. I want to be able to contribute new articles to the book that haven't been published yet, not even on a blogspot.
But be sure to share your stories! Keep sending them to me via my website: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Keep 'em comin' !

January 2009

2009-01-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

It has been 21 days since my last blog. I think about my blog every day. For the last week I have been trying to download pictures onto this and it closes out on me every time I click the 'Done' button. I will get my husband to take a look at this now that I've click and unclicked to many buttons trying to figure out what's up. He'll dig me out...he always does, God love 'im.
I will see if this site will at least take typing, if not a picture. Then we'll "Get On with the Show!"

http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Old Friend

2008-12-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

I just got done talking with an old friend of ours on the phone, Mike King. He lives in Alaska, has for the last seventeen or eighteen years now. He moved there from Maine. Roger and I grew up in the same school district in Maine as he did too, and we all ended up in Alaska, funny.
Mike was so excited and gearing up for the 2009 Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race. It runs all the way from Whitehorse, Yukon to Fairbanks, Alaska, 1,000 miles! It is the toughest race ever. The more commonly known Alaska race is the Iditarod. From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days. That is the longest race. The Quest is the tougherrace of the two.

You can check out Mike King's website at: http://www.alaskatrailkingadventures.com/index.html

He's got some great photos on there as well. The photo to the right here I copied off from his site. That's Mike in the photo, with part of his team. I believe he has 42 sled dogs that he takes care of. He knows them all by name and can tell you each of their personalities and who they can run with and who they can't. He sure loves his dogs.
Now Mike, he could tell us some camping stories! He has told Roger and I some real whoppers! Mike actually does overnight camping trips for hire. He let's you drive your own dog team, too, if you want to. I be some of those trips turn out to be quite the adventure stories!

It was great hearing from our old friend in Alaska since we've moved here to Alabama from Alaska. Go ahead and check out Mike's site then write me an adventure, camping story of your own experience and send it to me via my website: http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

RV Stories By You

2008-12-12T06:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is your opportunity to get some of your wonderful, personal true stories down in print. Everyone likes to see their own words in print, albeit the newspaper, an ad for their business, anything goes. Just seeing your own words in print is special. And here is every one's chance to get their own stories printed without all the leg work that usually goes with getting things into print.
I am doing all the work. I am putting this collection together and out there for sale. This is an exciting chance for the RV lover's alike to share their stories with the world, at no cost to you.

As you sit in your lawn chairs at different RV campgrounds, you can hear yourself saying, "Now that would be a great story to put in a book!" Write that story and send it to me! I'll put it into print for you!
Imagine, one book with hundreds of short, true stories all assembled in one hard covered book! Great reading! You gotta admit!
So, go ahead, take the time, today, to write and submit your story to me. You can do it easily right on my website: http://rvstoriesbyou.vpweb.com/
Send me your story for print today!

Thunder Storms Instead of Snow

2008-12-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

Boy is it ever raining out there today. Here in southern Alabama I have come to learn that when it rains, it pours...buckets! When we first got here we took notice of the time, effort and funding that the town put into drainage and ports for a lot of water at one time to escape the roadways.

Deep, cement trenches everywhere. To pull off a street and into a store parking lot nearly bottom-out your car. I see a lot of jeeps down here, maybe that's why.
Here, I'm just having some fun with the camera taking some video shots of the thunder storm. All the kids are in school, Roger's at work and its just me and the dog. I seem to be more relaxed in a thunder storm when I am trying to relax the children from fearing it. Now that there isn't anyone to soothe, I'm a little uneasy with all the racket the skies are making.

I remember one time, camping with my family as a kid. My parents took such care in finding the perfect tent-pitching spot, the best place for the fire, the right fallen tree for number twos, all of that. Well it rained that first night, and hard! I seemed to be sleeping just fine when I was woken up by lots of commotion.
Apparently, the tent was pitched in the lowest point on the site and became a waterbed! It was a canvas tent and water proof, so it remained on top of the water, still everything eventually got went. Fortunately for us, my dad's brother and wife came along too and let us sleep in with them. Having an over-sized tent can be very handy!
That was a night to remember for sure. And still do.

Got a story to tell? You can, and get it into print as well, and all at no cost to you. Just go to my website and send me your camping story today!
http://rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com/

Christmas Tree Rising

2008-12-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

I suppose it can't be put off too much long. Most put their trees up on Thanksgiving weekend. We intended to, but was distracted with other things. But we did manage to finally get the tree put up. We decided the front room window would be it's place this year.
The kids drew pictures on paper plates for their little personal touch. I am sure that we won't even be able to see the tree by Christmas Day. I think they make something every day for the tree. My mother hand-made the tree skirt. It's beautiful! It complete's the tree.
After it was up and plugged in, our youngest went outside to check it out. He came to me in the kitchen all wide-eyed and declared, "You can see the tree from the outside!" He was so excited that our idea was successful. He was so cute!

Go to my website: rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com and submit your story for print at no cost to you!

Splash Points by American Water

2008-12-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

This is a bit off the RV Stories, but I would like to share my excitment along with you.

Splash Points by American Water

This is an in-house eMagazine which the company puts out every couple of months. It highlights the hard work that it's employees have been working on and recognizes those that are a point of interest to the company. Below is just a section from the eMagazine that I copied and pasted that includes my husband, Roger. (I'm so proud of him and his hard work!) Plus...I took the picture..hehe
And they also recognized the Veterans within their company as well. That is pasted at the bottom.

CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS!!

FORT RUCKER RECOGNIZES FOUR-YEAR SAFETY MILESTONE
Military Services Group at Fort Rucker, Ala., recently celebrated four years of no lost-time injuries. Utility Manager Roger Rowe presented the award to his staff at a safety luncheon on Oct. 22.

Back: Oscar Best, Tommy Dixon, Roger Rowe, Pat Sullen. Middle: Wayne Carthon, John Paramore, A.J. Chancey. Front: Riley Danner, Dawn Fulford, Rob Lints.

AMERICAN WATER ENTERPRISES HONORS ITS MILITARY VETERANS
The U.S. celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11, and American Water Enterprises proudly counts the following veterans among its many employees who have bravely served their country:
Air Force: Nelson Alvarez, Tim Cashwell, James McQueen, Mike Hamman, Rick Simons, Jeff Slocum
Army: Terrell Adger, Glenn Battschinger, David Berg, Guy Hammond, David Hastings, Ronald Karrer, Robert Krieg, Gerry Lemus, Dorothy Lymuel, Tasha Parks, Patrick Schwarte, David Vaughn AMERICAN WATER ENTERPRISES November 2008 SplashPoints
Marines: George Cloud, Joseph Johnson, Michael Madsen, Mark Widhalm
National Guard: Oscar Best, Tony Burrow, Ronnie Graves, Daniel Hankins, Josh Hollowell
Navy: Bill Aulich, Riley Danner, Dennis Donovan, Harold Heffer, Russ Higgins, John Parramore, Roger Rowe, David Schuck, William Stewart

More Dragonfly

2008-12-02T08:51:00.001-08:00

This is a tattoo of a landing dragonfly on a cattail. I had the cattail wrapped around my ankle. I love my tattoo. I am not sorry that I have it. People ask me, "Would you do it again?" I guess I'd have to say, 'no' knowing what I know now. The pain was horrible! Ha-ha! I almost passed out twice and nearly threw-up three times. And it only took 50 minutes! The tattoo artist in Alaska did a fabulous job with the colors and the art. I am so glad that I have it. Ankle art is so pretty to me.
I had a life changing experience in 2007 and that also happened to be my year I turned forty. So, with my new found outlook on life, and after desiring a tattoo for thirty years, I decided that it was time. I made the appointment and I kept it. I am glad that I did. Every time I get a glimpse of my ankle, which is very often here in the southern states, it makes me smile and my heart warm up a bit. Tattoo's are a very personal choice.
Like the Law of Attraction, once something is drawn to your attention, albeit a car, a watch, an itch or yawn, you see it more and more and more. And since having my own tattoo, I have noticed tattoos on other people and the quality and detail within them (or the lack thereof). It's a neat thing. Maybe next time you go to the store, you'll take notice of the tats that are around you, as well.

A Birthday Gift

2008-12-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

One thing that stands out to me in this world is the Dragonfly. I have been in love with their way in this world since I was a kid. I have only lately been collecting items of dragonflies and am proud of my collect so far.
Knowing all of this about me, my beloved husband bought me this newest addition to my growing collection, a dragonfly necklace. After he bought it for me, for my birthday, he put it on me himself. I had my doubts of his ability to do this with his large hands at first, but he did it, and smoothly too. Usually necklace clasps are right-handed. This one was left-handed, like Roger. Go figure. Meant to be, right? Sweet.

Thanks again, Roger! I love you!

Thanksgiving, Come and Gone...

2008-12-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

For this years Thanksgiving Day, our family decided to break from tradition and go to a restaurant for the meal. And boy were we thankful for it! It was great! We were all pleased with the outcome.
They fed us a wonderful Thanksgiving Day spread and we ate on it for nearly an hour! We did save the dessert eating for later at home. We had four pies waiting there for us. It was very nice. Very nice indeed. We brought home Doggie Bags, too, and still ate on turkey and fixings all afternoon.
Due to the size of our family, we decided to take the RV to the restaurant instead of taking multiple vehicles. A funny part of that story is when we left the

parking lot in the RV, we forgot to put the step stool inside the RV and left it behind. Once we realized it back home in our driveway...where's the step stool? ... I went back in the car to pick it up. It was funny seeing a step stool in the middle of a parking lot just out there, all alone, no rhyme or reason, hehe. I'm thinking it probably lifted a few eye brows before I got there, don't you?
Anyway, go ahead and email me your RV adventure story. I would love to add it to my book RV Stories By You.
You can do this right on my website: rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com
Oh yeah, and due to the weather, we decided not to make the RV trip to the beach for the weekend. We still all had a great time right to home playing Mexican Train Dominoes and Water Works. Sorry not to have any pictures of the fire we planned on having at the RV campsite. We did miss that part, too. But we know that it will happen again, and we'll be ready.

Time for a Wood Fire...

2008-11-24T09:25:00.000-08:00

As it is starting to cool off in the evenings it brings the wanting of a wood fire. Outside, sometimes, I can smell that one of the neighboring houses is having a wood fire burning. I love that smell. My family used to burn wood for heat in Maine and the smell of wood fire burning makes me fondly remember some of those days.
Roger, I and the family are going camping next weekend and thought how nice it'd be to burn a fire in the evening to talk around and keep warm.
So, off we went to buy some wood.
Here it is loaded in it the pick-up and then into the RV's compartment. I can hardly wait! I can almost smell the smoke now!

I look forward to hearing from you. I enjoy every story and encourage you to share yours with the rest of us. You can do that right on my website:
> rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Go and submit your story for print today!

It's Friday

2008-11-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

I have worked at many jobs over the years. At all of the jobs that I have done, it never failed that "Friday" was always looked forward to with vivacous anticipation. Sitting here in my new "now" and looking back, I think, "I regret not looking forward to every day!"
People write stories, people read stories. You can go to any publication store and pick up a copy of a book with a story about how a "near death" experience has "changed their lives". My question is, why wait? Why not look forward to each day with the verve that we look forward to Friday's with?
Let's try that for a while, shall we? Let's make the effort, the conscious effort to be excited about each day as we do for Friday's. It may change our lives!

Go to my website and submit your personal true story that happened on your RV trip, share!

> rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Full Moon...and not in your britches!

2008-11-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

It continues to surprise and impress me on how the very same moon that everyone from around the world can see can vary it's own 'version of vision' just from coast-to-coast, continent-to-continent. The atmosphere's own air currents continue to change the sky's "landscape", if you will, as we behold the moon. These are pictures from here in Alabama. Had I had any foresight, I would have taken some pictures of the moon in Alaska! Being in Alaska, the moon is in your face! It is amazing on it's own level there.
Here, the moon seems to be having fun with our daughter. It seems to be playing peek-a-boo with her as she tries to "get that perfect shot". I have a folder in this PC with 52 tries at that

"perfect shot" ha-ha Gotta love that "stick-with-it" heart she has for photography.
And I want to make note also, that after the full moon had come and gone, I noticed that the six children, all of them, would not settle down for bed. They teased with each other, giggled and tee-heed their way late into the night. The following day I realized that it was a full moon that night! I had even said to Roger, "What is going on with the kids? They just won't settle down for the night." It had to be the full moon having its effect on them some how. Very mystical, the moon.
And seeing the pictures on the TV from space looking back at the earth enthralls me! My heart is starting to pick up pace just typing about it!! The view of the world that we live in from outer space! Awesome!

I would like to hear from you, too. Continue to pass this blog spot along with my website and let's get some more stories submitted. I am so excited to be assembling this book! And I know you'll love it as well! So, get to writing those stories to share with the rest of us!

Submit them right on my website: rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

And continue to have a great Day!!

Tellin' That Story

2008-11-19T05:35:00.000-08:00

I have been finding myself lately, chuckling under my breath at the stupidest of things. My perception of life's "things" has changed dramatically over the past six months.
Actually, I think it started changing once we decided we were leaving Alaska thirteen months ago.
About the last time Roger and I stood in the house we left behind in Alaska, we were handed a book to read by a friend that was there with us. He is old enough to be our grandfather and we highly respect every word that he speaks. He's lived his nine lives and has scars to prove it. Anyway, he handed us this book to read that he found to be "life changing". We started reading it, even before we headed out of Alaska in the RV for Alabama and was instantly hooked.
Roger and I took turns driving and/or reading out loud off and on all the way here. We actually got to finish the book once we landed here. Awesome, awesome book. I suppose this book couldn't reach everyone, but it reached the two of us. And through the eye-opening experience of that book, I have finally learned what I have been hearing and been told all these years of mine. And that is this: "Self is only responsible for one's own happiness". Along with that I learned that I can control my feelings. I can decide to smile and feel it as well. I can be happy - - no matter what!
And with that all said, I bring you the pictures below. The things, the stupid simple things that make me feel happy.
The picture on the left is of us in the RV stopping by the local Krispy Kreme for hot-off-the-press donuts. Mmmmmmm!
The middle picture is of our oldest son picking the nose of a peanut! Haha! Don't repeat that! No one will believe you!
And the photo on the right is of a beautiful leaf I picked up off the street on one of my walks and enjoyed it enough to bring it home with me and share with you. (my picture does not show its true beauty. Light green all about the edges and a glorious blush reddish-purple on the inside)
All very different experiences, but all with one conclusion...they make me happy.
Isn't that life's journey?

Now go ahead and email me a story that touches your heart. It doesn't have to be long and lengthy. Just wordy enough so that the rest of us get the picture of your story in our minds.
Email me your story or rather just submit it on my website:

> rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Just for Conclusion...

2008-11-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

We, as a family, have been enjoying a good, friendly, competetive game of Monopoly on the weekends. Knowing this, I tried to push to get this puzzle done so that we could have the dining room table back. I had a great time rushing. I hadn't put a puzzle together "under the clock" before.
Even having finished this puzzle in record time, with all that occured during the rest of the day, we never did all sit down for a game. And that was fine. We all got other things done that needed getting done. My satisfaction has not been altered one bit. Puzzles are as much of a pleasure to me as driving the RV around. I love any ol' excuse to drive that rig around. Roger and I even use it to drop kids off at their rendevous. And with gas at an all time low of $1.99 per gallon, who can afford not to? Right?!

So with that said, let's get some of your RV's out there and get your stories submitted to me for print today!

> rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Rainy Day in Novemeber

2008-11-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

Rain is turning out to be a very precious thing these days. The morning dew doesn't seem to be quite be enough to sustain the front lawn on its own. So, to have a rainy day now and then is a true blessing.
And along with the refreshing of the front lawn and on-going production of fall colors on trees comes a nice chance to put a puzzle together. I have had a puzzle all picked out and purchased just waiting on the side to be pulled out and started to be put into its origal form for too long now.
Some people just can't seem to find the same kind of peace and pleasure in puzzle pieces as I do. Some find failure and frustration. I find a calm in knowing that all that I need to finish this puzzle is right here in front of me: Time and Pieces.

Go ahead and email me your story and I will add it to my book at no cost to you. Then you will be able to see your own story in print. It is quite the feeling to see your own story in print, knowing that thousands of others are reading it. Nice!
~ rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Email it to me today!

Veteran's Day BBQ

2008-11-12T13:39:00.000-08:00

A day just to remember the Veterans that have more than paid their share of dues to protect

America and Americans. My eyes welled up several times yesterday as I scanned the small VFW hall full of Vets. The aged memories that they must carry with them that probably still seem so fresh. Every one of them were courteous and gracious to us new-comers. My husband is a Desert Storm Veteran. He is proud of his having done his time for his country.
We had a great time at the VFW hall Tuesday. They served potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, grilled chicken, chipped beef with BBQ sause on the side, slices of chicken and ham sandwich style, many types of chips and several desserts including pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate cake and an American Flag shaped white cake...delicious.
The kids had a blast. They had two different Jumper-roo Rooms. Even Ben, our dog, had a great time with all those kids.

Here are a few pics of the day:

G0 ahead and email me your story today!
> rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

RV Stories By You

2008-11-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

Stories are tales that we all have to tell. Stories are words put together to capture the attention of it's listeners. Everyone loves to hear a good story.
And I know that this new book RV Stories By You will be a huge hit for readers world-wide.
Make sure that you get your story sent in to me so that you, too, can have your story in print along with the others to build this wonderful book. This is at no cost to any of you. You simply need to submit your story to me, and I will take care of the rest. Go ahead and send a couple of pictures to go with your story as well, and I will try to get them into the book as well.

Take the time to put your story into words and feel the wonder that comes with seeing your own story in print. It is truly an awesome feeling!

Go to my website and write me your story today!

rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Hey, It's Thursday...

2008-11-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to make sure you were listening. Yes, it is Thursday and what a beautiful Thursday it is, too! Gorgeous! The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, the leaves are rustling. Makes wish had a gun - to go grouse hunting with! But I don't, and that's okay. I'll go feed the ducks at the park instead, flip side of the coin.
In case you didn't notice it right off the bat, I changed my flickr.badge to the right. It took a little more time than I had planned on giving to it, but that's okay too. I didn't plan on taking that long at the salon anyhow.
Just for fun, here are a couple of snapshots of a neighbors lemon trees. Man is hard not to go pick 'em!! I'm jealous! Fresh lemons! Go figure.

Send me your adventure stories today, and I will make sure that they get published in my new book RV Stories By You. Just visit my website and it will tell you all about it.

Now go have a great day!

Make a memory!

Election Day is in the Past

2008-11-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

No matter who would win the Presidential Seat, I would say, "This will be a very interesting next four years." True? You bet. These are interesting times for sure.
As for most, life will resume as usual. Not a lot will change for us. The ones that are deeper into the thick of the workings of this country on the other hand, will be playing backyard ball for a while...until things go full swing. Then they will play in the big leagues, where it hurts when your pants are pulled down, so to speak....we hope.

But who am I....I run a household of six children....and I must admit, not very well either. I certainly am not one to criticize others' ways of doing things (and failing). So, with that said, let's move on to "the good stuff".

Autumn!!
What a beautiful time of year! A reprieve from the heat and brilliant foliage to wrap it up in like a free gift! Here are a couple of snapshots from around our neighborhood:

Make sure you get your story typed out today and emailed to me. The sooner I am able to comb through all the stories and get the book organized for print, the sooner you will be able to see your own story written in a book. (How cool is that?!)

So email me your story today!! Go to my website and submit it...right now!

rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

Halloween: Here and Gone

2008-11-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

From our past experience, we didn't have a whole lot to go on...to "guage" our candy baggies by. Anywhere else we have lived has not produced a very large number of ghouls and goblins, a dozen, maybe two. So, our first time actually living inside city limits and in a child-filled neighborhood to-boot, we thought we had this one covered with our 80 candy baggies. You should have seen us! There were six of us participating in an assembly-line. Elbows flyin' everywhere! But we finished in record time- - 80 candy baggies all ready to go.
Well, it ended up only taking the local witches and haunts about 80 minutes to wipe us out completely! Yup! And the action stayed going for another hour or so, too!
So next year's Halloween night, we'll be better prepared with 160 baggies!

Don't forget to visit my website:

rvstoriesbyyou.vpweb.com

You can send my your adventure story right there on that site.

Come back and visit me everyday!

The Harvest is coming...the harvest is coming...

2008-10-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

This is the season of harvest! I have never seen so many pecans in my life! They are everywhere! They crunch under my tires as I navigate the streets. They are in the mouths of numerous arboreal, bushy-tailed rodents and for sale by weekend venders on street corners. Pecans. My least favorite nut of the nut world. But, still, it continues to amaze me of the plentitude of the land here in Alabama.

Amongst the harvest is the ever-observed Halloween. Even as I type, some of our kids are carving their pumpkin, while others are face painting...just for practice. Remember those days?

I just had a thought...spending Halloween at an RV Campground just to see how it goes. Do local trick-or-treaters visit their nearest campgrounds? Do the kids in the RV Park go trick-or-treating to other parked campers? Interesting. Maybe we'll go next year.

As for you all, I ran into something that I hadn't yet, and that is someone that does not type or use a computer. So my solution is to have you go ahead and hand-write your story and send it to me via snail-mail and I will type it for you.

Lisa M Tozier-Rowe

211 Inglewood Drive

Enterprise, AL 36330

334-475-3638

rvstories@roadrunner.com

http://bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

So now there is nothing but yourself holding you back. Come on, join us in this publishing of RV Stories By You and email/write your story to me today!

Ripening of the Season

2008-10-23T08:55:00.003-07:00

Even for Alabama, the seasons change. True, here, there are really only two definable seasons - Hot and Cool. But even so, the air is getting a bit nippy in the mornings and some of the selected foliage is starting to change colors and fall off.
As these days ponder the upcoming winter months, it seems to me it's asking for a visit. These are the perfect temperatures to go hike a small mountain or to visit the beach without umbrella-to-umbrella beach lovers taking up their own space.
When we visited the beach last weekend for the day, there were few couples and families scattered across the beach. Our family of eight had more than enough room to spread out and enjoy all that the beach has to offer. I didn't find another shark's tooth, but we gathered a lot of jingles (penny sized half-shells of clams) That more than made up for it. I will put them altogether on a leather tether and hang them from the RV's rear view mirror. We'll hear its jingling music each time we ride.
We haven't taken on a mountain yet, but it sure is a goal of mine. I'll be sure to be toting the camera case along when we finally do go and share our adventure with you.

But for now, I would love to hear from you! So go ahead, write that personal story, that funny one, that sad one, or even the one where Uncle Joe nearly drowned. Tell me your story and I'll include it in my next book RV Stories By You.

Email it to: rvstories@roadrunner.com Today!

Ripening of the Season

2008-10-23T08:55:00.001-07:00

October Beach Day Visit

2008-10-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

Going to the beach has got to be my most favorite thing to do in this world. The peace that comes to me from just the view alone is awesome. The smell of the sea air, the butterflies and sandpipers, all a wonderful part of what makes the beach The Beach.

The sounds of our kids splashing in the waters edge and laughing with each other and running up to us with their newest finds, sharing their excitement, warming-wonderful memories.
Here, our fourth child, had a mask full of live little white crabs that had moved into spiral-shells. They were freaky looking to me, but they sure found joy in them!

The kids had teamed up together and buried the only willing sibling and made her buried-shape look like a mermaid. I think next time, I will help out, too, they made it look so fun.

And snack time is always fun. Here's just one of many different photos we have:

On our way down there, while stopped at a red light, our second-to-the-oldest child took a snap-shot of an advertisement. It was most definitely eye-catching.

So, folks, now I want to hear from you. Go ahead and write your story and email it to me and I'll add it to my newest book: RV Stories By You.

Email: rvstories@roadrunner.com

Who's Campaigning Anyway?

2008-10-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Exciting times these days, aren't they? With all of the news being monopolized by the up coming Presidential Election, it's hard to think on much else. I have found myself more interested and involved in the election than I ever have in the past. Now that is still not saying much, but still, more than ever. I mean, we even have a lawn sign denoting who it is we will be voting for this term. That's active participation in my book. Big step from three years ago.

Anyhow, I have our six children home on school vacation this week and we have been spending some time over at the park doing different things. The kids like feeding the geese and catfish. Then they like moving over to the next little man-made pond and feed the little baby fish (and try to catch them with their hands). The dog has a blast with all this, too.
We pack up a lunch in a backpack along with at least two insulated jugs of ice water (we are talking Alabama here) and of course duck food. I bring along my spiral notebook and sit at the concrete picnic table and write stories. I enjoy this piece of peace very dearly. The kids are safe and having a blast, the dog is happy and legal, the wind is blowing, the sun is shining, the sweet smell of trees in late bloom criss-crossing in the air...it's wonderful. I write until my hand will not permit me to write even one more word. That's when I look at my watch and realize that nearly two hours have gone by. Time to go walk back home.

Benjiman, the dog

And its time for you to send in your stories. Come on, you know you want to. Get that story written into an email and send it to me. You'll be glad you did when you see your own story in print in my book RV Stories By You.
Email to : rvstories@roadrunner.com

Montgomery Trip for Two

2008-10-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it wasn't an RV trip, but it surely was one to remember. My husband and I had a fabulous time. Even though he had to spend time in a classroom setting throughout the days, the evenings and breakfasts were wonderful. They had key note speakers that were just outstanding. They gave us a comedy/magic show the first evening and I laughed so hard tears ran down my cheeks. It was wonderful. During the day, the spouses were taken on a guided bus tour of the town. That was awesome. I totally enjoyed every minute of it. So much happened that I couldn't possibly tell it all here, but I will just say this, "Thank you, Roger, for taking me with you!!"

http://bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

Email me you story...today!!!

Waiting to Get Out There...

2008-10-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

I tried to set up to make a video to put on YouTube taking you thru our RV and come to find out, out of all of the equipment here, we couldn't seem to make it. The camcord that tapes audio/video, can't be hooked up to the tower pc without this, that and the other thing. The new camera we bought (on the spot decision) doesn't even record audio. I did not even know that they made them that way. Who watches video without sound? Hmmm, curious.
And then our best camera, that the shutter button broke on a beach trip, well, we ordered that part and Roger installed it okay, but it still will not work. It must be internal. So that will have to be sent off to be re-worked. And until then, I am stuck with photos only. I'll have to get creative, like our second born daughter, Jen.
She made this really cool video pretending to cut off her cats tail. It looks so real, but funny at the same time. It's posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuvTpS50rL4
She also has made clay-mation movies. She's quite clever. We'll see what we can do until I can get sound back into my videos.

I do know that my "adventurer's bone" is starting to ache again. We haven't been on a trip in the RV since we traveled to Maine and back the end of September.
We have talked about it several times. Nearly made plans a couple of times, but it just hasn't seemed to come right yet. It will and I can hardly wait.
I am trying, daily, to train myself to take pictures all the time of anything and everything. You never really know what will come of them and when they could come in handy.
I go out and 'visit' the RV every day. I don't know if it's because I'm middle-aged now or not, but just being able to enjoy the simplest of things is truly a treasure. I could not do that in the past. But today, I can enjoy just sitting in the RV, smelling it's smell, seeing the view it offers thru it's own windows and just remembering where we have come from (Alaska)...and where we are (Alabama).
RV's...don't-chya just love 'em?!

http://bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

Send me some of your personal RV stories and I'll put them in my book.

RV Stories By You Going YouTube!

2008-09-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right folks, we're going to head for YouTube! My two oldest daughters and I are going to have a little fun with this and post a video ad for RV Stories By You. Exposure is the name of any game and that's what I'm shooting for here. Once we have accomplished this, and it's loaded, I will post it here, also.
So be ready. It should be a unique exposure for my book.
Remember, send in your personsal, true stories to share with the world!
http://bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

In Search Of Your Story...

2008-09-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am getting more and more excited about this adventure every day! I keep coming up with different ideas on how I am going to gather this vast array of stories and it is just too exciting.
As I cruise the web, state-by-state, investigating the different options of places to park our RV for the night, I start to get goose bumps and my heart races.
I start thinking about how nice it will be to make a photo album made up of pictures taken of Roger and I standing in front of all these different signs stating who's who for campgrounds.
I think about how nice it will be to get to know all these different people over the years as we make our rounds year by year.
I imagine receiving soooo many stories that I can't fit them all in one book and begin a "Part Two".

I am going to continue to work on my web page as well. I would like to embed a place where you can go and type in your story right there on site, edit, spell check, even have a word counter, then just hit the "Enter" button. That will be sweet. However, I'm told that its harder than I think. So we'll see.

In the mean time, happy RVing, happy living and happy writing your story and emailing it to me!
Get busy!!

http://bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

Everyday is an adventure!

2008-09-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Going through life just on a day-to-day basis, for some, can be quite yawning, and perhaps even a bit tedious. But I have learned that it is solely up to each individual to decide that. Your surroundings do not make you, but you make your surroundings.
I have learned recently about the Law of Attraction and how our thoughts do become things. Whether we believe it or not, it is always turned on. We are always attracting-good or bad depending on our thoughts.
So, with this new knowledge to apply to my already colorful life, things are looking more up and up than ever before! My life is one great adventure after another! Some of which you will have to wait for this book to come out to read about.

What I would like to hear about are some of your great tales of adventure. Use the time to reflect back and reminisce about "that time"...you laughed so hard at your grandchild's antics that you fell over backwards in your lawn chair, or about the time the raccoon's noises during the night woke you and you found him sitting in the middle of the picnic table munching your favorite cookies.
Whatever the memory, whatever the feelings it leaves you with, write it down. Email it to me. I will add it to my book RV Stories By You for all to read and enjoy.

View my website for all the details and email me your great story!!

www.bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

Web Site is Up

2008-09-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hey there Fellow RVer's!!

I thank you for your stories and your patience with me getting my web site worked out and up and running. I would like you to go ahead and take a look at it and read it all over. It has information in it that I have not offered here. I will probably be tweaking from time to time with new pictures and add sidelines and links as I go. I think I enjoy tweaking as much as I do writing stories! Here's the link:

http://bigwealth2u.com/rv_stories_by_you.htm

Remember, send me your great story to:

Email: rvstories@roadrunner.com

Have a Great Sunday!

Still Working on the Web Site

2008-09-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Once again, still trying to figure out how to upload my web site. I can see why people pay big bucks to have someone else fret with it.
I am going to copy and paste, or at least attempt to copy and paste the essence of my web site so that you can preview it here. The web site is just an informational guide and acknowledgement of permission for me to have your story. Here it is, less the picturs:

RV STORIES BY YOU

If there is one thing in common that RV’ers experience,it is the purest of pleasure in finally being able to sit down in your favorite lawn chair after having set up your camp site. That “ahhhh” feeling of getting off your feet and begin relaxing is the tops.
If you are an RV’er and have a great, personal, true story that you would like to share with other like-minded RV’ers, this is the place to do just that. Only this won't be an online ebook. I am going to put all of these great stories together IN PRINT. I am collecting stories from all across America and Canada to put into print for all to enjoy.
By the time you get done reading this page, you will feel the need to see your story in print too. You know it’s a fact that there is something about seeing your own words and name in print that make you feel a little more real, a little more alive. And now is your chance! Let me show you that I am right. Let me put your words in print.
Select a category for your story, and within the allotted amount of words for that category, type out your story and email it to me. But first, please review the Submission Guidelines and Agreement at the bottom of this page prior to sending in your story(ies).

CHAPTER TOPIC SELECTIONS

Beaches (up to 500 words)
Camping Area’s Festivities (up to 500 words)
Humor-Misc (up to 500 words)
Humor-Pets (up to 500 words)
Kids (up to 400 words)
Love (up to 600 words)
Other-Anything Goes (up to 500 words)
Pools (up to 300 words)
Restaurants (up to 300 words)
Shower Rooms (up to 200 words)
The Office (up to 300 words)
Travel A to Z (up to 500 words)
Troubles (up to 400 words)

Once you have written your story and are happy with it, send it to:
RVStories@roadrunner.com

You may also send up to two (2) jpeg pictures that go with your story, attached (not embedded)to the email as well. I do not guarantee the printing of these pictures in the book, but all will be considered and one or two per topic will be selected.

Upon sending your email to me, you certify that you are the sole owner of your story and that it is not published anywhere else or pending to be published anywhere else. I do not accept previously published stories. I consider work that has appeared in print journals or on blogs or other websites to be "previously published.” You are also granting your permission for my sole use to use and edit if needed, your emailed story for my next book: RV Stories By You. By sending the email, you also give me first rights to the publishing of your story. Your story will be accompanied by your name, town and state unless you indicate to me otherwise.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement forRV Stories By You
The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.
Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.
One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.
Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.
Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email.
RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again.
*I certify that I have the right to submit the text and photo I am submitting. My submission signifies agreement to the above and that I agree to grant an exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, transferable, perpetual license to publicly print my submission in this book only to Author Lisa M Tozier-Rowe.
I also grant RV Stories By You the right to pursue anyone who copies my submission.

I'm BaAck!

2008-09-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a past two weeks! I have flown to Maine to visit with my parents and help out where I can. My dad was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgery. He survived the surgery. A lot of pain. He wasn't recoverying like he ought to and a second surgery was predicted. I guess the threat of having to undergo the knife again was threat enough to produce results, because the tables turned and he started to show progress in healing. Wonderful! He did not have to have the second surgery and is now home continueing to heal.

After I get my pics developed (I didn't have my digital camera with me) I will post them.

Also, our oldest daughter is on the volleyball team and is having a very exciting season. That is keeping us busy as well. Their team has grown tremendously over the past two months. It is wonderful to watch this.

I apologize for the delay in blogging, but I baa-cckk!

And the RV has good news too. Its breaks are completely redone and brandy-newby thru and thru!! Sweet!

We can hardly get her on the road for our next adventure!!

I am going to work this week on getting my web site up with all the details and information on submitting your story according to the specs I'm looking for. It will have an easy place to submit your story and pictures, if you so choose.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You.r

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again. rvstories@roadrunner.com

Gustov

2008-09-01T05:32:00.000-07:00

With the wind blowing the way it is, it is probably a good idea to stay inside. We have put the portable grill inside, secured the outside whirlpool cover, put all the bikes in the big garage and closed all the garage doors and outside doors. Rain will come next.
The last hurricane "residue" that came thru, left the back yard covered in beach sand! We are about 96 miles from the beach! White beach sand on and in everything. I wonder what Gustov will surrender to us.
We have two family members that have their birthdays side-by-side, so we celebrated both their birthdays yesterday out on the lake tubing. It was a really great day! Only two rain clouds came in. We were able to actually drive out from underneath one of them. That was funny. It rained "over there" but not right where we were. We all had a fabulous time. We ate cake twice.
Now today is clean-up day. Then...since it is storming outside, GAME TIME! Monopoly or Spades? Phase 10 or SkipBo?
HAVE A GREAT LAOBR DAY WEEKEND! BE SAFE! BE HAPPY!

Share your RV Story!

You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarantee of the use of your photos in the book.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You.

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again. rvstories@roadrunner.com

Alabama

2008-08-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Now that we have landed in Alabama and carved out our little nich in this world, we have made several trips to the pan handles beaches and have even made a big trip to Maine. (my husband and I were born and raised there and still have most of our family there)
Shortly after hanging our hats here, we started investigating what town had to offer. Here are some Park pictures we took.
And we took on the water park too. The Water Park had one "ride" that seemed exciting but safe enough at the same time, so Roger and I allowed ourselves to be talked into going on it.

Wow! What a ride! I have been throw from a horse, lived thru car accidents and chased by a mad man but this ride! Oh my.....it tops them all! I was so scared! I faced the floor from two stories high and was throw at it (well, it at least felt like it)! At least I know now that I have a healthy and strong heart! It won't happen again, on purpose, I can tell ya that! haha! I'll stick to the kiddy slides, thank you very much!
We also experienced their Adventure park with the race cars, water pool, batting cages and arcades. That was a blast! Even my mother participated in the race cars. Once my dad heard of it, he thought she had lost her marbles for sure to do it, but her face proved different in the photos. She had a wonderful time, too. And we topped that day off with their night time mini-golf course. Its pretty bad when your six year old son gets holes-in-one 50% of the time, kicking his parents butts. I suppose we could us some practice.
So much more to share. I will spread this out for another day.
Now its your turn to share your stories.
You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarantee of the use of your photos in the book.
Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You.

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again. rvstories@roadrunner.com

RVing Through

2008-08-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

We had a most wonderful time working our way through the Grand Canyon. We stopped in Carmeron, Arizona for the night and did laundry in their little facilities there, and picked up some groceries. We even got to take real showers with tokens (even though we had to watch the door for each other....just for safety) A local caught up to my husband and negotiated with him over this bag of hand-made necklaces. They were beautiful necklaces. He asked $20 for the whole bag! It had five necklaces in it. Each one very different from the next, all hand-made and very beautiful. "Deal"! So, today, in my jewelry box, in my walk-in closet hang those five Genuine Arizonian Necklaces. I wear one nearly every day. (they go with everything!) My camera is in the shop right now, but later, I will take photos of them and run them in here just for the sake of sharing. After that we barrelled on thru to Arlington, Texas. He did get to see the night view of Albuquerque, New Mexico. What a broad spance of city lights that was! After cresting the top of the hill coming down into the city East, it just seemed to vanish into the lights. It left little but a speckling of lights in the rearview mirror once through. It was night time and not a lot of action was going on. But coming down over that hill, the first view, was breath-taking. I am glad that we got to see it at night time. Then we went south into Roswell! I was nervous, my husband was excited. We stopped for gas in Roswell and bought some scratch tickets, they all won something! Nice. Then as we were driving thru Roswell, something strange happened. It wasn't that there were jack rabbits all over the place, dozens and dozens of them, but our headlights ont he RV went out! Pitch black! Barely any moon light to even go by. The good and the bad: it was late at night and no traffic to hit us, but no help either. Roger figured out that the headlight switch was over heating. We stopped in town. Dead silence. He worked on the lights and the rest of us tried to sleep. He did manage to get some neat pictures of UFO's coming out of the sides of buildings and a few aliens, but its funny, not one picture we took came out clear. Strange.
We finally travelled until we could not travel any farther and tied our horses (the RV) in Arlington, Texas for the night. We got to stretch our legs again and enjoy the cacti of the land and the southern drawl of the store keepers. We celebrated my birthday there. The kids had been squirreling away coins here and there and saved enough to go to the KOA's store. All on their own, they spent their money of different little gifts for me on my birthday. I nearly cried, but managed to hold it in. They bought a nice card and signed it, they bought a silk rose, a little bear and some candy. It was so sweet.
Knowing it was our last night out on the road before finding our new home, we let the kids stay up late and play hide-n-seek. They learned what wire grass was real quick.
My husband gave me my birthday present in the buttoned down RV then tucked us all in to bed for a good nights sleep.
We pulled up stakes in the morning, no hurries. I think we finally left by ten a.m. We drove straight on thru Louisianna, Mississippi to Alabama, stopping only for gas. Once we were in Alabama, things sure did get hilly all of a sudden. Roads twisted and turned, up and down. I think we snaked in around every tree out there! But we finally made. We crawled into Days Inn for the night around 12:30 a.m. We were barely ready to leave by check-out time the next day.
What a trip! What a trip!! Six kids, two parents, a 24 foot RV and a road trip from North Pole, Alaska to Dothan, Alabama! 4,327 miles! And we're all still alive and well and even still love traveling! Of course, we break it down a bit. Our last venture was from Alabama to Maine in the same RV.
Now that's another story for another day.

Now share your story. Tell me and the world a story or two of your adventrues while RVing.

You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarantee of the use of your photos in the book.
Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You.
The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again. rvstories@roadrunner.com

On To The GRAND CANYON!!

2008-08-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

On to the Grand Canyon! Wha-hoooo! It was most definitely the most breath-taking scenery that we have ever seen in real life. Yes, we say the blue ice burgs sliding every-so slowly down between the mountains on our drive to Seward, Alaska. Yes we saw a wild grizzly bear digging for grubs in the fall over in Denali National Park, Alaska. Yes, we even got to see the start of the Yukon Quest in 2002. We even got to see the Hoover Dam, but this! This beat them all easy! Hands down!
As we worked our way up into the brim of the canyon, our anticipation grew. We continually scanned the woods for wild life. There were several bucks and their doe spotted and we even saw a coyote. We saw the trail burros getting ready to head out with their team.
Then we arrived.

Once parked and out of the RV, (kinks and chinks all worked out of our travel-wary-butts) we stood in awe the rest of the visit. Here are just some of the dozens of photos we took.

Along with this crow picture is a cute story. He most definitely was human-oriented. He stayed just out of touch. We reached out to him several times, and he would hop or even just lean just enough to avoid the touch. Funny. The kids were tossing him crackers. He looked each piece over very carefully. Then he chose one and picked it up. Then he hopped over to the next piece and very skillfully picked that one up too, stacking it on top of the first piece. He continued to do this until he had five pieces of cracker all stacked up one-on-top of the other in his beak. Then, in an instant, they all flew out of his beak like playing 52-pick-up with a deck of cards. Phhhhhhh! All over the ground again. It was funny. Instead of trying to stack them again, he just stood over them, protecting them from other crows and ate them.

Here, our second daughter, our jokester, made it look like she was hanging off the edge of the

abyss. "Good one, Jen!"

Now its your turn. Go ahead and send me your adventure RV story and I will put in print.

You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarantee of the use of your photos in the book.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You.

Back On the Tires

2008-08-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

It wasn't all that bad on Ferry. Actually it was a great experience. We even got out from behind the broken islands to feel the real "ocean motion". The two youngest kids were playing with a large tonka truck. Each of them just stood across from each other and let the pitching of the Ferry do all the work on the truck. It rolled it to one kid, she'd turn the truck around in time for the pitch to roll it back towards her brother. He'd turn the truck around in time for the pitch to roll the truck back to her. It was funny. We're all weavin' and bobbin' with the boat. I loved it. It makes me even more anxious to own my own sailboat.
Anyway, we finally hit Bellingham, Washington and disembarked with the RV. We didn't even look back. Matter a fact, didn't even get any pictures! The camera never got pulled back out until we hit Nevada and Las Vegas!
Up until then, Roger and I just shotgun drove straight thru the night. We didn't stop and rest until we got down thru most of Nevada. Then we holed-up in a small hotel along the highway. It felt good to rest. It had a pool and some slot machines and a nice restaurant. All the things these travelers like at rest stops.
The scenery was new to us. The plant life was more desert looking and the folks seemed at odds with us being there. I don't think there's anything in that part of Nevada that would call us back there.
Now Las Vegas! That's a whole 'nother story. Boy oh, Boy! What a city! I can't wait to go back to that city! We drove straight thru it and then around it. It was an awesome site to see for sure! Here are some sites we saw on our way thru the center of the city:

Caesars Palace and Treasure Island and a Flying Saucer stuck in the side of a building! There was a motorcycle coming out of the side of a building too. And statues! The MGM building!
Lots and lots to see. I am in hopes that Roger and I will spend our 19th wedding anniversary there this November. Very exciting!

Now tell me one of your stories!! rvstories@roadrunner.com
You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarantee of the use of your photos in the book.
Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You.
The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again. rvstories@roadrunner.com

Haines, Alaska

2008-08-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

After our white-knuckling ride down through Canada to get back into Haines, Alaska, we were able to hole-up in a real nice Bed & Breakfast for three days waiting for the Ferry to arrive. Just across the street from the B&B was the cove. We all took time to comb the shores of Portage Cove for anything of interest. Once particular thing caught our eye, a strange looking tooth. It was huge, too, and looked like it may be a tooth for grinding. We showed it to the "lady of the house" and she said that it was a moose tooth. We were disappointed and interested all at the same time. We were kind of wanting it to be a whale tooth from an orca or something, but finding out the knowledge behind the moose kept it interesting enough to keep anyway. Having lived inland our whole lives, almost anything caught our eyes. The pink shells, the broken sand dollars, the sea glass, even empty crab shells. The smell of the salty air was invigorating. It was in November, so it was quite cold, but not as cold as the interior of Alaska was.
As wonderful as it was to be in a "warmer climate", we were still anxious to get moving further south. When the Ferry arrived, we were more than ready. Our RV was packed to the hilt, and then a bit more, inside and out. The Ferry, Malaspina, was our first Ferry ride. We had to make sure all battery draining items were unpluggedand turned off in the RV. In doing this, we had to leave the air to the fish tank, yes...we brought the fish...off and the heater to the hermit crabs...yes, we brought the hermit crabs too...off. One of the two crabs made it, none of the fish survived. It was just too cold for them "down below". But at least we tried. I didn't realize how cold it would be down in the parking levels of the Ferry. My bad.
The kids had a great time exploring the Ferry. They played arcade games, watched movies in the on-board theater and took time to walk around on the outside deck, braving the blasting, frigid winds. Some of us were fortunate enough to see some Orca's coming up for air. There were about four in that pod, but probably more. It was an awesome sight to be so close.

By the time we docked for our only port-of-call, we were ready to get off and get some groceries. Roger and I had mapped out a course to walk straight to the closest grocery store. We ripped our shopping list in two and covered the store like two experts in record time. We could not risk for a second that the Ferry leave without us. Our six little lives were on board. After shopping, we half-walk half-jogged back to the dock and was relieved to be back on board.
It wasn't too much more time that passed and we were at our disembarking destination: Bellingham, Washington. Man were we all glad to get back into our RV! I couldn't believe the relief I felt once we even sat in it. The Ferry ride was wonderful and comfortable and everything, but enough was enough and we were ready to get our wheels under us again.
Bellingham welcomed us with open arms. We were focused on directions and didn't even get one snap shot off, but at least we were headed south once again.
This story will be continued later.
Be sure to leave your story for me to add to the collection that will make up my new book: RV Stories By You.

You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarentee of the use of your photos in the book.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again.

Our Arrival

2008-08-13T06:34:00.001-07:00

Once we had decided that leaving Alaska was the only way to survive, we went on the hunt for "the right mode of exit". My husband and I had a wonderful time looking at all different kinds of RV's, fifth wheels, plane ticket costs, and all else in between. We determined the kind of money that we could put into the "transporter" and the kind of money it would take to fund our trip out.
Once all this was determined, it narrowed our search down some...some. We knew that we weren't driving out with a $300,000 Motor Home. We knew that we could not fly out and send our belongings. Not only would it take three months for our stuff to get there, but it would cost an ungodly amount of money.
So, as we cruised around to the different shops and garages, we stopped and checked out every RV on the side of the road with a For Sale sign stuck up in the windshield. Then we passed this Park & Sell that had several different campers on it. We stopped. And there she was! We both just knew! She was The One! She wasn't much to the regular Joe looking at her, but she was perfect for us and our family's needs. A Brougham, '82 conversion van. Sleeps six. Yes, we are a family of eight, but Roger and I drove the whole time other than hotel stops from time to time, so it worked. It fit on the ferry from Haines, Alaska to Washington just fine, too.
Now that we found her, paid for her and have her home where we could work on her, clean her, deodorize her and such, our hearts were full.
It is getting late in the season. It's all the way into November now. Its freezing, snowing and not very good travel weather, but its time to go. Our stuff left two weeks prior and our ferry date was coming up. We left around midnight and drove straight thru to Haines.It was treacherous to say the least! Mountains, curves, snow, no snow banks to guide you. No tire tracks from someone in front of you. Nothing really to go by except the two ditches indicating blackness to swallow you up if you veered too far one way or the other. It was tricky all the way to the end with slush and snow. It was bad, but Roger made it thru bringing his family safely to our hotel in Haines.
Here are some Haines, Alaska photos:

More on our trip from Alaska to come.
But until then, please, share your story with the world. Email you adventure, personal, true story to me to put into print in my 'picnic table' book: RV Stories By You

You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarentee of the use of your photos in the book.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email. RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again.

Brake Repair Under Way

2008-08-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Two things are happening here. One, the chance to save a lot of money for future camping;
and two, a chance to get to know our RV a little more personally.
Having backed the RV into the garage, being careful of the truck and the things inside the garage, my husband backed it in there just right. It was a little tight on the top at first entrance, but it cleared the roll-up door... just enough.
It took some figuring and manipulating, but eventually the ol' girl let us jack her up. She went hard too. Roger had to use some serious muscle. Even after we went and bought a bigger jack. But we finally got the tires off the ground and the project underway.
Well, after our first break, walking back to the garage from the house, we saw what it was that was causing her(the rv) to fight us being jacked up.
We were jacking her up against the roof of the building! No wonder she was so heavy! We jacked against the roof, too!
On to the dissembling. I had the book. Roger had the know-how. After his getting the axle shaft and gasket off and safely out of the way, the brake drum came next. What we saw inside of that was amazing. Here, I went out to the garage with my camera and took a little video so that you could see it first hand.

We could tell since Pennsylvania that something was up. Then the brake light came on. Not cool. Especially when the whole family is aboard. We had a budget for the trip and it did not include a taxi ride for eight from Penn to southern Alabama, so we kept going. We held in our hearts that everything would be okay. And like I said in the little video above, something bigger than us that day got us home.

Next time, we'll carry a little bigger budget...just in case.

Now it's your turn. Tell me your story. Write it out and email it to me. rvstories@roadrunner.com

Email your story for print today!
You can also submit up to two photos with your story. No guarentee of the use of your photos in the book.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement for RV Stories By You

A Saturday come and gone

2008-08-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

The RV remains in the drive way awaiting its check-up. Other things prioritized themselves above its repairs for the day. It will be a job for us to take on the duel rear tires ourselves. I suppose that has something to do with putting on the back burner for a weekend.
On our way back to Alabama from Maine, the brake light came on. Not something you want to see while you're driving thru the Blue Ridge Mountains with your entire family inside. We kept our thoughts positive thoughts and hung in there until we could stop at a gas station.
It appeared to be the back brakes giving us the trouble according to the brake fluid reservoir. We decided that all was safe enough to get us home. We braved Atlantic City and on to Montgomery. All was good. No problems. Still had brakes. Seventy miles later, we made it home.
Home. As great as it feels to pull out of the driveway to leave on a trip, is as great a feeling pulling back into that same driveway coming back home.

We will want to get to it this week though, so that we can take her out for next weekend. Here in Alabama, if you stand still too long, you get ants.

Don't forget:

Submission Guidelines and Agreement forRV Stories By You

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.
Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.
One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.
Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.
Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email.
RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again.

BBQ is Gold!!

2008-08-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, its true. BBQ is gold, to some. When you are out on a walk, anywhere, down your street, at the park, at a campground, and the breeze comes in at the right angle and brings you an aroma of charcoals heating steak to perfection is just too much to ignore. Your jowels start to quiver. Your mouth starts to build saliva in anticipation of the taste to follow the scent. Yep, BBQ is gold. Mmmm, I can nearly smell it now!

Now it's your turn. Send in your favorite recipe or a BBQ story or both! Email your story to me for printing in my book: RV STORIE BY YOU rvstories@roadrunner.com

By emailing your story to me, you agree to these terms:

Submission Guidelines and Agreement forRV Stories By You

The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email.RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again.*I certify that I have the right to submit the text and photo I am submitting. My submission signifies agreement to the above and that I agree to grant an exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, transferable, perpetual license to publicly print my submission in this book only.I also grant RV Stories By You the right to pursue anyone who copies my submission.

Don't Forget That Funny Story!

2008-08-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

RV STORIES BY YOU

Just imagine...your story in print. In print! For anyone and everyone to read! I know that makes me excited to think about! You know its true. It makes you tingle just a little bit to think about some stranger somewhere holding RV STORIES BY YOU in their hands, swinging slightly in their hammock, and they come to your story. They can't put the book down! It is so captivating to read another RV'ers story that they just keep reading. And your story, he-he, makes them giggle just a little bit. I can even see her putting her hand up to her mouth to hide her out-loud-blatant-laugh.
Wouldn't that make you feel great to make someone else smile because you shared your story? How does it make you feel when someone else's story makes you smile? Aren't you grateful that they shared their story? Boogie boards rain leaves! You must email your story to me so that everyone can see your story in print.
You can even send along one or two relevant pictures to go with your story if you like. I don't guarentee all photos will be printed, but at least I can give everyone a chance.
So go ahead, type out that story and email it to me right now - TODAY!

RVSTORIES@ROADRUNNER.COM

The world wants to hear from YOU!

Lisa M Tozier-Rowe

The Book

2008-08-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

The exciting thing about my putting this book together is being able to read all of these stories from other like-minded people and hearing all the neat things that happen in their lives. I am lucky to be able to do this. I can hardly wait to get this out to the public so that everyone can have a chance to read these neat stories, too.

If I end up with a lot of stories that don't fit the guidelines for one reason or another, too provocative, language, brutal, or whatever, I think I'll put out another book for RV Stories and call it something like, "RV STories: Peeking Thru Your Fingers" or "RV Stories: Uncut". We'll see about that one.

I am hoping for enough stories trickling in to continue on with a Part Two. Either way, it is a great chance for campers-alike to send in their story to get into print and share with the world.

So, get typing! And send your submission story to:

rvstories@roadrunner.com

Sunset Story

2008-08-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

The last July 4th holiday posed a wonderful day. Myself and the family all packed up into the RV and headed for the Gulf coast. It was going to be a wonderful weekend, we could tell. It started out a bit rough after we got there. We ended up with a camp site that did not have any electrical hook-ups but we were prepared for that and had brought the generator. It was all gased up and ready to go. It wasn't too long after setting up camp and breaking a good sweat that we decided that getting in out of the heat would be a nice reprieve. We started up the generator, had all the fans running and relaxed a bit. Not forty minutes later the generator began to sputter and cough. yup, it was out of gas. I wasn't prepared for that. So, the rest of the trip went quite hot and sweaty. The only time we cooled off was when we were either in the ocean up to our necks or in the camp's bathrooms where it was air conditioned.

Even with all that heat suffering, we managed to have a good time.

In this first photo, the sun on the beach was just beginning to set. We were waiting for darkness to set in so that the fire works would begin.

In the second photo, the kids worked on digging a hole in the beach and they all climbing into it for the picture. There are two of our kids missing in this photo, they were in Maine with their grandparents visiting. Yes, six kids total. what a crew! (my husband and I have been married for 18 years now)

So, in the future, we will either A-Get a reservation; B-Carry enough gasoline to last the vacation stay; or C-Both.

Lesson learned.

Happy RVing!!

Lisa M Tozier-Rowe

The Email to Send Your Story To

2008-08-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

There. I finally jumped thru enough hoops to get the email set up to go with this book writing endeavor. It was set up last week, but being computer illiterate, I couldn't access it until today.

So!! Here is the email that all RV stories can be sent to. I prefer everyone to wait until I get my website up and running due to the submission guidelines and release.

RVStories@roadrunner.com

Just real quick, I will copy and paste what I have for my website so that you are aware of the rules.

Submission Guidelines and Agreement forRV Stories By You
The submission to this site must be original (not copied), in good taste, legal, accurate and true, no profanity, non-defamatory, non-threatening, non-confidential, non-infringing of copyrights owned by others and relevant for this site.
Please do not enter HTML or ALL CAPS.
One story per category. You may not submit the same story under multiple categories. You may submit more than one story, but one per category.
Posts should be non-commercial/non-promotional in nature and not contain commercial web addresses, promotional emails or phone numbers.
Up to two pictures may be included. They must be as attachments, not embedded into email.
RV Stories By You reserves the right to reject or edit or delete any parts that violate the above, including the right to ban offenders from submitting again.
*I certify that I have the right to submit the text and photo I am submitting. My submission signifies agreement to the above and that I agree to grant an exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, transferable, perpetual license to publicly print my submission in this book only.
I also grant RV Stories By You the right to pursue anyone who copies my submission.

Also, I am asking individuals to label their work in categories:

Beaches (500 words)
Humor – Misc (500 words)
Humor – Pets (500 words)
Kids (400 words)
Local Foods/Festivities (500 words)
Love (600 words)
Other – Anything Goes (500 words)
Pools (300 words)
Restaurant (300 words)
Scary (600 words)
Shower Rooms (200 words)
The Office (300 words)
Travel A to Z (500 words)
Troubles (400 words)

So, let me have YOUR RV story to share in print with the rest of the world!

Lisa M Tozier-Rowe

Introducing......your story in print

2008-08-04T05:18:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about my latest in direction my life has been nudged to go in.

I am a writer at heart but have never pursued college or even classes on honing my writing skills. I just like to write, nothing fancy...just write. And lately I have had more to say.

My family and I all share a passion for going in the RV, even just overnighters. It gives us the chance to feel a bit adventurous, even if only on a small scale.

We live about 90-100 miles from the beach, depending on which beach we decide to go to. It takes us about two hours to get there in the RV. So its worth an over-nighter. We do take our dog with us but we haven't stretched out and taken the cat yet. I think that may be next.

So What I have decided to do is to put together a book. A book about RV stories. And not only comprised of my stories, but of other people's stories. I am developing a website in the next few days where people will be able to go and submit their RV story to be published in my book. There won't be any monitary reward for this, but rather the 'reward' for submitting your RV story will be the fact that your story and name will be in print for all the world to read. Who wouldn't like to see their own writings in print with their name?

I think it is so exciting. I did some research and there isn't any place out there where you can do this. You can submit stories for online reading, yes, but not in PRINT! So I will be offering this only chance for people to be able to do this. It's going to be awesome and I am so excited about it. I can hardly wait to read all the stories that come in. I have many different subjects that can be written under and I will have the grand task of editing and putting the whole book together for smooth reading. Nice.

A picnic table book instead of a coffee table book. I like it!