Heavilin Herald
February 27, 2004
Well, here we are in
Yuma, Arizona. I think we have discovered the RV capitol of the world! As
we drove from the town of Yuma, we were bombarded with RV parks. The most
interesting thing to me is that most of them are completely full. These
people come from all over the country and spend the entire winter here. I
can understand why. It is about 70 degrees in the middle of February. We
have learned a new vocabulary in this world of transient people.
RV = recreation
vehicle
5th Wheel = a trailer that has an extension that hooks on to a
contraption mounted in the bed of a large pickup truck.
Park models = a stationary mobile home or small modular home that can
be purchased or rented within an RV park.
Pop out or slide = an extension of a trailer or motor home which
slides in and out to extend the area of living space when the vehicle
is stationary. Many recreation vehicles have one or two. On this trip
we have seen several that have four pop outs.
Vacationers or Campers = Those who travel occasionally.
Full Timers = Those who live in their RV's continuously, as we do.
Tow = car or trailer you are pulling behind the RV. We saw a
bumper sticker on a vehicle being towed. It said, "I only go where I
am towed."
Rig = your entire traveling system.
Pull-through = A park site that you can drive into and out of without
having to back up or disconnect your tow.
We have seen several
RV's that have a bumper sticker which says, "HOME IS WHERE YOU PARK IT."
This year we have
already had six weeks in Morro Bay, California, three days in Redlands,
and 4 days in San Diego. While there, we spent a day with our friends from
Redlands and enjoyed a tour of the Bay on their boat. We also visited our
friends Tom and Ruth and their daughter, Carol. We expect to be in Yuma
for three weeks. I am working on another doll house and expect to finish
it while we are here in Yuma.
Traveling full time
does take some adjusting and rearranging, but I think we have done quite
well. We have learned to do all of our banking by automatic deposit and
withdrawal, by phone or on-line. We have a mailing address in Redlands and
they forward our mail twice a month after we call and give them a current
mailing address. We have learned that the purchase of a small heater cut
down the use of our propane tremendously. Our cell phone connection to the
Internet is working very nicely and you can always reach us via the cell
phones or e-mail. We found a very nice little church to attend in Morro
Bay, and we will do that whenever we are staying longer than a week or so
in an area. Ordering on-line has been a real life saver for me. The kids
and grandkids still can get their usual gift cards even though Grammie is
wandering around the country. I am also able to order books I want
through Amazon.
Actually we have
worked just about everything out with the exception of our standard
medical needs. Having to wait so long in California for a needed
appointment or test just hasn't worked into our schedule very well. Right
now we have to schedule routine physicals a year in advance. When we get
this one worked out, we'll let you know. We have also learned that it is
possible to save a sizable amount of money by claiming residency in a
state other than California. We are learning all we can about all of these
changes.
Marilyn and Glen