Escapees March/April 2016

Sharing the RV Lifestyle

www.escapees.com | March/April 2016

Advice from a Full-time RVer WORKING FROM THE ROAD PAGE 24

Enhance Engine Performance ENGINE TUNERS PAGE 69

Special Edition: Celebrating Xscapers First Birthday

ONL INE AND MOB I LE BANK ING

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$20 /MONTH ATM REBATES 1

The perfect financial partner for RVers As an Escapees member, 2 enjoy Alliant’s low loan rates for an RV purchase or refinance. Extended terms available. Full timers welcome!

Alliant RV loan rates as low as 2.99% APR 3 Full timers as low as 3.74% APR 3

To apply, contact Rich Holke – 800-328-1935, ext. 3604 • rholke@alliantcreditunion.com Jadwiga Goraczynski – 800-328-3623, ext. 3623 • jgoraczynski@alliantcreditunion.com Ask about our exclusive special offers for Escapees members.

(1) Surcharge-free ATMs include Alliant-owned ATMs and ATMs that are part of the Alliance One, Allpoint, Bank of the West, CO-OP Network, Credit Union 24 CU Here and Publix Presto networks when you use your Alliant Convenience card, Alliant Visa HSA debit card or Alliant checking account Visa debit card. Alliant will rebate fees incurred at other nonsurcharge-free ATMs up to $20 per month per membership account when you use your Alliant checking account Visa debit card to make a deposit, withdrawal, transfer or balance inquiry. The rebate does not apply to cash advances fromAlliant Visa credit cards through ATMs nor to the Alliant Convenience card, Alliant Visa HSA debit card and Visa International Service Assessment (ISA) fees. (2) Alliant Credit Union membership is an exclusive benefit available to members of the Escapees RV Club and their family members. Applicants must also meet other eligibility requirements for Alliant membership. Please visit alliantcreditunion.com for details regarding Alliant membership eligibility requirements. (3) APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Membership is required. Alliant RV loan rate as low as 2.99% APR (as low as 3.74% APR for full timers) as of 01/01/2016. Loan approval, APR and downpayment required and other terms and conditions based on LTV (Loan to Value), payment method, creditworthiness, collateral (including age of vehicle), terms of loan and residency status. Advertised rates include automatic payment option. Rates are 0.4% higher without automatic payment option. Refinancing of loans from other lenders is available. Member is responsible for any fees associated with transferring of title. Rates are 1% higher when refinancing an existing Alliant loan. Financing available in all 50 states. All loans are subject to approval. Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change. You must be 18 or older to apply. We may not extend credit to you if you do not meet Alliant criteria. Allowable terms vary by loan amount. ©2016 Alliant Credit Union. All Rights Reserved. SEG941-R01/16

Something this good Should be shared...

ESCAPEES RV Club © A TOTAL SUPPORT NETWORK FOR RVERS Sharing the RV Lifestyle

Xscapers’ night-time campfire at the 2016 Quartzsite, Arizona, Convergence. Photo by Melanie Carr #8.

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ACRONYMS

ESCAPEES MAGAZINE Submissions There are no deadlines for submitting articles. Only completed material is accepted for review. No queries, please. Material is compiled many issues in advance, so please note if your material is time-sensitive. If you would like to become a contributor and obtain a copy of Escapees magazine writer’s and photographic guidelines, visit www.escapees.com/magazine , call 888-757-2582 or e-mail editor@escapees.com or graphics@escapees.com . Department Deadlines Nov 10 • Jan/Feb Jan 10 • March/April March 10 • May/June May 10 • July/August July 10 • Sept/Oct Sept 10 • Nov/Dec Department information includes “Tips,” “Different Viewpoints,” “SKP Stops” and all chapter- and BOF-related material. Submissions will be condensed, used on a space-available basis and may even be held for a future issue. Department material generally does not qualify for payment. Send submissions by e-mail to departmentseditor@escapees.com .

BOF

Birds of a Feather (Escapees special-interest groups)

CARE

Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees Commercial membership

CM

ERPU HOP LCLA

Escapees Rainbow Parks Unlimited

Head Out Program

Limited copyright license agreement

MYSKP Members-only Website access RV Recreational vehicle SKP

Support, knowledge and parking or special kind of people (or Escapees)

CONTACT US

Escapees magazine editor@escapees.com

SKP #

Escapees membership number

TBA VCR WiFi

To be announced

Escapees SmartWeigh smartweigh@escapees.com Escapees Travel Agency eta@escapees.com Event registration registration@escapees.com General club business clubbusiness@escapees.com Graphic arts department graphics@escapees.com Head Out Program (HOP) hopinfo@escapees.com Mail-forwarding service mailservice@escapees.com

Address changes (mail service) mailservice@escapees.com • 888-757-2582 Address changes (permanent) clubbusiness@escapees.com • 888-757-2582 Advertising sales department advertising@escapees.com BOF (Birds of a Feather) groups bof@escapees.com Chapters chapterdirectors@escapees.com Commercial membership commercialmembership@escapees.com Departments material departmentseditor@escapees.com Discount parks discountparks@escapees.com Escapees RVers’ Boot Camp bootcamp@escapees.com Escapees CARE Center careinc@escapees.com • 936-327-4256

Volunteer club representative Wireless for networking and Internet access

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Be in Control of Your Membership Information

The MYSKP section of www.escapees.com allows you to change your personal club information, access the online membership directory, sign up for Club News and more! Visit www.escapees.com to register.

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Visit www.escapees.com/aboutus/182-information-kit to request a FREE info kit, copy of Escapees magazine or mail service information.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Adventure, Education and Support Services • Escapees Mail Service (Provides three domicile addresses: Texas, Florida and South Dakota!) • Escapees Mail Service scanning option • Escapees magazine (digital versions and archives online, too!) • Chapters (US, Canada, Mexico) • BOFs (groups sharing common interests) • Escapade (educational events) • HOPs (unique land, sea and air adventures) • Website (active discussion forum packed with RV resources) • Escapees Club News (stay informed!) • Strong RV advocacy coalition (protecting RVers’ rights) • RVers’ Boot Camp (critical RV training) • Escapees SmartWeigh (let us weigh your RV) • Exclusive RV safety information (travel with peace of mind) • Escapees Job Board • ESCAPEES Maps (plan your trip online)

Association Specials • RV insurance (full-time RV specialists) • RVer Insurance Exchange • CARE (rest, recover and recuperate) • Emergency road service (24-hour help) • Product and service discounts

• Credit union membership • Financial and legal services • Products and Services provided by commercial members A Comprehensive RV Park System • Rainbow Parks—friendly, clean and fun. Reservations available. • Nearly 1,000 commercial parks offering 15%–50% discounts • Inexpensive overnight parking • E-mail stations, WiFi and phone services (See “Park Chart” for pricing.) • Activities, workshops and meals • Home-base options, plus short- and long-term parking/leases • Overnight parking at SKPs’ homes • Rallies welcome

2 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com

Staff

“Happiness is enjoying what we are doing today, as well as planning what we are going to do tomorrow.”

Thoughts for the Road By Kay Peterson #1, Escapees RV Club Co-founder and Director

Want more? Visit www.escapees.com to read more of Kay Peterson’s “Thoughts for the Road” columns. See page 75 for information on ordering Chasing Rainbows , a compilation of Kay’s favorite columns.

Looking back: May/June ‘86

Sometimes taking a chance means giving up a home and a known way of life to try something new. Many people we met told us they envied our RV lifestyle, but some situation makes them feel this isn’t the right time for them to do it. Many of them will go to their graves still waiting for the “right time.” And sometimes blowing chances results from not taking the time to do something out of the ordinary. How many opportunities we’ve all missed in talking to someone unique, like the folks from a foreign country camped near- by. We really meant to visit them, but when we ¿ nally got around to it, they had gone. The things we regret are not the things we have done, but rather the things we never got around to doing. So, like Cinderella, we blow our chances while we fantasize about how we’d like things to be. I call it the Cinderella Syndrome—fantasizing that someone (Prince Charming) will come along and make us happy. Or we look for something to happen (a dance with the prince) that will bring us instant and eternal happiness. Happiness isn’t having a fairy godmother wave a magic wand to grant your particular goal. Yet, how often we play that game: “I’ll be so happy when I get married, when I have my ¿ rst child, when my last child leaves home, or when the house sells and I can go RVing full-time.” Or “I’ll be so happy when I win the lottery!” Achieving a particular goal is no guarantee of perpetual happiness. Happiness is enjoying what we are doing today, as well as planning what we are going to do tomorrow. Happiness is not a person. It is not an event. It is not a “thing” you acquire. Happiness is an attitude you carry with you wherever you go and in whatever you do. It is accepting the realities of life no matter how unfair or painful those realities may be. It is enjoying where we are now, enjoying life moment-by-mo- ment as we move ever closer to tomorrow’s goals. The only truly happy person is the one who doesn’t let the enjoyment of today get lost in tomorrow’s dreams.

When I was a child, C inderel la was my favorite fairy tale. It sounded so romantic. But from a mature viewpoint, I realize C inderel la was actual ly a pathetic creature. S he allowed herself to be used like a doormat by two self- ish stepsisters and her mean, ugly stepmother (in fairy tales all stepmothers are mean and ugly). Cinderella is old enough to marry when Prince Charming ¿ nds her, so she is certainly old enough to walk away from an unpleasant situation and change her life. But she lacks the initiative to do that. She lacks brains, too. Along comes a fairy godmother with a magic wand ready to grant her any wish, and what does she ask for? A talent on which she can build a career? She could have asked to be set up in a business making dresses for the whole court. She could, at least, have asked for a ride to the city and a job so she can get paid for cleaning houses, since that is all she seems to know how to do. But no, Cin- derella asks for a new dress so she can go to a dance! Talk about blowing your chances. Yet, isn’t that what all of us do? Opportunity knocks many times wearing different faces. Sadly, many of those opportunities never come again. I remember the time Joe was

all set to go skydiving, but the weather turned bad and they canceled the class. Somehow, he never got around to going again. Sometimes, we blow our opportunities because we are afraid—afraid to stick our necks out, afraid to try something new, afraid to take a chance.

www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 3

www.escapees.com . This alert signifies Internet-related information.

CONTENTS March/April 2016, Volume XXXVII, No. 5

FEATURES 12 Mobile Internet

Stay connected as you travel. BY CHRIS DUNPHY/CHERI VE ARD

19 Roadschooling

Your RV—the new mobile classroom. BY KIMBERLY TRAVAGLINO

24 Working on the Road

Advice from a full-time RVer. BY BRITTANY HIGHLAND

79

28 Work-camping at National Parks

A great way to earn income as you travel. BY BECKY SCHADE

32 Address and Domicile

Is your address working against you? BY MIRI KIM-WAKUTA

34 Telemedicine Fast and affordable medical assistance for RVers. BY RENE AGREDANO 62 Wildlife Crossing Avoid injury and vehicle damage. BY BETTY MULCAHY 64 Your RV Refrigerator Part 4—Controllers and recalls. BY PAUL UNMACK 69 Engine Tuners Enhance engine performance. BY EMILY FAGAN 79 App-y Travels Maximize RV adventures by smartphone. BY EVANNE SCHMARDER 82 From the Bookshelf Alaska, parks and small-town America. BY MARCELLA GAUTHIER 89 Improve Your Marriage How to regain that spark. BY DIANE BERRY

18

STAFF 3 Thoughts for the Road KAY PETERSON 6 The Editor’s Desk TAMMY JOHNSON 8 Message from the Board CATHIE CARR 16 Escapees Head Out Program Events LISA KOCA 888-757-2582 OR HOPINFO@ESCAPEES.COM 18 Camping Kids MELANIE CARR 27 RV Gadget Box MARK NEMETH 36 Weight and Safety Tip JIM KOCA 37 56th Escapade 2016 BOB AND MOLLY PINNER 888-757-2582 OR WWW.ESCAPEES.COM/ESCAPADE 77 Mark, My Words MARK NEMETH

32

Cara Curren shows off her ranger badges. Photo by Jess Curren.

4 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com

Brittany Highland

DEPARTMENTS

95 Advertisers Index 42 Birds-of-a-Feather Groups 46 Calling All Chapters

FOUNDERS Joe and Kay Peterson CLUB STAFF

45 Chapter Map 94 Classified Ads 57 Day’s End

24

COMPILED BY GUY GIPSON

Chief Executive Officer Chief Operations Officer

Shawn Loring Teresa Moore Sherri Burks Mark Nemeth Cindy Neilsen

59 Different Viewpoints 55 Events and Rally Calendar 96 Final Journeys 92 Marketplace 52 Park Chart and Events 50 SKP Get-togethers 84 SKP Stops 73 Tips 91 Viewfinder 2 Acronyms 2 Club Benefits 2 Club Contact Information 2 Department Deadlines 76 Escapees RVers’ Boot Camp 68 Escapees CARE, Inc. 36 Escapees SmartWeigh 2 Magazine Submissions 54 RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy CLUB EXTRAS

General Manager

RV Safety Education Director Rainbow Parks Administrator

69

Nat’l Escapade Directors Bob and Molly Pinner Chapter Directors/BOF Coordinators Mark and Dortha Hall HOP Director Lisa Koca Educational Instructor and RV Advocacy Jim Koca MAGAZINE STAFF Managing Editor Tammy Johnson Copy Editor Susie Gearing Editorial Assistant Kelly Evans-Hill Graphic Artist Krystina Evans Graphic Artist Cole Carter Advertising Director Kelly Evans-Hill • Submissions of features on all phases of RV living are welcome. Writers’ guidelines and payment schedule are available from the editor upon request. editor@escapees.com • For commercial display ads, call or e-mail the advertising department for rates. 888-757-2582. advertising@escapees.com • Send address changes to Escapees, Inc., 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 or e-mail changes to clubbusiness@escapees.com. Escapees magazine (ISSN-1556-7486) is published bimonthly by Escapees, Inc., 100 Rainbow Dr., Livingston, Texas 77351. Periodical postage paid at Livingston, Texas, and additional mail- ing offices. Call toll-free 888-757-2582 or 936-327-8873. Fax: 936-327-4388. Website: www.escapees.com . POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Escapees RV Club, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, Texas 77351-9300. Copyright© 2015 by Escapees, Inc. All rights reserved. Escapees magazine is published bimonthly by Escapees, Inc., RoVing Press, in Livingston, Texas. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a data-retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or any other, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opin- ions expressed under individual names are not necessarily those of the Escapees RV Club, its officers or the membership in general. Escapees does not knowingly accept deceptive or misleading ads. The name Escapees and the house-in-a-wagon logo are registered trademarks of Escapees, Inc., a Texas corporation. Commercial or noncommercial use requires an annual permit. Escapees Corporate Office 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351-9300 888-757-2582 • 936-327-8873 Fax: 936-327-4388 • www.escapees.com Escapees Mail Service Office 101 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77399-9330 888-757-2582 • 936-327-8873 Fax: 936-327-4388 www.escapees.com/mailservice

Engine tuner unit

84

E x e r c i s e Y o u r M i n d Find me in this issue.

Field of dreams

On the Cover : This issue’s cover photo features the exquisite beauty of a sunset, taken by Christie Scott #123872 at the Xscapers convergence in Quartz- site, Arizona. Christie says, “The desert sunset was absolutely breathtaking. Camping there with other RVers was such an incredible experience!” You can follow Brian and Christie Scott online at www.spotthescotts.com .

Jan/Feb. icon was on page 45.

www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 5

Staff

“ ESCAPEES magazine will show you how to make your 2016 travels fun, effortless and full of adventure and freedom.”

The Editor’s Desk By Tammy Johnson #39557, Editor, Escapees Magazine

Happy birthday, Xscapers! This issue celebrates the one-year anniversa- ry of the Xscapers group and, with the help of our Escapees-featured bloggers, we have compiled an issue filled with knowledge and support for today’s RVer. I nspired by the legacy of the free-spirited RVers of decades past, the Xscapers have broken free from the shackles of conventional stick-house living and the nine-to- ¿ ve workday. These RVers have left their cubicles, embraced technology, and have taken their business to the road. Along with their work, they are taking

country’s national treasures and get paid for it. Now, how awesome is that? If you have headed out on RV horizon with your chil- dren in tow, Kimberly Travaglino of Fulltime Families provides her expertise on the pros and cons of roadschool- ing, on page 19. Similar to homeschooling, your students not only have the advantage of a one-on-one learning style, but they also bene ¿ t from a hands-on approach that would be impossible in a conventional classroom setting. If you have a smartphone, did you know that small hand-held gadget can enhance your RV travels? In “App-y Travels,” on page 79, Evanne Schmarder lists 11 of her fa- vorite apps that can make your road trips more rewarding. With the current changes in health care, if you are traveling without insurance or ¿ nd that your policy does not cover you from state to state, check out Rene Agreda- no’s article, “Telemedicine,” on page 34. Rene shares her experience with a telemedicine service that can be used remotely as you travel without leaving the comfort of your RV. Best of all, it is provided through an Escapees-en- dorsed company, RVer Insurance Exchange. The technical feature article this issue is “Engine Tun- ers,” by Emily Fagan. Find out how you can enhance your engine’s performance without voiding the warranty. We also have the fourth-in-series article from Paul Unmack on “Your RV refrigerator.” This article covers the elements of controllers and recalls. For this special 96-page issue, you will ¿ nd many more topics to suit your RVing needs. So, sit back in your easy chair, prop up your feet and let the reading begin. Escapees magazine will show you how to make your 2016 travels fun, effortless and full of adventure. And, if you are able to join the next Xscapers conver- gence, wish them happy birthday, join in the fun and let the good times roll.

their family, downsizing their belongings and setting out on a life of freedom and adven- ture. Sound fun and exciting? You bet it is! On the pages ahead, ¿ nd out how these folks are making it happen. Internet connection

can be a stumbling block for RV travelers. On page 12, learn how you can

stay connected and communicate on the easiest and most reliable networks. Chris Dunphy and Cheri Ve Ard of Tech- nomadia share the secrets of overcoming the challenges of Internet connection while living a mobile lifestyle. If you have considered working as you travel but you ar- en’t sure how to get started, on page 24, Brittany Highland shares her advice as a full-time RVer. She offers ¿ nancial tips and includes valuable resources to help you get started. If you ¿ nd working from the road is for you, Becky Schade’s article on page 28 offers up the intell on work-camping at national parks. Enjoy the beauty of this

6 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com

Now View Your Mail Online!

Simple. Escapees Mail Service now offers a scanning option, allowing members to easily access their first-class mail online. Quick. Secure.

Escapees Mail Service has been the leading mail-service provider for RVers for more than three decades, and it just keeps getting better. We offer physical addresses for full-time RVers in Tex- as, Florida and South Dakota and the most flexible mail-forwarding schedule in the country!

ESCAPEES Mail Service www.escapees.com/ mailservice | 888-757-2582

www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 7

Staff

Like us on Facebook. facebook.com/escapeesrvclub

A Message from the Board By Travis and Melanie Carr #8, and the Escapees Board of Directors

the ¿ rst 100 member families were traveling full-time with their children. Working on the road or raising a family while nomadic is no longer a rarity but a rapidly growing segment of the RV lifestyle. Now more than ever, modern technology has provided new tools to make life on the road easier and making the pursuit of this dream increasingly possible for many aspiring RVers. Xscapers is there to answer the call- ing to provide resources and support for this unique group of RVers who have decided to not wait until retirement to pursue a life of adventure.

Xscapers Brings Escapees Full Circle One year ago, on March 8, 2015, a dream was launched, and the new lifestyle group called Xscapers became a reality. That dream was to truly become “A total support network for all RVers.” Xscapers was inspired by the Escapees RV Club’s original roots because the founders, Joe and Kay Peterson, were only 43 years old and working on the road when they started full-time RVing. When they formed the club in 1978, 40 percent of the members were under age 50 and the majority was still working at least part-time. Nine of

Xscapers at the 2016 Quartzsite Convergence. Photo by Georgianne Austin.

8 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com

Staff

“Being able to follow the path of the club’s original goals, guided by the values set forth by Joe and Kay Peterson, is simply overwhelming.”

Xscapers has taken a unique approach to their conver- gences, and when you attend them, you will ¿ nd a more relaxed atmosphere that enables attendees to balance their work life while enjoying educational and fun activities. This approach is similar to the style of the original Esca- pades, once again bringing us full circle back to the club’s original roots. At the Balloon Fiesta, the group took part in a wide range of activities from volunteering as balloon crews before the dawn, getting involved in the educational seminars and discussions, fun at a makeshift “Tiki-Hut,” potlucks and evening get-togethers. We created history at this Xscapers event, and we couldn’t have asked for a better ¿ rst convergence. The convergence in Quartzsite, Arizona, in January had an amazing turnout, and strong bonds were created through community-driven activities. During the event, there were a variety of discussions and social opportuni- ties at the nightly camp ¿ res. The community really shined through when several members chipped in and brought ¿ rewood for a bon ¿ re the second night. Even though the of ¿ cial event was only scheduled for two days, many of the attendees decided to keep the community going for another week. They continued the fun at a different location where they hosted activities such as potlucks, group hikes, games, outdoor movie nights and even a live music concert. To check out future Xscapers events, visit xscapers. com/events/convergences . Thank You To say that the launch and growth of Xscapers was a dream come true is truly an understatement. Being able to follow the path of the club’s original goals, guided by the values set forth by Joe and Kay Peterson, is simply overwhelming. The support that has been received from both new and seasoned members has been the greatest reward of all. Today we are proud to announce that we have over 2,000 members. Escapees RV Club as a whole would not be the family it is today without each and every member, and we can’t express our gratitude enough to you for joining us in this adventure- filled journey.

Support It has been a busy year as Xscapers continues to inspire and create new resources that will not only bene ¿ t the RVing community as a whole, but more speci ¿ cally those who choose to live this nomadic lifestyle while working or raising a family. As an example, here are a few of the new resources that have been added over the last several months: • Job Board: Want to work while you travel? Want to hire RVers looking for work? We can connect you! The Job Board matches job opportunities with traveling contract workers who want full- or part-time work. To learn more about the Job Board, visit xscapers.com/x-job-board • Articles and Blogs: This interactive section is compiled of Escapees magazine articles, featured bloggers and contributors to give you an abundance of information that fits your lifestyle right at your fingertips. Get connected and create your own personal blog to journal your travels or share your experiences with others. To preview this section, visit xscapers.com/xscapers-articles-and-blogs. • Mapping Tool: The new and enhanced mapping tool will be your one-stop shop to find parking and activities along your travels. It will consist of discount parking, commercial mem- bers, boondocking locations, things to do, jobs along your way and much more. The best part of all will be that you can submit and share your own treasured destinations with your fellow members. To learn more, visit xscapers.com/maps. We are proud to say that we are constantly working to bring new resources and services to the community. If you visit the Website at www.Xscapers.com, you will ¿ nd the “Life on the Road” section that features pro ¿ les of inspiring RVers, important information about how to earn income on the road and helpful articles pertaining to mobile working. Community Along with some of the great resources that were added this year, we have also had a chance to see the Xscapers community come together and shine. In October of 2015, Xscapers celebrated its ¿ rst convergence at the Albuquer- que Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Much like the ¿ rst Escapade in 1979, where there were 22 rigs that gathered, the Xscapers convergence kicked off with 20 rigs. While the balloons were a great focal point, the best parts of the event were the friendships and memories that were made to last a lifetime by this awesome blend of travelers with uniquely diverse backgrounds.

Continued ›››

www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 9

Staff

We Hear You Escapees, and by extension Xscapers, have long had an iteration of the slogan, “Total Support Network.” Implicit in that slogan is the statement that we support you, col- lectively and as individuals. We strive, where practical, to offer services that aid you in experiencing the RV lifestyle more ef ¿ ciently so that you can spend more time doing the things you love. One of the best tools we have to better understand your wants and needs is the online survey. An online survey enables us to obtain feedback from a great many of you quickly and anonymously. Please know that we read your responses, and your responses inform the decisions of the Board of Directors. For instance, in a recent survey, we asked questions about what is your favorite membership bene ¿ t and what could we improve upon. Many of you responded that we need to focus on our parks and SKP Co-Ops, education of- ferings and mail-service programs. We heard you and your voices matter. In 2016, we will evaluate those bene ¿ ts, looking for ways to improve and increase them. Improve- ments take time, and change should be done purposefully and as a result of planning. Although you may not see a drastic overhaul of those programs by the next magazine issue, know that we are working on implementing the im- provements you requested. Thank you for taking the time to answer the surveys. Please know that we will send out more surveys when we need your help. And, if you have feedback or suggestions about bene ¿ ts and the online survey is not convenient for you or does not address your topic, you can reach us at 888-757-2582 or clubbusiness@escapees.com. We truly endeavor to be what you want and need us to be—a total support network. Shawn R. Loring #76442 Escapees RV Club Chief Executive Officer

New member sighting!

New members Dean and Annette Wilkinson #126242 were photographed by the Escapees paparazzi (aka Cathie Carr #3), relaxing on the porch of their RV and reading the January/February issue of Escapees magazine. Welcome to the club, Dean and Annette!

As a veteran and a member of Escapees RV Club, you are eligible to receive a five percent discount via our online store. This includes Escapees membership dues, Es- capade registration fees, Escapees Mail Service dues and club products (excluding gift certificates and donations). It doesn’t matter whether you are joining Escapees or have been a member for decades. Once your club membership is designated as “veteran,” your discount will be active immediately! DISCOUNT PROGRAM V E T E R A N S “Please know that we read your responses, and your responses inform the decisions of the Board of Directors.”

5 %

SAVE

When You JOIN!

For more information, visit: WWW.ESCAPEES.COM/VETERAN OR CALL 888-SKP-CLUB

V E T E R A N S

ESCAPEES RV Club © A TOTAL SUPPORT NETWORK FOR RVERS

10 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com

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www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 11 Call Now & Start Saving! 1-800-681-6810 • ww .passport merica.com

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY FEATURE

Stay C onnected on the Go M bile Internet By Chris Dunphy and Cherie Ve Ard #116760

Ways to Get Connected The mobile Internet setup of a retiree who snowbirds to an RV park with known great WiFi will be completely different from the needs of a mobile entrepreneur conducting frequent video conference calls while home- schooling children as the family ex- plores national parks. For many of today’s RVers rely- ing on mobile Internet, an arsenal of solutions will need to be assembled. Here’s a quick comparison of the primary ways of getting online:

For many RVers, Internet access has become almost as essential as finding wa- ter, power and sewer hookups. Some would argue it’s actually more essential. But getting online on the road can be a challenge, and there is not one univer- sal best way that fits the diverse needs and travel styles of every RVer. Many

variables come into play, such as: • How often do you need to be online? • How much data do you need? • How important is speed and latency? • How many devices do you need to keep online? • What is your style of travel? • What plans and equipment do you have now? • How much redundancy do you need? • And what is your budget?

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nationwide coverage. For secondary coverage, either T-Mobile or Sprint are worth considering. T-Mobile is expanding rapidly, and offers awesome features such as “Binge On” unlimited video stream- ing and free high-speed roaming into Canada and Mexico. But they are still a distant third in coverage area. While you can ¿ nd affordable unlimited options on Sprint’s network, their coverage only makes sense if you are sticking to major metro areas. Especially for those dependent on connectivity, it actually makes sense to sign on with plans from two or even three carriers onboard.

use on a smartphone (and not shared), or network management practices that can slow speeds after only 20 to 25GB of usage a month or requiring jumping through hoops to obtain them. The other challenge with cellular data is pulling in a signal. Cellular boosters can provide a substantial improvement in signal quality and speed, especially in more areas. A roof-mounted antenna will have a better line-of-sight towards the nearest cell tower than any other device inside your RV. It is important to keep up with the latest technology as the carriers roll out newer frequencies and bands. You might be missing out on options for access if your cellular device is even one year old. Nationwide Carriers If you were living a stationary life, you could ask your neighbors for recommendations to determine which cellular carriers serve your local area best. All cellular providers have differ- ent plans, pricing, coverage areas and special features. As you travel, you will come to discover that, in different locations, different carriers excel.

Cellular Data

Cellular Internet

Cellular speeds, coverage and con- nection reliability have all improved dramatically over recent years, mak- ing cellular data usually the easiest and most reliable way online in most places across the U.S. Cellular data allows you access to the Internet anywhere your devices can receive a cellular signal from your carrier(s). More than likely, you are already carrying a cellular-equipped mobile Internet device (such as a smartphone, MiFi/Jetpack or tablet) with the capability of sharing its con- nection with your computers and other electronic devices.

Public and Campground WiFi

WiFi Hotspot

“Especially for those dependent on connec- tivity, it actually makes sense to keep plans from two or even three carriers onboard.”

Often the cheapest way to get online is to use public WiFi networks. Many libraries, coffee shops, RV parks, breweries, motels, municipal parks and even fast food restaurants now offer free WiFi. There are also plenty of paid WiFi networks to be found, such as Boingo and X ¿ nity. Though WiFi has the potential to be blazingly fast, a public WiFi hotspot is highly dependent upon its upstream source of Internet (cable, DSL, satel- lite, etc.) and on how many people are sharing that connection. Although you would think a campground that adver- tises “Free WiFi” as prominently as it does 50-A hookups would actually have worthwhile WiFi, this is often not the case. RV park WiFi is usually good enough for checking e-mail and doing

You need to do your homework to pick carriers and plans that are well suited to your needs. In the US, the four nationwide cellular carriers are: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint There are also several smaller brands available but these are regional networks lacking nationwide service or are third-party providers that buy service wholesale from one of the big networks. For most RVers, primary plans on Verizon’s and/or AT&T’s network will provide you with the largest

Most cellular data plans are priced based upon how much data you use so the bills can add up fast if you are not careful. Streaming video and software updates can quickly devour an entire monthly cellular data plan. If you think you’ll regularly need more than around 20GB of data per month, the long-term savings may make it well worth pursuing an unlim- ited cellular data option. There are still options for unlimited data on all of the carriers. However, many of these plans come with “got- chas” such as only being unlimited to

Continued ›››

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“RV satellite Internet has started to get more interesting again, and there are some new mobile satellite plans that are specifically aimed at RVers.”

Initial equipment costs and on- going usage fees are rather steep, so if you are planning to be in cellular range most of the time, satellite does not make much sense. But if you’re planning a good amount of time off the coverage map, it may be an option worth investigating. Other Alternatives With some creativity and compro- mise, you may ¿ nd other ways to stay online. Options include: • Seek out RV parks that cater to seasonal and long-term stays. If they offer cable TV at the sites, then sometimes you can call the cable company and hook up fast-cable Internet in your RV. • Borrow bandwidth from friends as you driveway surf. • Rent a desk in a co-working space and utilize high-speed bandwidth galore! • For noncommercial communication, HAM radio operators can connect via Internet relays. Concluding Thoughts Getting connected on the go may be a challenge, but it does not have to be an insurmountable one. Technology is constantly evolving, and may be out of date even by the time you read this article. That’s why we host RVMobileInternet.com where we keep on top of the latest gadgets, plans and offerings. Come, join us to stay updated on the latest information.

some basic Web sur ¿ ng, but it’s rare to ¿ nd campground WiFi capable of sup- porting video streaming and large ¿ le downloads. One or two people stream- ing movies over many WiFi networks can grind the entire Internet to a halt for everyone. In response, more and more parks are placing restrictions on these high-bandwidth activities, often leaving WiFi with no advantage over cellular. The other major limitation of WiFi is range. Many WiFi hotspots degrade to unusably slow connections within a few hundred feet of the base station or access point. But with a roof-mounted WiFi an- tenna and a repeater system, you can often manage to connect to an access point substantially further away than your unaided laptop could. There are a lot of options for WiFi range-extending equipment with various prices and features. The most effective mount can go on your roof, ladder or a pole outside your RV to get a clear line of site, but there are also inexpensive products that can sit indoors in a window that might suf ¿ - ciently boost your range. There are also mobile routers that support both WiFi and cellular inputs, allowing you to manage all your Internet connections from one place. This lets you share whatever upstream connection you choose with all your gadgets at once. Tip: Before investing in WiFi range- extending gear, take your device closer to the access point and do some surfing and speed tests. If the experience improves, then in that particular location an extender might help bring that speed to your RV. But if the Internet is still slow, no amount of boosting gear will be able to improve it.

Satellite Internet

Satellite Internet

Before cellular Internet and prevalent WiFi hotspots became the norm, sat- ellite Internet was the ultimate option for getting online. More affordable and increasingly widespread cellular 4G has eaten into the advantages of satellite, and fewer customers are willing to put up with the costs and headaches. The satellite Internet industry evolved to offer service plans that require ¿ xed residential installation, without support for mobility. RV satellite Internet has started to get more interesting again, and there are some new mobile satellite plans that are speci ¿ cally aimed at RVers.

Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy of Technomadia.com have been living and working full-time on the road since 2006, and Internet connectivity has been essential to them every step of the way. To help other RVers with the challenges of staying connected, they co-authored The Mobile Internet Handbook , and in 2014 they launched RVMobileInternet.com to provide unbiased information, reviews, resources and tutorials to help us all stay better connected on the road.

Join Mobile Internet Aficionados and SAVE! MIA is the premium membership component of RVMobileInternet.com , and goes even further. Escapees and Xscapers can save $10 by using discount code XSPSAVE10.

14 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com

KEEP THE ADVENTURE ROLLING FULL-TIME.

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* Estimated APR (Annual Percentage Rate). Subject to consumer loan program requirements and credit approval. Certain fees, closing costs, and restrictions may apply. APR applied to the loan is the APR in effect on the date the application is received and is valid until 30 days after the loan is approved. APRs may vary with loan term. For a purchase, RV must be 200 8 model year or newer. For a refinance, RV must be 200 6 model year or newer. Maximum loan-to-value is determined by the following: credit score and model year, with collateral value being established per NADA Used Wholesale Base Trade-In Value. Maximum loan term based on model year, loan amount, loan type, and lender guidelines. Other rates with different loan terms are available. Example of a Full-Timer RV loan: A 7 -year fixed-rate $55,000 loan. Based on an APR of 3.99%, this loan has 84 monthly payments of $751.53 each.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

© 2016 Bank of the West. NMLS ID# 19116

Take the high road, or venture off the beaten path. Join fel low Escapees for HOP events: theme-related venues or activities at unique and scenic locations. H ead O UT P rogram

Western Caribbean Cruise HOP Photo courtsey of RCI.

Lisa and Jim Koca at the Kentucky Derby paddock. Photo by Jim Koca.

New York City and the Hudson River Valley HOP Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum.

Granite Quarry, Cider and Ice Cream HOP Photo courtsey of Rock of Ages Corporation.

You can À nd a list of current HOP events with more details online at WWW.ESCAPEES.COM/HOPS To register, call 888-757-2582 or e-mail HOPinfo@escapees.com . Cruise Information and Reservations: Kim Wakefield, Escapees Travel Agency, 855-757-8881 or eta@escapees.com

E S C A P E ES R V C lub

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JOIN THE FUN!

Granite Quarry, Cider and Ice Cream HOP Post Escapade, July 30, 2016 Essex Junction, Vermont Price: $89 per person • Guided tour, Rock of Ages Granite Quarry • Sandblast your own stone souvenir • Tour Hope Cemetery • Lunch is included in Montpelier • Cold Hollow Cider Mill Country Store • Tour of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory

Western Caribbean Cruise HOP Feb 28–March 6, 2016 Galveston, Texas Price range: $675.08 pp – $1045.08 pp • Roatan, Honduras • Cozumel, Mexico • Belize City, Belize • Galveston, Texas

Kentucky Derby HOP May 5–8, 2016

Louisville, Kentucky Price range: $1,460–$2,735 (Wait list only) • 2 fun-filled action-packed days at the Derby • 3 nights RV camping full hookups • Tickets to running of the Oaks, includes lunch • VIP tour of the paddock • Tickets to the Kentucky Derby, include lunch

Alaska Cruise HOP Highlighting Glacier Bay Featuring The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet Excursions August 27–September 3, 2016 $1,218 – $2,218 per person

• Seattle, Washington • Fun at Sea • Juneau, Alaska • Skagway, Alaska • Glacier Bay Nat’l Park (Scenic Cruising) • Ketchikan, Alaska • Victoria, BC • Seattle, Washington

• Access to an in-track hospitality venue • Meet-and-greet with a celebrity jockey • Best Derby hat contest

New York City and the Hudson River Valley HOP

Jekyll Island, Georgia, HOP September 25–30, 2016

July 10–14, 2016 New York City, New York Price range: $725–$1,210 (Wait list only) • Empire State Building • Broadway play • The Statue of Liberty • Wall Street • Tour 9/11 Museum • Tour of FDR Home and Museum • Tour of Vanderbilt Mansion • Legendary Thayer Hotel • West Point Military Academy

Jekyll Island, Georgia Price range: $549–$829 • Four fun-filled days; full hookups • Private docent-led trolley tour of Island

• Brunswick historic sightseeing/dolphin tour • Private low-country boil on a shrimping boat • Inshore bottom fishing/professional guides • Docent-led tour, Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Balloon Fiesta HOP September 30–October 9, 2016

Maple Syrup, Basin Harbor and Lake Champlain HOP Post Escapade, July 29, 2016 Essex Junction, Vermont Price: $89 per person (Wait list only) • Dakin Farm • Hors d’oeuvres stop • Taste the famous Vermont maple syrup • Basin Harbor—beautiful views! • Lunch is included at Basin Harbor Club. • Cruise on Lake Champlain • Lake Champlain Maritime Museum • Stop—I scream for ice cream!

Albuquerque, New Mexico Price range: $699–$1,150* • RV parking

• Morning and evening Balloon Fiesta tickets • Private tent in case of inclement weather • Access to the flying competitions • Catered dinners

Jekyll Island, Georgia, HOP Photo courtesy of Stacy Mahlon #82757.

NOW AVAILABLE! Pay ½ down and ½ later for your HOP event. This option is available at registration.

*Event prices are approximate and based on one to two RV occupants only. Call 888-757-2582 for specific pricing information.

HOP Cancellation Policy: A 10 percent cancellation fee of the full registration amount will be deducted from any refunds 61 days or more prior to the event, unless stated otherwise. There are no refunds 60 days or less prior to the event. For events booked through a travel agent, for rental of equipment or for events not booked through Escapees RV Club, the cancellation policy of that entity supersedes the HOP cancellation policy.

www.escapees.com | March/April 2016 | ESCAPEES . 17 www.escapees. om | September/October 5 6

Camping Kids

Email, Melanie Carr, at melaniecarr@escapees.com

with your tips for organization, storage, safety, socialization or other aspects of traveling with children. Your submissions may appear in a future “Camping Kids” column.

Camping Kids | Jr. Ranger Badges By Mail By Melanie Carr #8

C ol lecting Jr. Ranger badges from the national parks is always popular for RVers who travel with children.

I came across this article from Jess Curren’s blog, Currently Wandering about how you can mail in your booklets to receive your badges, and I thought it would be helpful information to share. Mail In Jr. Ranger Booklets to Get Your Badge We have earned quite a few Jr. Ranger badges in our travels, but sometimes they weren’t easy to turn in. Luckily, the National Park Service plans for this and provides the option to mail in your booklets, so when we showed up at the Hoh Visitor Center in Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Washington, to ¿ nd it closed, we decided to test out that theory. Surprisingly, mailing in our booklets was quick, easy and quite fun. First, I called the main visitor centers in both Olympic National Park and Mt. Rainier National Park to get an address from one of the rangers. I had to leave a message at one of the parks, but they were quick to call me back. Next, we took the booklets to the nearest post of ¿ ce.We used my husband, Sam’s, parents’ address in Petaluma, California, as a return mailing address (indicated on a post-it note inside the envelope) since we knew we’d be there for Thanksgiving, and it would give the NPS a few weeks to send us the patches. And send them they did! About a week-and-a-half later, we got a call from Sam’s mom to say we had two envelopes from the National Park Service. The rangers wrote super awesome notes for the kids and included the patches, as well as sending back our booklets to keep. Easy enough, right? It was almost easier than taking the books in to be inspected by the rangers. So, if you don’t have enough time to return to the visitor center, there is de ¿ nitely another option to get your badges. Jess Curren #123750 www.currentlywandering.com

Andrew, Cara and Rachel Curren wearing their collection of badges. Bottom right: Letter and Jr. Ranger patches received by mail. Photos by Jess Curren.

18 . ESCAPEES | March/April 2016 | www.escapees.com