California RV Show

We had the chance to attend our first-ever California RV Show this last weekend in Pomona, CA.  Quite a change from the RV shows we attend in Portland, Oregon and Salem, Oregon!  We were swarmed with multiple aisles and quadrants loaded with every possible gyration of a "life on wheels".  Barkers were yelling from every product booth and salesmen were parked behind almost every slide we traversed.  For those of you that have never attended one of the GIGANTIC shows...it is an awesome time to be able to see all of the new products and floorplans that are out for the coming year.  Being lovers of the pusher, we spent most of our time exploring the new offerings from Monaco/Holiday Rambler/Winnebago/Tiffin.  We were bummed that neither Newmar or Entegra were at the show as we were really hoping to check out their new models.

Entrance to the show

The show is going on through the 21st, so it is not too late to check it out if you happen to be in down South.  I was saddened by the fact that no used rigs were on site.  The one thing I love about the Oregon shows is the chance to check out all of the used pushers and explore all of the creative changes and updates that people have made, and to drool of course at a few and play the "what could we get that for" game.  I know the point is to show off new rigs and move them off of dealer lots, but we found ourselves just saying....well, in 2 years this may be something that we would look at.  We were especially impressed by the new floorplan on the Tour/Ellipse...the 42G.  I suspect other manufacturers will take the lead with this new floorplan with a HUGE wall-mounted TV.

Hopeful 2012 and 2013 Sales

It was certainly excited to check this off our bucket list.  I think the Hershey show may be on the list sometime down the road.

Our advice if you are going:  eat beforehand (everything is ridiculously expensive), bring some water, work quadrant by quadrant through the show and plan on 3 hours minimum.

The Weekend RV'er and Weight Gain

RV Trip....THAT deserves some special treats!

We have found ourselves using that phrase each weekend as we head out to explore new worlds and seek out new adventures.  Armed with a panty full of goodies and a fridge that could feed a small city, we head out for a 3 day trip.  But "we're on vacation"....of course we deserve a treat.  Problem is one year later and 10 pounds heavier we have come to the realization that we may have to change our ways.  I have named my newly acquired fat roll "Ernie".  Ernie really enjoys our weekend trips and has regular suggestions...typically involving ice-cream, chocolate, pretzels, and any other items where sweet/salty/fatty can all be combined into one scrumptious delight.  He loves to make suggestions that involve eating out, trying new places, and living it up.  He reminds us that life is short and this may be our only opportunity to shove another culinary delight down our gullets.

Unfortunately. we have come to the realization that viewing every weekend as a "vacation" may not be the best choice when it comes to food intake.  Certainly we have the carrying capacity (CCC) to continue this for another few years, but that hardly seems reassuring.  Ernie has to be put under control and may just have to start packing veggies instead of peanut butter filled pretzels from Trader Joes on his weekly outings.  Stuck at work for the next couple of weeks without any weekend getaways on the horizon allows for contemplation....namely the type that involves changing our ways our buying new pants.  Ernie has suggested elastic pants as the solution to this problem....we have decided that packing the RV with healthier food and treating the weekend as the "escape" rather than "vacation eating" time is a much wiser life choice. 

First Campground Video Posted - 7 Feathers

Be gentle...our first campground review video is now posted on our video review page.  Clearly this is a learning process as I did not realize that I needed to hold our Ipad horizontally to get a full screen video that properly loads.  Good news is that we will be filming our next video here at Pacific Shores in Newport, Oregon and I will make sure we do it properly.  I would love to have your feedback on what other things interest you in a video review, what should be excluded, etc.  Be harsh...I can take it AND want to improve....

7 Feathers RV Resort Video Review

First Campground Review - 7 Feathers RV Resort

Our first campground review is up and activated for the 7 Feathers RV Resort.  I hope you find it helpful and hope that the reviews and pictures help.  We have a video of the resort that I will be uploading sometime this weekend so stay tuned....we did an actual drive-through of the park with narration so you can get a better sense of the layout.  The next weekend is almost upon us.....this weekend we will be heading over to Pacific Shores RV Resort in Newport, Oregon.  I hope everyone has some RV plans in this gorgeous weather!!

RV Campground Reviews - Our grading scale

Everyone has things that are important to them when it comes to an RV campground.  I think it is important to disclose those biases up front so when you read our campground reviews you understand what we focus on most closely.

For us, the following amenities are important:
 - SETTING: Is the campground in a nice setting? Are the grounds well cared for? If there are long term renters, do they maintain their sites? Is the campground quiet and relaxing or noisy and obnoxious? Is the road/train/other noise at a minimum or is sleep difficult?
- AMENITIES: Are all hookups present? Are they conveniently located? Are the WIFI strong? Are the cable channels complete? Is there a workout room or pool? Is garbage/recycling conveniently located? Are there bathrooms and laundry facilities?
- ACCESSIBILITY: Is the campground easy to find?  Are the roads leading to the campground in good shape?  Is the campground manueverable? Are sites easily accessed? Are the toad unhooking options reasonable?
- FRIENDLINESS:  Are the campground hosts/office staff warm and inviting? Are people in the campground friendly and approachable? Do people make a point of saying hi?

We will rate these items on a 1-5 scale and give an Overall score which MAY not be the average of the subscores.  If something is hideous enough at a park to detract from other areas we will certainly point that out.  Again, biases are important.  We like quiet, friendly parks in nice settings with good amenities....that pretty much sums it up!  We hope you enjoy the reviews......

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend is here.  This weekend it means a trip to one of our favorite RV resorts in Oregon, Seven Feathers RV Resort in Canyonville, Oregon.  Looking forward to some 80+ degree weather, some pool time, the Friday night seafood special at the truck stop, doing some hiking, watching the daily parade of RV's and just relaxing.  We happened upon this Friday night seafood special a few trips back on our way down to the desert....who would guess that you could find fresh line-caught salmon at the truck stop for $10.99 including a baked potato, vegetables, and a dinner salad.  Luckily if you are reading this you are one of only 3 people that read this blog, so don't worry about the secret getting out.  Seriously, a tremendous find if you ever get the chance.

Entering the RV blog-a-sphere

Everyone has something unique to contribute to this world....a special gift...a hidden talent that is many times obscured by the doldrums of work, life, relationships, and family.  The worst thing one can do is waste that talent and not share it with the world.  Well, this blog has absolutely nothing to do with a special gift, hidden talent, or even a mediocre talent.  As Jack Handy once said "If you think your greatest weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell you, but that is just another weakness".

This blog is about a couple of guys and their cat that like to RV and explore new adventures.  I have been combing blogs for sometime and have noticed a few things related to our RV adventures

• There are VERY few campground reviews that really show you what a place is like and give you the REAL rundown.
• There are rarely 'sights to see' and 'food not to be missed' tied with RV campground review
• There are pretty limited numbers of male couples traveling around in RV's
• There are even less that travel with a cat on the dash...always ready for her next adventure

So here it goes....in an effort to have more of the above out there I (Brett) have started this blog.  It may be of no interest whatsoever to anyone, or, and I hope this is the case, it will catch on and others will join in and share their experiences as well along the way.  I look forward to sharing highly biased reviews with everyone and hope you will do the same!