Here are Some Gas-Saving Tips from the Pros

(ARA) - The recent spike in gasoline prices is causing a shift in car-buying habits and increased interest in alternate fuels. But there are plenty of every-day, basic strategies consumers can employ to ease the burden of higher gasoline prices. The following advice is from the pros at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), who note that these conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle and its components.

* Monitor your tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder, wasting about 3 percent of your fuel economy. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

* Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon. As a rule of thumb, mileage begins to decline sharply above 60 mph or so. Fuel savings can range from five percent to 33 percent.

* Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. (You'll help your brakes and suspension system last longer, too.)

* Use cruise control and the overdrive gear.

* Remove excess weight. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. How much? One to two percent per hundred pounds of excess weight. After family vacations, make sure you remove all unnecessary items including that rooftop cargo carrier, which may not weigh a great deal empty but increases air drag.

* Use the recommended grade of engine oil to save another percent or two. Consult your owner's manual or speak with your automotive technician.

* A clogged air filter can cause your vehicle to use up to 10 percent more gasoline.

* Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it's wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.

* Keep your engine operating at its peak efficiency. A faulty oxygen sensor can decrease your mpg by up to 40 percent. Less serious problems may cost you four percent. The lesson is clear: a well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model.

* Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family.

* Consolidate your daily trips and errands.

Routine maintenance and less aggressive driving will go a long way to reducing the pain you feel at the pump.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. Visit www.ase.com for more information.

Courtesy of ARA Content 

(ARA) - If you’re an avid boater, the time of year you dread is just around the corner. It’ll soon be time to pull your boat out of the water and stow it for the winter. But before you throw the cover on, there are several things you need to take care of to make sure you won’t miss a beat when the next boating season begins.

1) Check the boat, motor, trailer and wheel bearings for signs of wear and tear. If any repairs are necessary, arrange to have them made before you put the boat in storage so it’ll be ready to go in the spring.

2) Fill the boat’s fuel tank all the way to the top to minimize condensation of humid moist air and oxidation. To prevent subsequent fuel spoilage, add 1 ounce of Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer for every 2.5 gallons in the tank. Once the stabilizer has been added, start the motor on the flusher, run it up to warm (about 10-15 minutes) to ensure that the treated fuel gets in to the whole system. If you have a sailboat, follow the same procedure for your generator.

STA-BIL is available in automotive and hardware stores nationwide. Log on to www.goldeagle.com to find a list of authorized retailers.

3) Inboards: Drain the engine block and manifolds and fill the engine with anti-freeze, install engine plugs

4) Change or remove the spark plugs. For outboards tilt up the engine and spray more storage fogging oil in the cylinders directly, turn the engine by hand to distribute it on the cylinder walls. While you have the engine cover off, it's a good time to clean all of the housings and coat electrical connections with anti-corrosion spray.

5) Inspect all the cables. Remove the steering cable from the motor. Run an oily rag down the tube to remove all the build-up from the bore. Clean all the gunk off the cable and let it hang down for a while to get any water out. Next, spray the cable and the tube with the anti-corrosion spray. Then re-grease the tube and cable and re-install it or leave it off and extended, hang it up under the well where it won't get in the weather. For hydraulic steering, remove the extenders that hold the cylinder and remove the rod through the tube, clean as above.

6) Battery storage. Disconnect the battery/batteries and remove it/them from the boat. Store battery/batteries inside on a board and keep a trickle charger on it/them a couple days a month. Clean the terminals with baking soda and spray with the anti-corrosion treatment.

7) Spray the area around the base of the engine powerhead and the trim (if equipped) with anti-corrosion spray.

8) Check out the trailer & wheel bearings & bearing "buddies.” Jack it up and pull the wheels and hubs. Repack the bearings, if you have buddy bearings, make sure they are full. Consider putting the trailer on blocks and storing the tires in the garage. Spray an anti-corrosive on any unprotected metal

9) Check out the trailer lights and stop lamps be sure that they all work.

10) Winterize drain and flush fresh water system

Courtesy of ARA Content

 

When parking an RV for an extended period, make sure its is as level as possible to prevent overloading one or more tires due to weight transfer. If your RV or trailer does not have built-in leveling devices, use blocks for leveling.

Place something substantial such as a wooden plank under each tire so it is not in direct contact with bare ground. Make sure the tires are fully supported when using blocks. The load on the tire must be evenly distributed on the block and, in the case of duals, evenly distributed on blocks for both tires (see drawing). This will prevent premature sidewall fatigue and ultimate tire failure. Better yet place blocks or jack stands under the axles so that tires carry no load while in storage.

On many RVs and trailers, tires do not wear out. They deteriorate because of the ravages of the environment while sitting motionless for months exposed to the elements. For instance, the biggest causes of deterioration are natural aging as well as ultraviolet and ozone damage. You might ask why this is not a problem with a vehicle you drive daily. For cars and trucks driven frequently, oils in the tires come to the surface during flexing and protect the rubber from ultraviolet light and hardening. Also when left idle, natural aging may cause the rubber to crack prematurely, especially in the sidewall area. Both UV and ozone damage can be greatly slowed down by storing tires inside, or under, an opaque, waterproof covering so they are shielded from direct sunlight.

If you remove the wheels and tires, store them in an area that is clean, cool, dry, dark and well ventilated with circulating air. Tires should not be stacked so the tires at the bottom of a stack lose their shape.

Before that first trip next spring, carefully inspect tires check both inside and outside sidewalls and tread area as well as the condition of valve stems, valve caps and wheels. The tread should be checked for any unusual wear, cracking, penetrations or cuts. An uneven wear pattern can indicate misalignment or worn suspension parts requiring correction. If tires show cracking in the sidewall or tread surfaces that are more than 2/32nds deep, they should be replaced.

Any tire that is over five years old should be especially carefully inspected for cracking and replaced, even if it has acceptable thread left. To determine the age of a tire, look at the DOT number on the sidewall, which identifies the manufacturer, plant where the tire was built, the type of construction, and the date of manufacture. For example, the number 245 (i.e. DOT8ST46245) indicates the tire was manufactured in the 24th week of 1985 or 1995. A triangle symbol denotes the decade, that is the 80s or 90s. More recently produced tires use a four number code, for instance, .3401 or the 34th week of 2001. Also check the age when buying new tire. It is possible that a tire has sat in a dealer's inventory for many years, especially if it is an uncommon size.

Finally, always check air pressure before and after storage using an accurate truck tire gauge. A multiple-angle airhead is needed on dual wheels. Pressure should be checked on cold tires - meaning the RV should not have been driven for more than about a mile at the time of testing. Do not reduce pressure when a tire is hot or exceed the maximum cold pressure. Note that there is often different recommended single and dual wheel inflation pressures.

The load a tire can carry depends on the air pressure. This information is molded into the sidewall of truck tires. On other tires, it is part of the tire designation on the tire, but you will have to use a load index chart to translate this into a pounds rating (see chart). The proper air pressure depends on the weight carried by each wheel. While you think you are operating under maximum capacity, you may be overloading one or more tires while the others are carrying less of the load. You should determine the weight carried by each tire by using a scale to weigh each axle, or better yet each wheel, separately.

 

Unless you throw an old tarpaulin over your rig, not recommended, the least expensive protection comes with a RV cover. While there are different cover designs and materials available, the most important consideration is ease of use. Therefore, it is important to find one that is easy to handle and store. After all, a cover does no good if it is seldom used because it too hard to put on and take off. Unless you are covering a small conversion van or travel trailer, count on installing a cover being a two-person job. The better designs allows for installation without a step ladder, however.

Custom it covers made for a particular RV provide better protection than universal or ready fit covers because they follow the exact contours of the vehicle. For instance, custom-fit covers will not move around in the wind as much as an ill-fitting, universal-type cover. When ordering custom-fit cover make sure you include provisions for such things as roof-mounted air conditioners, mirrors, spare tires and other appendages. Covers will also usually have, either as standard or optional equipment, openings for doors so you can access the vehicle without removing the cover. Openings either use zippers or Velcro fasteners, with the latter having the advantage that they do not scratch or chip paint. They will also better work in winter when moisture freezes. While metal zippers are more durable than nylon ones, they are more likely to scratch finishes.

In reality, it is probably a toss-up as to which fabric is best with probably the biggest differences being the weight-per-foot of material, the length of the warranty that can range from two to five years, and of course, the cost. Virtually all covers are "breathable" to allow moisture to escape. If cover does not breathe well, corrosion-causing moisture can get trapped against the vehicle' finish and promote rust. Breathable covers help reduce the formation of mold and mildew, and in winter, ice. Breathable covers also allow heat to escape to keep interiors cooler. A good cover will also be water resistant and will provide protection against UV radiation.

Speaking of UV damage, it is important that tires are protected. Indeed, rather than wearing out, tire's biggest enemy is natural aging as well as ultraviolet or ozone damage. For vehicles used frequently, oils in the tires come to the surface during flexing and protect the rubber from ultraviolet light. Also when left idle, natural aging may cause the rubber to crack prematurely - especially in the sidewall area. Both UV and ozone damage can be greatly slowed when protected under an opaque waterproof covering so they are shielded from direct sunlight.

Most important is how the material is made into a cover. Good covers will feature seams that are overlapped, with double needle stitching for extra strength. Also there will be non-scratch, reinforced grommets located on each side of the cover for use with the tie-down rope. If available, soft interior liner will better protect RV surfaces, but can result in a heavier cover.

Next up in cost and convenience are portable garages, of which there are many styles available on the market. Typically, these use a steel or aluminum frame covered with a fabric material much like that used for RV covers. If you are considering a portable garage, first check to make sure that they are allowed by your local building codes and neighborhood covenants about "temporary" structures.

Big advantages of portable garages are that you can drive in and work in and around an RV with ease that is if you buy one that is big enough. It is important to check the construction of the frame and how the fabric is attached to this framework. The fabric used on portable garages, like covers, must provide protection against sunlight damage and keep the RV moisture free. Portable garages used in northern climates must be able to handle snow loads and in windy area have to be securely anchored and constructed so they do not take off like a kite. Again, when ordering make sure to account for appendages like air conditioners, antennas and so forth.

 

A) Place the Cover at the rear of the R.V., next to the ladder. Find the front of the cover on the ground.

B) Lower all antennas. PAD ANY AND ALL SHARP EDGES and sharp corners. Pad anything that could snag or tear a hole in the cover. Remove the antenna if possible.

C) Pull the front of the cover up with you as you climb up the ladder.. Once on top of the R.V., pull as much as you can towards the top, creating a pile of cover next to your feet. Once the pile gets big enough, stretch it towards the front of the RV.

D) Once a strip of cover is created, start at the front by pacing the cover over the corners, working your way towards the back, allowing the cover to drape over the sides of the R.V.

E) Once you are at the rear of the R.V., place the cover over the corner (opposite of the ladder). Climb down the ladder pulling the cover down with you. Put ladder cap (if needed) in pace prior to covering the rear bumper.

F) Once you are on the ground, start adjusting the cover all they way around the R.V., by first securing the rear corners under the R.V. and making your way around to the front to do the same with the front corners.

G) Finally secure cover into place by throwing the long straps underneath the R.V. and connecting them with the short strap parallel to it. ADCO covers are equipped with grommets on reinforced tabs to take up as much extra material as possible. We suggest you use rope or string and DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN! Do Not use Bungee cords a they can pull grommets out of the cover. Throw long straps under coach and buckle. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN! OVER TIGHTENED STRAPS PULL THE COVER TOO TIGHT AND THE SEAMS CAN CAUSE FRICTION DAMAGE TO RUBBER ROOFS!

Source:  ADCO Products

The Best Ever RV Recipes: Good Sam’s Favorite Recipes is not an ordinary cookbook. It is sprinkled with quotes to cause a nod or a smile. It is packed with ideas to make cooking easier, more interesting, more nutritious, more fun and much less trouble! It is filled with shared recipes and experiences from the RVing community.

Imagine talking to the Good Sam Club, North America’s largest Membership of recreational vehicle owners, and gathering their all time favorite recipes. Trailer Life Books has done just that—cooking up a collection of recipes created, enjoyed and road-tested by Good Sam Club members.

These “good-food, good-fun” loving RVers have shared recipes for every occasion: Brunches, lunches, picnics, barbecues, romantic suppers for two and crowd-pleasing potlucks. Some plain, some fancy, but all delicious and created with the special needs of RVers in mind.
 

Three Basic Dog Name Guidelines

1. Pick a name your dog can easily recognize. Dogs usually respond better to one or two syllable names. If you do want to go for a dramatic and unusual long name, consider whether you can easily shorten it to something a bit simpler for your dog to understand.

2. Avoid dog names that sound like the standard commands of No, Stay, Sit, Come, Down or Fetch. For example “Joe” is probably too close to “No”. It can be difficult for dogs to tell the difference between similar sounding words.

3. Choose a name that’s both easy to call out and one that you are happy calling out. Remember, you will be calling your dog’s name out in public places at times and shouting out “Parsnip” in the local park, may leave you feeling a little embarrassed! You also want a name that will work well when you are straining your voice to call your pet as he disappears into the sunset chasing after a rabbit!

Looking For Dog Name Inspiration

Start with the obvious. Take a long hard look at your new little friend he may be telling you his name without you knowing. Look at his appearance, behavior, personality, and disposition. Names like Spot or Red may come to mind. How about Bandit for a dog who steals things or Rebel for a stubborn dog?

Then look elsewhere for inspiration. You can name your dog after another famous dog, for example Pluto, Pongo, Lassie or Digby. What about your favourite sports, movie, music or comic strip star?

How about choosing a dog name after a member of your family or friend of a figure from history like Napoleon, Alexander the Great or Rasputin? Take a look at your environment or think about your favourite place they will give you more ideas.

Remember, the dog name you choose for your puppy says as much about you as it does about your pet. It shows how you view your dog and your relationship with him. But other people may judge your dog’s character by reference to its name and might therefore react negatively or fearfully to a `dominating’ name when meeting it. It is a good idea to use a dog name that conveys the image you want your pet to have.

Also, pick a name that will grow with the pet. For example “Tiny” may be less appropriate for a full-grown dog.

Whichever method you choose, have a good time doing it and choose a name that you will want to keep.

Teaching Your Puppy Its Name

Pick a dog name that pleases you and stick to it. It can be confusing for your puppy if you keep changing your mind. Your dog will learn his or her new name quickly if you use it often. When you call your pet, use his name. Do not say “here puppy”. Calling your pet by his name will help him to become familiar with it and with your voice as well.

If choosing a long name keep in mind the shortened version. A long name will inevitably be shortened, but it may ruin the effect that you were originally looking for.

Above all have fun and choose a name you really like. Your puppy will undoubtedly become your best friend and only you can find just the right name.
bio = Richard Cussons is a dog lover with a passion for helping people with their dogs. Discover more about dog names, puppy care and traning at www.all-about-puppies.com/dog_names.html.

 

If your dog has been away from home for one or two days he will be excited and happy to be back again. Staying in the veterinarian clinic was most likely a frightening experience for your sick dog because of the strange people, smells and noises.

As excited as he may be, your dog instinctively knows that he needs rest. Try to provide a comfortable place where he can sleep. He needs to be undisturbed by people coming and going. If you have children, make sure they understand that the dog needs to rest and cannot play like he used to - at least until he fully recovers, anyway.

Give your sick dog a comfortable bed to sleep on. He should be warm and the bedding should be easily washable. A soft cushion covered with a sheet makes a good convalescent bed.

Your vet probably gave you instructions on how to care for your dog. You may have to give him medicine or change his bandages. Your dog may not understand where his source of discomfort is coming from and may try to bite you when you try to touch his wounds. You have to constantly reassure him with gentle movements and soft words that you are not going to hurt him.

Your dog needs plenty of fluid during his recovery period. If he gets dehydrated it can affect his kidneys. Make sure he has a bowl of fresh water at all times, and if he is not drinking by himself you will have to give him water from a bottle or turkey baster. You may have to raise his muzzle slightly so that the he can swallow. If you cannot get your sick dog to drink, call the vet. Your dog may have to get fluids intravenously.

Your dog has different nutritional requirements while he recovers from his sickness or injury. Food should be given in small amounts and can be slightly warmed to make it more palatable to your dog. You can supplement his food with vitamins and minerals - see what your veterinarian recommends.

You’ll probably have to give your sick dog medicine, and this can be one of the hardest things in the world. Liquid medication can be squirted down his throat, but pills are more problematical. Hide them in his food and he is likely to spit them out. Pills have to be placed on the back of the tongue and doing this without losing a finger or two is a real art. If you keep his upper lip between your fingers and his teeth he will not bite down, and this allows you to put the pill on his tongue.

Some dogs are just plain stubborn and no amount of coaxing or fighting will make that medicine go down their throats. If your dog is one of these, you may need to take him to the vet. A bit annoying - but better than not getting the medication your dog needs to recover.

bio = Copyright 2005

Jane K is a lifelong dog enthusiast with a family of four beloved dogs of her own which provide the inspiration for this site. To learn more about how to care for your own beloved dog - visit her at www.simply-dog-care-and-more.com

 

You might be a bit overwhelmed when you first browse through a selection of dog lover gifts - there’s so many available! - but there’s a way to narrow down your selection. You can choose a gift by dog breed or, if you already have an item in mind, you can look for that gift in a dog lover theme.

Just about everything you can think of is available in a dog motif. Kitchen tools, cups and dishes, picture frames, and figurines can be found to suit the dog lover. You can also find fabrics and ready-made jackets, pillow cases, scarves, comforters and handbags designed for the dog lover.

If you are looking for a gift with a particular dog breed in mind, it’s easy to find something appropriate. It doesn’t matter if your friend owns a Dalmatian, an Airedale, a Maltese or an English bulldog - you can find lots of gifts that match the type of dog.

Dog owners love their pets, so a good dog lover gift is a picture frame that they can put a nice photo of Rover in. Check out the huge selection of dog-related picture frames that are available - you can find something to suit both owner and dog!

Speaking of pictures, your dog owner friend would love a sweat shirt or t-shirt with a picture of their dog on the front. This kind of personalized gift will be appreciated and remembered every time they wear the clothing.

Other popular gifts for the dog owner include personalized jewelry, tote bags, notebooks and stationary, and license plate frames. Any dog owner will be thrilled to receive these special gifts to remind him or her of the precious pooch in their life.

When choosing a dog lover gift for your friend, don’t forget to get something for the dog too. Buy some dog biscuits or a personalized feeding bowl to go along with your “human” gift and you will have a pair of friends for life.

Remember, a dog lover gift is welcome on any occasion. No need to wait for birthdays or Christmas - a special gift for your dog lover friend will be appreciated at any time!

bio = Copyright 2005

Jane K is a lifelong dog enthusiast with a family of four beloved dogs of her own which provide the inspiration for this site. To learn more about how to care for your own beloved dog - visit her at www.simply-dog-care-and-more.com

Where else in the country can you drive less then 3 hours and go from the mountains, to the shore, to the marshlands, to 3 different major metropolitan areas to several major lakes and everywhere in between?
Camping in New Jersey is literally the best of all worlds. There is just about nothing you cannot do while you camp in New Jersey. You have your choice of over 120 campgrounds and State Park facilities to choose from not to mention thousands of acres of public land to explore.

Just about every one of the privates campgrounds in the state have craft activities, pools, fishing ponds, sports activities and so many other amenities I can’t even count. Most of them are clean, modern and well suited to just about any type of camping. They are all within a decent driving distance of dozens of cultural, sports, historical, recreational and children related attractions.
Having said that let me give you the all time Top 10 Reasons to camp in New Jersey:

1. Atlantic City and its world-famous beach and boardwalk, luxurious casino, non-stop gaming action, the hottest entertainers, the best in dining, and quality sporting events.

2. Revel in bay heritage along a scenic waterfront in Somers Point or visit the landmark mansion of original harbormaster Richard Somers, the oldest home in all of Atlantic County, it remains a museum today. Marvel at the world’s only 63-foot pachyderm with a visit to Lucy the Margate Elephant. Or have your children experience their favorite nursery rhythm characters in life size at Storybook Land.

3. There’s the 760,000-gallon open-ocean tank at the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences At Adventure Aquarium in Camden, just one of the fascinating exhibits depicting sea life from around the state. Or Trenton, the nations second-largest state capital in continuous use and the site of one of George Washington’s greatest Revolutionary victories. Today, you can visit the spot where he crossed the Delaware and tour the Old Barracks, used by soldiers in the French and Indian War. Or, stroll through the New Jersey State Museum and its impressive art galleries.

4. The Delaware Region is home to most of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, a million acres of preserved forests and waterways. It is, in fact, the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi.

5. Visit Thomas A. Edison’s home and laboratories, where you will see some of his greatest inventions. Stop by a museum solely dedicated to the history of flight. Known as one of the cultural capitals of the United States, the Gateway Region is the home of people from all over the world, whose cultures mingle to produce a rich fabric of life. Here, you’ll find theater, dance and the best in classical music. Included is New Jersey’s state theater, the Paper Mill Playhouse.

6. Diversity characterizes the many playtime activities you’ll find in the Gateway Region, plus being just minutes away from New York City. It houses the Meadowland Complex with its colorful tapestry of sports and entertainment. Restaurants of all types for all tastes, extensive shopping centers with the best of everything, and activities for children of all ages round out a vivid, exciting region. This is truly a gateway to many vacation alternatives. That’s why when people experience all the Gateway has to offer they keep coming back again and again.

7. Mention the Shore Region, and certain images immediately pop into your head: over 60 miles of pristine beaches from Sandy Hook to Holgate; surf fishing off Seaside Park; perhaps some bodysurfing off Bay Head; or maybe a moonlit walk in Surf City.

8. On the northern fringe of the Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook stands the nation’s oldest operating beacon, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Several miles to the south are the Twin Lights of Navesink, the site of Marconi’s first ship-to-shore broadcast. Further south is Barnegat Light; affectionately know locally as “Old Barney,” built by Civil War hero George Gordon Meade in 1857. And now the newly reconstructed Tuckers Island Lighthouse in the Tuckerton Seaport.

9. Gentle mountains, Skiing, Rock climbing, and Horseback riding. Can you really do all this stuff in New Jersey? Yes you can - and more can be found less than an hour’s drive from New York City. The opportunities of the Skylands Region have always been one of New Jersey Camping’s best-kept secrets.

10. If its amusement park that make you happy, check out Mountain Creek in Vernon. Somewhat more genteel diversions can be found during the region’s numerous winery festivals or at the Sussex Farm and Horse Show in August.

11. Walk along 30 miles of wide sandy beaches, experience the warmth of a Victorian inn, take a stroll through history and enjoy the fresh bounty of the sea at a gourmet restaurant.

12. All along the ocean, the beachfront towns of the Southern Shore Region offer great fishing, boating, beaches and whale-watching cruises, plus fine restaurants and accommodations - not to mention the wonderful campgrounds in the area, to pitch your tent or set up your RV. Cape May County boasts itself as one of the premium camping areas of the country. It all adds up to marvelous fun.

Okay, so I lied.

I couldn’t stop at 10 things, I had to give you 12!

In this article I just barely scratched the surface of what New Jersey has to offer and it can all be done from the back of your RV or the middle of your tent!

Eric Stephenson is an avid camper and publisher of www.NJCampingInfo.com. Get all the information you will ever need about camping in New Jersey as well as information about camping and the latest technologies and products related to camping.

Many of us dream of being able to travel in our RV and camp at will in America’s most beautiful locations, but it never happens. For most, it remains just a dream. There is a small army of people who have brought their dream to reality by combining their love of travel with the ability to work and pay their way through life.

There are literally thousands of jobs that are suited to the traveling lifestyle. RV Parks across the United States hire people in office positions, maintenance, recreation, and other positions. You aren’t expected to be a long-term employee. A commitment of a few weeks or months is all that is required. Most don’t expect you to have extensive campground experience, and if you do a decent job, they will be happy to have you work for them again next season.

RV Parks aren’t the only employer of workampers. There are paying jobs in seasonal sales, property caretaking, tour guides, construction, and many other occupations. If you already have some retirement income and want to save on the costs of campground fees, there are thousands of camp host opportunities available where you exchange a few hours each week for a free RV site. These opportunities will be in state parks, city and county parks, and federal campgrounds.

It is possible that your employer has multiple locations across the United States making it easy for you to simply request relocation. If, for example, you work at Wal-Mart, you can request a transfer to any of their store locations. There are very few places in America that aren’t close to a Wal-Mart, so you can continue to be a full-time employee and experience living virtually anywhere in the United States. There are many other companies that have nationwide locations. Just give it a little thought.

If you don’t want to wait until your dream is just a good idea that never happened, consider the Workamper lifestyle. You aren’t getting any younger, and the sooner you start, the more you will be able to experience. When you get tired of where you’re living, simply hook up and move on to your next adventure.

bio = William Smith has lived and traveled full-time in an RV for over twelve years. For more
information about RV Camping and the Workamper Lifestyle visit HappyVagabonds.com

Whether it's grabbing a burger and fries or relishing a savory
bit of filet mignon, the dining options at the lake are
limitless and can accommodate any appetite.

Atmosphere is essential to any successful restaurant and for
such establishments as the Riva Grill, Llewellyn's, and the
Fresh Ketch Restaurant, mesmerizing lakeviews and exceptional
cuisine complement each other like the perfect wine selection at
dinner.

Known for a classic, Tahoe style ambiance, The Riva Grill
located at the Ski Run Marina, has a generous redwood deck that
allows its guests to soak in the smell of the tall pine trees
and of course the hypnotic view. Entrée selections can range
from coconut prawn appetizers and chicken sandwiches for lunch,
to herb crusted halibut or a generous steak for dinner. What
attracts patrons even more is the “Wet Woody” a frozen
concoction of seven different kinds of rum, named after the
classic wooden Chris Craft boats that once dotted the lake's
shore. Sipping on one of these tropical sensations while gazing
out at the snow-capped mountains and pale blue water indeed
provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day of leisure.

The paradise feel can be captured once again, in a sleek and
sophisticated bar known as the Coco Havana Club. Located at the
top of Harvey's Resort and Casino Hotel, the Coco Havana Club is
akin to a 1940s nightclub. Situated inside of the resort's
culinary high point, Llewellyn's, this smart bar complements the
innovative continental cuisine patrons have come to expect from
this elegant restaurant. Boasting spectacular views, both the
Coco Havana Club and Llewellyn's provide an intimate and
relaxing ambiance with the idea of luxury in mind.

For a more casual dining experience, the Fresh Ketch Restaurant
at the Tahoe Keys Marina, offers the perfect blend of nautical
décor with sunny decks and succulent seafood. From fish and
chips to fish tacos, the lunch menu is informal. Weather
permitting customers can enjoy a cool glass of iced tea on the
sunny deck, while watching the peaceful lull of sailboats
sitting peacefully in their slips. For that yacht club feel
dinner is hosted in a formal dining area.

With so many restaurants and so little time, it is impossible to
list every establishment that puts the “taste” in Tahoe, but if
sushi is a favorite, then the Naked Fish, is one of the most
popular sushi bars in the area. For those looking for the
perfect ravioli, Passaretti's Italian Restaurant has authentic
dishes and leaves its patrons feeling full and satisfied.

Just as skiing through untracked powder or jet skiing on the
lake are the perfect activities for making a memorable Lake
Tahoe vacation, so does ending the day with a great meal while
watching the sun set on another perfect day at Lake Tahoe. Be
sure to visit: www.LakeTahoeLodging.com to find out more
about these fine places and to view an enhanced web enabled
copy of this article.

About the author: Travel writer, Ronda Moll has experience as a business editor, staff reporter and licensed Realtor in the Lake Tahoe Area. If you're planning your next vacation or want to learn more about things to do and places to go in Lake Tahoe, please visit http://www.LakeTahoeLodging.com to get vacation planning and vacation rental information and tips. Email: tahoe@clientbydesign.com

As a rule, you shouldn’t slice up your hunk of cheese before you are
ready to use it. Unpasteurized cheese will begin to loose subtlety and
aroma once it is sliced and more area is exposed to the oxygen in the
air. So keep them in hunks as long as you can.

Find out from your cheese vendor, or from searching the Internet, what
conditions were used to mature your new found cheese. Storing your
cheese in the same conditions is often the best way to keep it
flavorful. For hard, semi-hard and semi-soft cheeses the normal storing
temperature is about 8-13 C (about 46 degrees Fahrenheit) for example.
Cheese stored in the refrigerator should be removed about an hour and a
half before serving, letting the cheese warm up allows the flavor and
aroma to develop.

Keeping your cheese wrapped in waxed paper is much better than a plastic
wrap or plastic container. Waxed paper, inside a loose-fitting storing
bag will not lose humidity and will maintain air circulation. Plastic
will often condense air and trap moisture. One exception to this would
be blue cheese. Mould spores from blue cheese spread quickly and easily.
If they stayed on the cheese that would be fine, but they don’t, and
quickly spread to anything close to them. Cheeses contain living
organisms that must not be cut off from air, yet it is important not to
let a cheese dry out.

Most cheese are like sponges for other strong smelling odors, so you
don’t want to store cheese next to the garlic dip, or anything that
might damage the cheese’s flavors.

So what cheese should we be looking for? Really it depends a great deal
on what we might be serving with the cheese. If wine is on the list,
then that may make it a bit easier to narrow down a good new cheese to
bring home.

The rule of thumb for finding cheese to serve with wine is: the whiter
and fresher the cheese the crisper and fruitier the wine. White wines
normally go better with more cheeses than reds wines do, but a dry fresh
red wine goes very well with soft cheeses, especially goat milk types.
Light fruity red wines are often the best matches for other cheeses, but
the heavier reds are a hard match with cheese. Sweet wines a great with
the cheeses that have a high acidity, the contrast in tastes is often
very enjoyable. Dry champagnes a great choice with bloomy white rinds.

The matching of cheese and wine is such an old culinary tradition that
when you are first starting out on the matching exploration of these
two, try combinations which include cheese and wine from the same
geographical regions. There are probably good reasons they make the
cheese and wine they do.

Personal enjoyment is the last and final line of judgment. So enjoy
yourself and have a great time exploring new tastes.

bio = Jerry Powell is the Owner of a Popular site Know as
Gourmet911.com. As you can see from our name,
we are here in the business to help you learn more
about different kinds of Gourmet Food and Wines,
from all around the world. www.gourmet911.com

We are going to focus on the flame, and the types of flame sources for our barbecue. There are basically three main sources in use today: Wood, Charcoal, and Natural gas or propane.

Natural gas and propane

Gas grills are easy to light. The heat is easy to control (via knob-controlled gas valves on the burners), so the outcome is very predictable. They result in a very consistent and tasty result, although some charcoal purists argue it lacks the flavors available only from cooking with charcoal. Advocates of gas grills claim that gas cooking lets you “taste the meat, not the heat” because it is claimed that charcoal grills may deposit traces of coal tar on the food. Many grills are equipped with thermometers, further simplifying the barbecuing experience. However propane and natural gas produce a “wet” heat that can change the texture of foods cooked over such fuels.

Gas grills are significantly more expensive due to their added complexity, and higher heat. They are also considered much cleaner as they do not result in ashes (which must be disposed of) and also in terms of air pollution. Proper maintenance may further help reduce pollution.

Charcoal

This generally begins with purchasing a bag of processed charcoal briquettes. A charcoal chimney starter is a traditional (but generally underused) method for getting a consistent heat from your coals. Alternatively, they can be lit in a pyramid directly inside the charcoal grill after presoaking with lighter fluid.

After all coals are ashed-over (generally 15-25 minutes), they are spread around the perimeter of the grill, and the meat is placed in the center for indirect cooking. For additional flavor and attractive appearance, thicker cuts of meat may optionally be seared over direct heat (outer perimeter of grill) prior to indirect cooking in the center. Water-soaked wood chips (such as mesquite, hickory, or fruit trees) are often added atop the coals for an extra smoky flavor. The temperature of the grill is controlled by the amount and distribution of coal within the grill and through careful venting.

An alternative to charcoal briquettes is lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is wood that has been turned into charcoal but unlike briquettes it has not been ground and shaped. Lump charcoal is a pure form of charcoal and is preferred by many purists who fear that artificial binders may be used to hold briquettes in their shape.

Wood

The choice and combination of woods burned result in different flavors imparted to the meat. Different types of wood burn at different temperatures. The heat also varies by the amount of wood and controlling the rate of burn through careful venting.

The type of wood chosen is really what sets this method apart from the others. This is where the gourmet can really experiment. Let’s go through some of the woods available to get a feel for the differences we can expect.

Golden Birch is very delicate & slightly sweet, typically used with fish, pork, lamb, goat, poultry, and light-meat game birds. As a smoke source Golden birch would be used to smoke Salmon.

Wild Apple is slightly sweet with a fruity smoke flavor. Used mainly for beef, poultry, game birds, and pork (particularly hams).

Sugar Maple has a mild smoky, sweet flavor. Good with lamb, goat, pork, poultry, cheese, vegetables and small game birds.

White Cedar has a fine light smoke, and doesn’t add much in the way of other flavors. Ideal for cooking fish, beef, and pork.

Wild Black Cherry, is hard to get a hold of but offers a distinctively sweet and fruity smoke. Great with beef, poultry & game birds.

bio = Jerry Powell is the Owner of a Popular site Know as
Gourmet911.com. As you can see from our name,
we are here in the business to help you learn more
about different kinds of Gourmet Food and Wines,
from all around the world. www.gourmet911.com

If you're like most people, common everyday items look inert
to you. But what you may not know is that many of them have
a gender. For example...

Ziploc Bags -- Male, because they hold everything in but you
can see right through them.

Copier -- Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to
warm up. It's an effective reproductive device if the right
buttons are pushed, but can wreak havoc if the wrong buttons
are pushed.

Tire -- Male, because it goes bald and often it's over inflated.

Hot Air Balloon -- Male, because to get it to go anywhere you
have to light a fire under it. . . and, of course, there's the
hot air part.

Sponges -- Female, because they're soft and squeezable and retain
water.

Web Page -- Female, because it's always getting hit on.

Subway -- Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people
up.

Hourglass -- Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the
bottom.

Hammer -- Male, because it hasn't evolved much over the last 5,000
years, but it's handy to have around.

Remote Control -- Female . . . Ha! You thought it'd be male. But
consider -- it gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and
while he doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps
trying.

May 30th: Just moved to Phoenix. Now this is a city that knows
how to live!! Beautiful sunny days and warm balmy evenings.
What a place! Watched the sunset from a park lying on a blanket.
(Uhhhh yeahhhh cuz I couldn't stand up) It was beautiful. I've
finally found my home. I love it here.

June 14th: Really heating up. Got to 100 today. Not a problem.
Live in an air-conditioned home, drive an air-conditioned car.
What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I'm turning
into a sun worshipper.

June 30th: Had the backyard landscaped with western plants
today. Lots of cactus and rocks. What a breeze to maintain. No
more mowing for me. Another scorcher today, but I love it here.
(Keep Commin' Back - dummy)

July 4th: We drove up on South Mountain to take in the view
overlooking the city to the north and the surrounding farmlands
on the Indian reservation to the south. I counted no less than 18
of those mini-tornados of the desert called dust-devils. This must
be the southwest's version of fire-works.

July 10th: The temperature hasn't been below 100 all week. How
do people get used to this heat? (LOLLLL) But getting used to
the heat is taking longer than I expected. At least it's kind of windy
around sundown everyday. Yesterday all the trees on our street
were knocked down by the wind blast. They tell me that only
occurs once in a while.

July 15th: Fell asleep by the pool. (Got 2nd degree burns over
60% of my body.) Missed 2 days of work, what a dumb thing
to do. I learned my lesson though. Got to respect the ol' sun
in a climate like this.

July 20th: I missed Jerry (our cat) sneaking into the car when I
left this morning. By the time I got back to the hot car for lunch,
Jerry had swollen up to the size of a shopping bag and exploded
all over the $2,000 leather upholstery. I told the kids that he ran
away. The car now smells like Kibbles and Kitty poop. No more
pets in this heat.

July 25th: The wind stinks. It feels like a giant freaking blow dryer!!
And it's hot as hell. The home air-conditioner is on the fritz and the
AC repairman charged $200 just to drive by and tell me he needed
to order parts.

July 30th: Been sleeping outside by the pool for 3 nights now.
$1,500 in darn house payments and we can't even go inside. I
didn't know that I was allergic to massive amounts of mosquito
bites. How do they survive the heat? I feel like I am living in a
Pizza oven. Why did I ever come here?

Aug. 4th: It's 113 degrees. Finally got the air- conditioner fixed
today. It cost $500 and is bringing the temperature down a little.
Stupid repairman peed in my pool. I hate this stupid city.

Aug. 8th: If another wise Dude cracks, "...but it's a dry heat", I'm
going to tear his throat out. Darn heat. By the time I get to work
the radiator is boiling over, my clothes are soaking wet, and I smell
like a dead cat!!

Aug. 9th: Tried to run some errands after work. Wore shorts, and
sat on the black leather seats in the ol' car. I thought my butt was on
fire. I lost 2 layers of flesh and all the hair on the back of my legs. I
tried to lift my butt off the seat by grabbing on to the steering wheel
and got third degree burns on my hands!! Now my car smells like
some kind of burnt offering and fried cat guts.

Aug. 10th: The weather report might as well be a darn recording.
Hot and sunny. Hot and sunny. It's been too hot to do crap for 2
darn months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next
week. Doesn't it ever rain in this barren darn desert?? Because
of the water rationing $1700 worth of cactus just might dry up and
blow into the darn pool. Even the cactus can't live in this heat.

Aug. 11th: We saw our first sand storm today. They even showed
it on TV as it blew across the valley. A wall of dust 12,000 feet
high advancing on the metropolis like something out of a Japanese
science fiction movie. They never told us that it is frequently
accompanied with light rain and hail. The car NOW looks like it
was used in some kind of mudhog derby. The light aluminum
awning I put up for shade looks like someone tested a couple of
thousand ball-peen hammers on it. And it only cost $150 to have
the pool filter replaced.

Aug. 12th: I got the water bill today. $536 and that's because I
tried to keep the cactus alive and the pool's automatic filler never
shuts off. We have been trying to keep the area around our house
a little cooler with this new misting system that everybody says
works. All I see when I turn it on is a cloud from the roof line to
about eye level that disappears into steam.

Aug. 13th: Today we got the electric bill. $642 for running the
air conditioner day and night to cool the house down to about
90 degrees.

Aug. 14th: Welcome to HELL!!! Temperature got to 115 today.
Forgot to crack the window and blew the darn windshield out
of the car. The installer came to fix it and said, "...but it's a dry
heat", My husband had to spend the $1500 house payment to
bail me out of jail.'

    August 4-6                  SEAFAIR Hydroplane                 Seattle
                                Races & Air Show

    August 13                   Port Orchard Cruise-In             Port
                                                                   Orchard

    August 18-20                Quicksilver                        Silverdale
                                Hydroplane Races

    August 25                   World of Outlaws Event             Skagit
                                                                   Speedway

    August 26                   LeMay Museum Open House            Tacoma

    August 30                   K. Kahne/T. Stewart Charity        Skagit
                                Sprint Car Race                    Speedway

    September 2-4               Bremerton Blackberry Festival      Bremerton

SOURCE Great Western Sports

    WILLMAR, Minn., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota RV, formerly RV's
Plus, is having its Grand Opening this week. After 20 years at IBM, the new
owner, Mike Gove, decided to follow his passion for RV'ing and purchased
RV's Plus. "It's a bit of a change ... coming from a huge corporation
focused on technology to a small family owned business focused on fun ...
but it is a great change!" Gove said. This Thursday and Friday from 8am -
8pm and Saturday from 8am - 5pm, they will have grand opening specials,
Manufactures Reps on site, some 2007 models that just arrived, closeout
pricing on last years models and they are grilling up brats and burgers for
the Michael Melbie Cancer Fund. They carry RVs from Coachmen, Monaco
Safari, Monaco McKenzie, Fleetwood Folding Trailers and Play-Mor RVs.
Minnesota RV is located just north of the city limits of Willmar on Highway
71 and 23. 5102 Highway 71 NE, Willmar, MN 56201. 877-292-0431 or
http://www.MinnesotaRV.com
    The newest RV dealer in the state is Minnesota RV and it is time for
its Grand Opening. After 20 years at IBM, Mike Gove decided to follow his
passion for RV'ing and purchase RV's Plus. "It's a bit of a change ...
coming from a huge corporation focused on technology to a small family
business focused on fun ... but it is a great change!" Gove said.
"Minnesota RV's focus is its service department, without quality and timely
service; sales, the parts & accessories store, and rentals do not matter."
    Minnesota RV has a full service department for all make and models, the
largest Parts & Accessory Store of any RV dealer in Minnesota, rentals and
of course, new and used RVs. They carry RVs from Coachmen, Monaco Safari,
Monaco McKenzie, Fleetwood Folding Trailers and Play-Mor RVs. Minnesota RV
has an RV for everyone, from diesel pushers, Class As, 5th wheels, travel
trailers, to toy haulers, mini-motorhomes and folding trailers.
    Minnesota RV is a Route 66 authorized dealer which makes them part of
an exclusive team of independent recreational vehicle dealers committed to
providing a better value and a more enjoyable RVing experience. With over
130 locations and 900 service bays nationwide -- the largest in North
America -- you can rest assured that wherever the road takes you in your
RV, you'll never be far from a friendly smile and helpful hand. One of the
commitments the dealers have agreed to as being part of the Route 66
network, is that every effort be made to diagnose an RV problem and place
it in the service schedule within one service business day of your arrival.
    Minnesota RV Grand Opening is this Thursday, Friday and Saturday,
August 17th -- 19th. Thursday and Friday 8am -- 8pm, Saturday 9am -- 5pm.
    Grand Opening activities:
    -- Manufacturers Representatives on hand
    -- Parts & Accessories Specials
    -- Service Specials
    -- Grand Opening Specials on 2005 and 2006 RVs in stock
    -- View some of the new 2007 models they just got in
    -- They will be grilling brats and burgers from 5-7pm on Thursday and
       Friday and 11-1pm on Saturday with all proceeds going to the Michael
       Melbie Cancer Fund.
    Minnesota RV is located just north of the city limits of Willmar on
Highway 71 and 23. 5102 Highway 71 NE, Willmar, MN 56201. 877-292-0431 or
http://www.MinnesotaRV.com.
    From Minneapolis - 1-1/2 hours W of 494 on Highway 12
    From St. Cloud - 1 hour south on Highway 23
    From Hutchinson - 1 hour NW via Highway 7
    From New Ulm - 1-1/2 hours NW via Highway 71
    From Litchfield - 1/2 hour W on Highway 12
    From Annandale - 1 hour W via Highway 55
    From Granite Falls - 45 minutes NE on Highway 23
    From Alexandria - 1 hour S via Highway 71
    From the South Dakota Border - 1-1/4 hours on Highway 12

SOURCE Minnesota RV

SOURCE REGARD Solutions Corporation