Lee Cowan goes looking for RV adventures in Arizona, probably in the Quartzsite area, and finds a group of older women who aren’t afraid to travel alone for their adventures. There are 9 million RVs in America now, which is a million more than in 2005.

Of the many interesting women he meets, Jaime Hall Bruzenak has written books on women RVing solo, and how to earn a living while RVing. You can find her books at Pine Country Publishing. Jaime says that more women than men RV solo, which is interesting to think about why that might be.

Another woman nomad that Lee calls the matron of a women’s RV group is 82-year-old Billie Rusk. She travels in a 22ft Winnebago Aspect and jokingly says that TomTom GPS is the only male she needs on board. She also says when she gets in a predicament, “I just squeegee around ’til I get out of a tight spot”.

These women love to have the freedom to go wherever they want, for as long as they like. They’ll meet up at favorite RV parks each year, sometimes traveling quite a distance to get there.

As far as safety goes, some use tricks like leaving large boots, dog bowls and leashes outside the door. They rely on themselves, each other and the RV community that has support clubs, such as the RV Emergency Roadside Assistance from the Good Sam Club for a flat or engine trouble in the middle of nowhere.

They enjoy the freedom to chase sunsets, without any drama.

Here’s the video, and if any trouble playing on our site, then this is the direct link to copy and paste to your browser: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7397831n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

Click here to view the embedded video.

Close Enough Transcription of Video

The CBS Morning Show did a fabulous video that you should see for yourself. In case the video link ever gets broken, here’s a shot at writing up a transcription.

Older women escape winter winds in RVs video with Lee Cowan reporting

(Notes -

• (Video’s captions are in parenthesis)
• [My observations or notes of visuals are in brackets]
• Lee alternates between mostly narrating the story and interviewing the women)

Lee: This is one of those stories that we didn’t know what we were going to find until we got there, and it turns out that “there” is anywhere of the beaten path.

Far off on the horizon of this otherwise barren Arizona desert lies a temporary city growing by the day. Like boxy tulips, this rag-tag community springs up here every winter. Tens of thousands of nomads navigate their RVs to the middle of the middle of nowhere to escape the winter winds.

[Background music from Fleetwood Mac plays, “Listen to the wind blow…watch the sunrise.”]

It’s a tribe unique both for its look and its language – if you have to ask what “dry camping” or “boondocking” means, then you’re not in the club. And increasingly that club has a decidedly feminine touch.

Jaime Hall Bruzenak [(RV Enthusiast)]: It’s quite interesting, there are more women who do this, that RV by themselves, than men.

Lee: Jamie Hall Bruzenak started RVing 20 years ago with her husband. And after he died, she stayed on the road where she met countless other women, just like her. And, it’s where she met her new husband.

She’s penned two books on the subject of women and their rigs [RV Traveling Tales: Women’s Journeys on the Open Road and The Woman’s Guide to Solo RVing, both by her and co-author Alice Zyetz, are shown in background.], and her audience keeps growing. [Speaking now to Jaime] And why do you think that is?

Jaime: I think it’s because women like adventure, perhaps they’ve not been able to do that in their life. They’ve been working, having families, may not have had the money, and so then when they get the chance, they want to get out and do something.

[Showing old Airstream Trailer commercial video clip, “Building Dreams is Our Business”.
Airstream clip’s narrator: “Every man dreams of high adventure and faraway places.”]

Lee: It’s a long way from the Beaver Cleaver notion of RVing when it was considered largely a man’s past-time. RVs have been in the fast lane recently. Almost 9 million Americans now own one. That’s a million more than in 2005.

And these days, outside RV parks like this one outside Bandera Texas [Skyline Ranch RV Park], women out number the men by design.

[Lee’s talking to a small group of women at a picnic table.]

Lee: Men are not allowed…

One of the women: Men and kids under 18…

Lee: …are not allowed.

One of the women: No men and no kids.

Lee [narrating again]: The Rambling Roses are an exclusive club. Their members are mostly retired, some widowed, some divorced, and aren’t shy about calling themselves pioneers.

Carol Storm: [(RV Enthusiast) and apparent Rambling Rose member] These are women taking on risks that they may have never taken on before in their life. Getting self confidence, you know a sense of value, bucking the odds and the rest of us woman watching these women breaking trail.
Lee: Few some up the group’s independent brand of moxy better than 72 year old Betty Burnett.

Betty: I don’t have to get involved in anybody’s drama. I get to see new places at will. I can stay as long as I want or as little as I want.

Lee: It’s just the freedom…

Betty: It’s just the freedom [nodding in agreement].

Lee: She knows no strangers, as she puts it, home is wherever the brake lights come on.

But the matron of the group is 82-year-old Billie Rusk [who’s cleaning the windshield of her Winnebago Aspect, Class C RV], small in stature perhaps, but a giant among her RVing peers.

Billie: When I go out like this, I consider it running away from home [both laughing].

Lee:She drove some 800 miles, from Arizona to Texas, to be here, all by herself, sort of…

Billie: I have a Tom Tom GPS, and Tom is the only man in my life [both laughing again].

[Now she’s fiddling with the water connection at the service compartment of her RV.]

Billie: Where’s all that water coming from? [as it’s leaking down to the ground].

Lee: Which is why perhaps that I got called into duty to help her disconnect her rig. [Lee’s unhooking the water from the rig, and says] Look at me, I’m RVing [laughter]. This is the water, and not the sewer, that I’m unscrewing, right? [laughter]

Billie: Yes

[Billie is now driving the rig]

Lee: She seems as much at home now behind the wheel of her 22 footer as she does behind a Volkswagen. [Now asking Billie] Do you ever get in a tight spot?

Billie: All the time.

Lee: And it’s okay?

Billie: Well, I just squeegee around ’til I get out of it.

Lee: It’s not without its risks. Women traveling alone on the open road, are for some, a target. But Jamie says everyone has their tricks.

Jamie: And some women go the extent where they’ll put a big dog dish and chain outside their door, or maybe big boots so it looks like they’re traveling with someone.

Lee: The freedom to chase sunsets does come with a price, but seeing the sky painted every shade of lipstick is worth it.

[end of video as sun is setting]

Lee and two of the CBS This Morning show anchors, Erica Hill and Gayle King, discuss the story. They talk about friendships on the road and the importance of friendships that women have that are cultivated over space and time.

Also discussed was the concern for safety of women traveling alone. Lee says that the women feel like they have a lot of support, not only with these friends, but within the RV community as well. He specifically mentioned RV clubs, such as Good Sam Club, for if you get a flat or have engine trouble in the middle of nowhere.

2012 Serenity Exterior

My immediate impression of the 2012 Serenity by Leisure Travel Vans was that it looked similar to a modern “shuttle” type vehicle and would be a great for stealth-mode…if that’s important to you. Mostly I noticed that it had that hard to define high-end look, even from afar. The lines are clean and sleek and right away it’s apparent that a talented design team spent their time to develop the Serenity.

The inside was a surprise of modern touches and attention to detail. There’s an impressive amount of storage space within the attractive curved wood cabinetry. And even the efficient LED lights are thoughtfully dressed up along the ceiling in a series of curvy flowing panels. The flooring is an easy to clean “wood look vinyl” that is gorgeous, and the name does not do it justice.

Leisure Travel Vans calls this a wide-body Class B, or B+, motorhome. There is no cabover area and no slides in the Serenity. The width of the motorhome is 8 feet so this makes it feel more roomy than you might imagine given there is no slide-out. For comparison, this is 6 inches wider than the Winnebago View/Navion.

There’s plenty of natural light inside due to window and skylight placements, but I’m less sure about how optimized the placements are for viewing the outdoors while seated. Best to spend some time siting in this small RV, just like you would during your normal adventures to determine for yourself. While you’re spending time in the front dinette area, check out how the table slides around to serve your needs.

Sprinter RV Chassis

The 2012 Serenity S24CB is built on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500 Cab BlueTEC turbo diesel 188 hp engine with 5 speed automatic transmission. Leisure Travel Vans estimates MPG at 17, which seems reasonable especially if you tend to travel at lower than interstate highway speeds.

2012 Libero Gas Model

The Serenity (diesel) and Libero (gas) share the same floorplan, but are based on different chassis. While the Serenity uses the Sprinter chassis, the Libero is based on the Chevrolet 3500 Express Cutaway 6.0 Liter Vortec gas engine with 6 speed automatic transmission. Other differences due the chassis configuration are presented in the table:

2012 Serenity and Libero Differences

Highlights of the 2012 Serenity Class B Motorhome

Floorplan of the 2012 Serenity

• 2-year Coachnet Warrantee covering towing, flat tire, mobile mechanic, lock-out services, etc.

Exterior Highlights

• All fiberglass construction
• Full Canadian insulation (at least that’s what I think of vehicles made for Canada’s weather) using the highest density Styrofoam SM (Blue) on the market. The flooring is actually 2“ thick with the Styrofoam sandwiched between two 1/2” thick pieces of plywood
• Height is under 10’ thanks to a recessed air conditioner
• Silver full body paint with clear coat and minimal graphics for a “European” style
• Optional side turn cameras on both sides to see blind spots
• Frameless glass

Passenger side:

• Power awning
• Sliding screen on entry door
• 2 storage compartments with aluminum watertight doors that fold down for easy access (I do wonder if doors get in the way, or if doors will be used as a “shelf” and subject to breakage)

Rear:

• Compartment that makes use of a long slender empty space

Driver’s Side Service Compartments:

• Front – electrical storage:
  • shore power is detachable and while some may wonder if they’re vulnerable to thieves and pranksters, they may not be sleeping in the best of areas to have those worries,
  • optional Onan propane or diesel generator,
  • house batteries slide out from their outside compartment
    
    

    Service Compartment (click to enlarge)
• Rear – service:
  • water fill,
  • exterior shower,
  • propane fill,
  • black water flush,
  • propane on-off,
  • satellite connection,
  • gray water tank,
  • optional macerator pump

Interior Highlights

Cab Area

• Ultraleather seats in 3 colors that swivel
• In dash radio,CD/DVD player, GPS, rear (and optional side-turn) camera monitor
• Privacy drapes track around to block windows

Coach Area – Front

• Interior height is 6’3” which may be limiting to many
• Ducted air vents (not just air blowing directly from A/C)
• Interior LED lights
• Solid wood curved cabinetry in either cherry or maple with positive locking upper cabinets
• Front dining area seats 6 and table slides for easy access
• Front ultraleather dinette makes into a double bed, though blocks entry way somewhat
• Large skylight above dining/kitchen area
• Corian countertops include a covered recessed garbage can in kitchen counter
• Sink and stove are recessed and covered when not in use to provide large flat surface area in kitchen
• Spice rack above stove
• Great use of storage with plenty of cabinets, drawers, and pull-out pantry racks and treys, secondary wardrobe by door (AKA “his”)

Coach Area – Rear

• Privacy shade curtain pulls out to block rear bed, bath, and wardrobe area
• Optional ultraleather electric convertible sofa instead of bed creates second sitting area
• 22” TV in rear swivels out for kitchen and dinette viewing
• Large wardrobe closet and drawers (AKA “hers”)
• Bathroom includes china toilet, recessed medicine cabinet, and a separate narrow shower

Serenity’s Market

The high quality craftsmanship is reflected in the base MSRP of $128,245, and from what I can see, these hold their resale value pretty well. The Serenity is ideal for down-sizers of high-end Class A motorhomes who appreciate the all wood construction, ample storage, and the power of diesel, but are ready for the conveniences offered from a smaller RV. The Sprinter chassis is easy to drive and is perfect for adventure.

The floorplan is also suitable for mobile office needs where an occasional meeting within the RV is required. Whether choosing the floorplan with the standard bed, or the optional sofa, the rear bedroom and bath area can be closed off with the privacy curtain.

Spend Time in One

When looking at a Serenity in person, pay attention to the dinette seating to see if this suits your travel style. Do you like the daytime views, and will the TV work for your needs. Is the shower usable and are you able to reach what you need to while the shower door is closed?

Take a look at the excellent video by Leisure Travel Vans to get a closer look for now:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Florida RV SuperShow at Tampa (click to enlarge)

The Tampa RV Show is the best chance in Florida to see all the new RV models from the manufacturers for a side-by-side comparison. The weather is usually mild, which makes viewing the RVs a comfortable process. The crowds can be large, but are spread out over 16 acres so it’s seldom a problem to see whatever your interests. Take advantage of 2-day pass admission price and plan on spending two full days to see all there is to offer.

Mostly Sunny Predictions for Tampa RV Show (click to enlarge)

This year’s theme is, “Take Another Look”. The idea is to reach out to those who would like to vacation closer to home and are looking at RVing as an option. The manufacturers have stepped it up with many changes in RVs in the last few years, and with great offerings for families it’s time to “take another look”.

You’re welcome to bring your well-behaved dog on its leash. Just keep in mind that there will be many distractions, including food vendors, entertainment, and several educational seminars that you might like to attend. The seminar on RV Weight and Tire Safety is something everyone should attend, especially in light of the recent tire blow out on an RV carrying 14 people where two died. Check out the website for a full seminar list.

 2012 Tampa RV Show Information

• When: Wednesday, January 11^th – Sunday, January 15^th
• Hours: Wed-Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 9am-5pm
• Where: Florida State Fairgrounds - 4800 US Highway 301 N., Tampa, FL 33610
• Cost: Adults are $10 for a 2-day pass; Kids (16 and under) are free

See over 1000 RVs at the Hershey RV Show

Once again the RV manufacturers will show off their new RV models at the 2011 Hershey RV Show. Be sure to see the 2012 RV models that many manufacturers will introduce at the show. Some RVer’s are worried about the recent flooding, but the show is open and is not impacted. Here’s a shot of the 7-day weather forecast for Hershey and all looks good to enjoy the show.

7-Day Weather Forecast for 2011 Hershey RV Show (click)

Located in Hershey Pennsylvania, the 43rd annual show is actually two shows in one: starting first, and opening today, is Industry Days, followed by Public Days, which is what we’re most interested in. The RV show opens to the public starting Wednesday and runs through Sunday the 18th. As always, there will be plenty to see, and it’s best seen over a few days in order to take it all in.

Bring a good compact camera to capture manufacturers, models, price tags, accessories that you like, and even don’t like, to use for your notes. This is especially helpful at a large show this Hershey when so many new RV models are being introduced. The Canon PowerShot is a great option that slips in your pocket, but will get wide shots as well as close ups. It even has full HD video, which can be very handy to have.

Highlights:

• Public Days – 5 days, 9/14/11 through 9/18/11
• Hours – Wed-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-5pm
• Admission – $9 adults, $18 for 3-day pass, $1 off coupon
• Seminars – over 40 included with admission
• Vendor Booths – over 150
• Manufacturers – almost 60 covering more than 21 acres, over 1000 RV’s
• Day Parking – Free, opens at 7am
• Pets – not allowed, call 1-800-HERSHEY (437-7439) for $10 kennel arrangement info
• Campgrounds/Hotels – for list of nearby resources
• Overnight Dry Parking – $25/night limited to 100 first come first serve spaces, located near pole 116 in lot – enter lot on Park Blvd and follow signs
• RV Weigh Station – Call 321-453-7673 for appointment

Get out and see the latest the RV manufacturers have to offer as they roll out their new 2012 RV models!

There are three sizes, but I’ve only used the large one for dogs up to 110 lbs. That is plenty for my 65 lb dog who is easy to walk on a leash anyway, but is very frightened with fireworks and has tried to bolt on more than one occasion. The leash worked just fine even when using the brake to keep her from really taking off.

Store a leash in the RV that carries the bags for you

Retractable

Retractable leashes are perfect to allow a well-behaved dog ample freedom to explore on nature walks and at the beach. The Bags on Board leash is corded, except at that the last few feet where the latch is. Some believe that the corded is more dangerous than the belt leashes as they can cut or burn if wrapped around hands, fingers, or legs, and the dog moves suddenly. In these situations however, either type can cause serious injury so don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by believing the belt type is ‘safe’. If you don’t know your dog yet, or you know they are hard to handle on a leash, then a retractable isn’t a good choice and may provide enough room to hang yourself.

The length is 16’, but is easy to lock it down to a shorter length. For campgrounds, and parks, whether city, state, or national, I let the leash out 6’ or less and put the lock on to easily satisfy rules. Often in these situations however, I leave it on retractable because I’ve come to like the leash without slack, so I use the brake if she gets 4-5 feet away. I respect the fact that there are many who do not care for dogs for one reason or another so I’d rather keep her closer than 6’ when around others.

What’s interesting about the brake is that its use has actually trained my dog to slow down or come closer just by pressing the button. There is a slight click, and perhaps a slight tug too, that she’s picked up as a cue that she needs to rein herself in before it’s done for her. I’ve found myself relying on that as a technique to keep her close when we’re in store, like Petco, or at a crowded event. All I have to do is press the button and the click gets her to step closer to me.

Then it Stopped Working

Well wouldn’t you know it, after the 1-year warranty period expired, the leash started to get hung up while retracting. After jiggling with it a bit it would work, but it got worse and worse until it no longer worked and was stuck. So I tried others leashes, but was so spoiled by the Bags on Board leash, that I finally called the company to talk with them.

They were incredibly nice on the phone and offered to send a replacement to me, and asked me to send the broken one back so that they could examine it. I received the new one within days and happily sent the broken one in return. Customer service is easy when all is well, but it becomes outstanding when they rise above and beyond to stand by their product to make their customer happy. Well done.

So, I went out and bought two more Bags on Board retractable dog leashes. Now I have one at home, and one in the car. I keep the third leash permanently in our small RV so I don’t have to worry about packing it, or the bags, for trips. This arrangement has worked perfectly this past year.

Feels Sturdy in the Hand

The handle is smooth and feels well made. It appears large, but it’s easy and comfortable to keep my thumb on the brake even with my small hand. It’s apparent that this dog leash is designed to comfortably accommodate hands of all sizes.

Large Red Retractable Dog Leash

The bags are easy to place in the dispenser simply by unscrewing the end cap and sliding the new roll in. The replacement bags are wrapped around a plastic tube, or spool, similar to a toilet paper roll and the tube from the empty roll needs to be discarded first. At the bottom of the dispenser is a raised point that fits into the roll end as you drop the bag roll in. The cap is cleverly attached to the dispenser in a way that doesn’t interfere with turning the cap, but prevents the cap from getting lost. When the new roll is in, just screw the cap back on and the matching raised point on the inside of the cap fits into the other end of the bag roll. This design allows you to turn the roll to get a new bag out without any moving parts to break.

Open Dispenser to Replace Bag Roll

The bags themselves are ample size to put your hand into it and then pick up the dog poop. There’s room leftover to slide the top of the bag back down and around the waste and still room to tie it off. This is really easier and even cleaner than using a pooper scooper.

Be Safe

The cord is pretty thick and has a nylon belt of around 2 feet attached to the end. This prevents the leash from being fully retracted and also means that if it gets wrapped around your pets neck, it should mostly be the belt and not the cord. The manufacturer explains some good safety tips that you should read and not just take for granted. Like I’ve mentioned, my dog is awesome on a leash so I don’t really think about some things that can happen. Like if your dog bolts and the leash comes off and starts retracting back fast, then hit the brake or even drop it if necessary. Don’t keep it around your face because if it comes snapping back, the latch can hit you hard.

Also, like with any rope or strap, be constantly aware of not letting it wrap loosely around your fingers, hands, arms, legs, or anything that you can’t afford to lose if all of a sudden the rope got pulled taunt. This point is huge and was really driven home for me during a rescue of sorts out on a lake in a boat. I was wrapping the rope around a pole on the boat when all of a sudden the slack went out of the rope. It happened so quickly and with such force that I had no time to react. Even though the rope was not wrapped around my fingers, they were between the rope and it’s other end where the slack was suddenly taken up. My fingers almost were caught up in that rope, and I’m convinced that I could have lost one or two if they had been. I don’t think that the rope was pulled tight suddenly, but still when the slack was taken up, the force where it snaps tight is hard to believe.

A Responsible Dog Owner

One of the reasons to use an RV to travel is the ability to bring the animals along. What fun is a vacation if they’re not with you? It’s easy to do the right thing and pick up after your dog if you’re always prepared with Bags On Board.

Our fury friends can leave a lot of danger behind by way of Roundworms, E. Coli, and Giardia, just to name a few. It’s vital that pet waste be properly disposed so we don’t risk the health of innocent kids, or people walking barefoot on the beach, with potentially devastating diseases.

It goes without saying too, that the more responsible all pets owners are, the more places our pets are welcome. Why not always carry poop bags? Get a Bags On Board retractable dog leash and keep it on board your RV for your convenience.

2011 RV-ONE Floorplans

There are 3 different floorplans, the 14RB, 15RB, and the 16BH, that increase a foot in length with each plan. The 14RB sleeps 2-3 by converting the dinette to a bed and by utilizing the couch along the curbside wall that faces the kitchen. The 15RB adds a rear fold out bed that is like a pop-up out of tent material and this adds 1-2 more sleeping spots. The 16BH ditches the sofa (with storage) to make room for a permanent set of bunks, and adds a pantry – this unit sleeps 3-4.

Comparison of 2011 Starcraft AR-ONE Specifications by Model

Starcraft RV-ONE 15RB

The expandable 15RB sleeps 2-5 people because of the hybrid’s tent bunk-end that adds room for 1-2 more. Before considering this model, decide whether you even want to sleep under canvas. If you’re unsure that you’ll enjoy this feature, then it may not be worth the additional sleeping space. However if this does appeal to you, then it’s a great solution to add more sleeping space without taking up valuable floorspace.

The rear bed folds out the back end with a permanently attached tent and looks almost like a pop-up camper from the rear when it’s out. What’s nice is that if you’re not able to use that for whatever reason, there’s still the option to turn the 54” dinette into a nice size bed – if that’s not already spoken for that is. Once that bed is set up you can leave it set up and use the sofa for sitting during the day. It’s not much of a view from there, but unless the weather is poor you’ll probably be outside.

2011 Starcraft AR-ONE 15RB Floorplan

(Click on images to enlarge)

Notable Features

Pros

• Front window is great for views and adds lots of light
• Dinette table is portable with folding legs and can be used outside
• 18,000-BTU furnace with auto ignition
• Crank up antenna with signal booster for HDTV
• Expandable bunk-end has no poles and has capacity of 1,100 lbs.
• Tent material is Aqua-Shield from Aqualon with a 7-year warranty
• 3 Cu. Ft. 3-way gas/electric refrigerator
• 30-amp power cord
• Bathroom includes tub/shower
• Radio with roof antenna that also connects to iPod
• Retractable entrance step
• Patio awning
• One piece seamless rubber roof
• R-7 fiberglass insulation throughout
• Diamond plate front protector
• Spare tire with carrier

Cons, or Concessions to Keep Weight Down

• Interior height is only about 6’
• Does not include TV and you will need to determine a model that is appropriate to mount
• Bathroom does not have it’s own sink
• A/C unit inside is a little small at 5,000 BTU
• Small tank capacities

Designed to Fit into Your Garage?

I’ve seen claims that the AR-ONE was designed to fit easily into garages, especially due to installing the A/C unit inside rather than on top of the travel trailer. I measured my garage door opening and my clearance is only 6’6” in height, far short of the 8’3” of the trailer’s height. Garage door sizes vary far too greatly to make this statement so be sure to measure your own to see if you can count on storing the trailer in it.

If you can’t store it in your garage, consider a good travel trailer cover to protect your investment. What’s nice about today’s covers is that they are configured to allow access to your trailer without taking the whole cover off.

Green Certification

Starcraft RV was one of the first RV manufacturers to be awarded a Gold (out of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald) label under TRA Certification’s ‘Green RV Program’. This designation as a ‘Certified Green Capable Manufacturer’, indicates that they use materials, practices and products that are compliant with sustainability standards.

As a consumer we have more power than we sometimes give ourselves credit for. By spending our hard earned dollars with manufacturers that take greater care to protect our environment and their customer’s health, we are voting on what matter to us. Starcraft is proud that a third party certifies the fact that they build green, and that all of their products are green. Now that matters.

Overall

This is a solid, yet lightweight camper’s choice, especially if you are stepping up from tents or pop-up camper backgrounds. As always, do your homework on whether this model is appropriate for your vehicle and experience. And spend some time to determine how much you plan to pack into the trailer, including water, to decide if the carrying capacity is enough to fit your needs. Get more than one opinion until you are confident that you understand all of the trailer, hitch, and towing vehicle nuances and their ramifications.

Starcraft RV provides a 12-month warranty, and you can see these for yourself at your local Camping World, RV Show, or other RV dealership. Happy and safe adventures to you.

Are you heading to the Keys and want a spot to rest for the night, but don’t want to camp out? Maybe free overnight parking at the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming Center in Miami will fit with your plans? Like many casinos and Walmarts, the Miccosukee Resort offers free overnight parking for those traveling though in their RVs. Located just 15 minutes west of the Florida Turnpike along the edge of the Florida Everglades; it’s easy to get to, and in the morning you can be in Key Largo in only 1.25 hours.

The property houses a hotel with over 300 rooms and suites that start around $150. There is a convention center with over 46,000 square feet of meeting space. And then various other amenities including a swimming pool, restaurant, live music, dancing, and an 8,500-square-foot children’s center offers supervised children’s activities.

If camping and outdoor family activities are more your speed, take a look at CB Smith Park. That is where we opted to stay and it is only 1.5 hours to Key Largo from there. Had CB Smith Park not been available, I’d certainly feel comfortable overnighting here though.

Get a Parking Pass

When you arrive, go into the building and get a parking pass from Security. Look for the Cashier, or ask one of the many security guards about getting a parking pass. Everyone is very nice and welcoming, so even if a casino isn’t where you normally hang out, there’s no reason to feel out of place here. The parking lot is big so there should be plenty of space, and it is surrounded by vacant land. Security will let you know where to go, and you should ask any questions you might have about generator use or whatever. You may need A/C and should check weather.com to find out temperatures first.

Steak and Lobster

The Cafe Hammock is located in the gaming area and is famous for its Steak and Lobster for only $9.95. While it may not be the same caliber as a high-end establishment, it is a tremendous value. The steak and lobster are medium sized and the quality is descent. One of the challenges of this restaurant, especially for non-smokers, is that it’s in an open space indoor that is surrounded by slot machines with smokers. They may not be smoking right next to you, but it is smelly nonetheless.

Not in the mood for surf and turf? There are actually five total dining options and a martini bar with entertainment. So check out all of your options before deciding.

The Casino

The gaming area is open 24 hours a day and according to Miccosukee’s site, “pays out millions of dollars daily.” For the bingo players among us, there is a 1,200 seat high stakes Bingo Hall in addition to over 1,900 gaming machines. For those who prefer live poker, instead of online poker websites, there is a poker room with 32 poker tables. They host tournaments including 7-card stud, Texas hold ‘em, and Super hold ‘em on a regular basis.

In the center area of the casino games, is a glass enclosure that serves as a non-smoking area. I did not venture in, but it was large and nice to see that they were providing accommodations for non-smokers too.

The Other ‘Florida Attractions’

The Miccosukee Tribe is an independent and self-sufficient group with three reservation areas. In addition to the Hotel Resort and Gaming, they host two nearby attractions.

Visit the Indian Village in the Florida Everglades for Native Indian arts and craft. Enjoy local Indian food such as fry bread. Or explore the Everglades with Native Americans, but with a modern twist – from an airboat.

Golfers can get a round in at the Golf Club, formerly the Miami National Golf Club, that includes 27 holes over 6,700 yards. The Country Club includes a swimming pool and banquet facilities, as well as a full service golf shop.

Contact Information and See it on Video

Miccosukee Resort & Gaming
500 S.W. 177th Avenue, Miami, FL 33194
(877) 242-6464 or (305) 925-2555

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Sprinter RV

It is built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis that is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 turbo engine with BlueTEC diesel technology. This chassis provides fantastic fuel economy from one of the cleanest diesel engines on the market. You’ll also be impressed by its power as you’re driving your fully loaded RV up mountainous roads.

Fleetwood RV introduced the 2011 Jamboree DSL and 2011 Tioga DSL as their premium offering in the Class C diesel market, and the 2011 Jamboree Sport DSL and 2011 Tioga Ranger DSL as a value-priced option.

Exterior of Jamboree DSL Shown in Tungsten

2011 Fleetwood Jamboree DSL

This is a classy looking rig that has taken some cues from the Class A’s:

• pass-through storage
• aluminum luggage doors
• full-body paint
• 3 color schemes: Concord, Sandrift, and Tungsten

The cab-over area lines are smooth, and yet the shape is less of a bubble than many of the other Sprinter RVs. There were no windows in the cab-over of the unit pictured above, but the floorplan shows them on each side. Conversely, the same unit clearly has a large window at above the bed on the curbside, however the floorplan does not show one. Regardless, it seems like there are less windows overall than other Sprinter models and floorplans on the market. Be sure to check it out for yourself.

Interior

The only floorplan is the 24D:

2011 Fleetwood Jamboree DSL 24D Floorplan

Some notables inside include:

• full-time rear corner bed
• ‘ultraleather’ sofa booth dinette
• china bowl toilet
• whole coach water filtration system
• duel pane windows (talk to your dealer about how appropriate these are in your area)
• ceiling halogen lights (may want to determine if switching to LED is reasonable)
• curved shower rod gives more room in shower
• solid surface counter top
• slide-out long enough to include dinette, pantry, and refrigerator to open up isle space

(Click on images to enlarge)

Overall the fit and finish provide a quality feel to this small motorhome. There are three interior decors to choose from: Linen Oasis, Lustrous Gold, and Mystic Midnight. First though, I’d select the wood finish, either Satin Chestnut or Satin Spice, because wood is a predominate feature inside.

Things to Consider

Check out the 2011 Jamboree DSL at your dealer or RV Show and be sure to spend time as much time in it as possible to determine whether this model fits your travel style. Pay particular attention to whether the dinette booth is adequate for both dining and lounging around in the evenings. Look at whether the windows provide the views and openness that you’ll want while camping or exploring. Also remember to discuss the duel pane windows and if they’re a good idea in your area. Florida for example is so humid that many avoid duel panes because moisture historically gets trapped between panes and need to be replaced to fix them.

So how do you choose the best e-reader for you? Here are four popular models and their features to help determine the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

Kindle 3

Kindle 3 eReader

The Amazon Kindle brought the eBook e-Reader into the mainstream world and is very popular with its 3rd generation of readers.

E-Ink and Readibility

It uses the latest E-Ink generation, known as Pearl, so its display really replicates paper and what it looks like to read a book or newspaper. The screen is clear and works well in direct sunlight without glare. E-Ink is easier on the eyes than LCD technology due to technical reasons that you can read more about at Amazon if interested.

Like the other models available, you can easily increase the size of the type to suit your needs – and that may even allow you to skip the reading glasses. Also, don’t forget that since there’s no backlight, you’ll need a separate light to read at night. There are some inexpensive clip-on LED lights, like the Mighty Light, that make reading a breeze and last a long time with the efficient LED bulbs.

Battery Life

Along with less eyestrain, the battery life is vastly increased because the device doesn’t use any power while a page is displayed. If you keep the WiFi off, a single battery charge can last up to one month! Even with WiFi left on, the battery lasts up to three weeks.

Get New Books in Seconds

Wi-Fi is built in and some models include free 3G service as well. The device is simple to use and no software setup is required. Once you open your Kindle package you can literally turned in on, find a book or magazine, and download to your new device within a few minutes. There are over 850,000 books, and 50,000 audio books to choose from and you download sample chapters to review before purchasing.

Books purchased through the Kindle Store are archived online and can be synced to other devices to read. You can read on your Kindle, iphone, Mac, PC, Android or Blackberry and it syncs where you left off across your devices. All three models (Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi + 3G, and DX) have the capacity to carry up to 3,500 books.

UPDATE 4-12-11: Amazon just announced a new pricing option for the Wi-Fi version that lists for $139. They are offering $25 off if you agree to accept ads on your Kindle device:

Receive special offers and sponsored screensavers that display on the Kindle screensaver and on the bottom of the home screen—they don’t interrupt reading.

Sony

Sony has produced e-readers for quite some time and is a popular ebook reader manufacturer. The Sony uses E-Ink technology, like the Kindle does, so it has the same advantages with replicating a real-paper experience as well as a descent battery life of around two weeks.

The Smallest

There are several versions available, the Pocket, Touch, and Daily Editions. The Pocket Edition lives up to its name and with a thin 5” screen can actually slip into your pocket. Don’t let its small size fool though, it can still hold up to 1,200 books. The slightly larger Touch Edition sports a 6” screen, and the Daily Edition has a 7 inch screen; both have the same on board memory for 1,200 but is expandable to hold a mind-boggling 50,000 books.

Open Format

No limit in selection here. The Sony features the ability to use multiple formats including an open format, ePub, which goes beyond the limits of the Kindle Store. Yep, you can use the Sony for other online book stores.

Get Connected

Use a single USB cord to connect to your Mac or PC. From there you can manage your library, load books onto your device, and recharge your battery. Not as convenient as WiFi or 3G so decide whether this works with your travel style.

Prices

MSRP’s – $180 for the Pocket Edition, $230 for the Touch Edition, $300 for the Daily Edition

Nook Color

From Barnes & Noble comes the Nook Color. If you love color, you’ll love the Nook Color.

LCD Screen and Battery Life

Over 2 million books and magazines are available for viewing on the Nook Color’s 7 inch touch screen. If you’re wondering if the LCD screen may cause you trouble, then check it out in person at one of the many Barnes & Noble (B&N) retail locations. The most glaring difference is well the glare that you’ll get if trying to read in direct sunlight. Other wise night time might work better for some who prefer a backlit screen instead of relying on a separate light. This screen takes a toll on the battery life so expect to have to recharge after 8 hours of reading.

Nook Kids

Now your eReader can read bedtime stories to your kids. Hit the Read to Me button, and kid’s books, picture books and bedtime stories are read aloud by professional narrators. When you swipe the screen to turn the page, the narrator starts to read the new page.

Price and Upgrade

Look for an upcoming upgrade to give you applications, games and email. This software upgrade should be free. The Nook Color goes for about $249.

Pandigital Novel

From the makers of digital frames comes another color LCD option to ebook readers. This is packed with features such as color touch screen, Wi Fi, SD memory expansion slot and access to B&N eBook store. This one has a lower price point of around $189, but don’t get too excited by the lower price compared to the Nook. The sacrifice is a much slower processor that has received many complaints. And some don’t like the feel of the device, claiming that it feels plastic. If the features are more important to you than these trade offs, then this might be a viable option for you.

Accessories

Don’t overlook the importance of accessories for improving your experience with your eReader device. Covers, or cases, are highly recommended to protect your investment and to maybe even add a splash of personality. If you have an E-Ink model, don’t forget a light that attaches to the device. If you dry camp at all, these little lights will come in handy at many times and will save house battery usage.

Today

The Today Show had a technology segment with information on these readers and sparked the idea for this article. We’ll add more later, like a chart to provide convenient information about these incredible eBook Readers and how to determine the best eReader for you. In the meantime, all models are available through Amazon, so head there now to learn more.

Exterior Features

Full body paints and exterior graphics are optional and may vary from dealer to dealer on what they order. The exterior storage compartments are reminiscent of a Class A motorhome with the door-like opening and solid mechanisms. These baggage doors are insulated aluminum with a single paddle latch for easy opening. The pictured 24SB also sports a TV on the outside, which is optional and also unusual to find on exterior of the the smaller RVs.

2011 Chateau Citation Sprinter Exterior

Two Floorplans

Both the Chateau Citation and the Four Winds Siesta come in two floorplans, the 24SA and the 24SB. Some highlights of both floorplans include:

• Glass shower door
• China bowl toilet
• Cab-over bed, or optional front entertainment center with 26″ LCD television
• Cinnamon maple cabinets, or optional cherry

Model 24SA

The main feature that the 24SA offers is a queen size bed in the rear curb-side corner. The advantage is that the bed is always ready and no need set it up at night when you may be tired from your daytime activities. The downside is that takes up valuable space, and with it being in the corner it is not as accessible to get in or out or to make the bed. Some people have a strong preference for a walk-around bed after they’ve experienced the lack of accessibility of a corner bed. It comes standard with a booth dinette, or optionally a hide-a-bed sofa or u-shaped dinette instead of the booth.

Model 24SB

The advantage of the 24SB is more open living space. By sacrificing the full-time corner bed, the bathroom relocates to the back wall and includes a larger closet. This frees up the driver’s sidewall to fit the booth dinette and the sofa, side-by-side into one large slide out. Of course a larger slide opens up even more space both visually and physically. On the curb-side of the coach, the kitchen expands down the wall and add a pantry.

One Disappointment

In both models, the kitchen makes up the a major portion of the view while sitting at the sofa and is fairly prevalent in the dinette too. Some won’t be bothered by this because experience tells them that they’re only sitting there when there’s nothing to see outside. However, if you like to hang out inside sometimes, or find yourself boxed in due to weather this might feel a little claustrophobic to you.

Overall

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Overall, this is a solid offering from Thor built on the fuel efficient Sprinter chassis. Head out to your local dealer, or nearby RV show, to spend a little time getting to know this little RV and if it is the right fit for your life.