Life on wheels has been quite a ride
‘We’re getting settled into our new home in Hayden,” says longtime RVer Gaylord Maxwell and founder of the RV Life on Wheels Conferences.
Maxwell and his wife, Margie, recently arrived back in the Inland Northwest after spending the winter in their park trailer in Yuma, Ariz.
On their trip home in their late-model 40-foot Coachman motor home, the Maxwells, along with their Maltese-mix dog, Suzie, took a wide swing east through Bowling Green, Ky., for the second of four RV Life on Wheels events set for 2007. The first was in Tucson, Ariz., in mid-March.
The next one, only a month away, is in Moscow, Idaho. The six-day event begins July 8 on the University of Idaho campus.
Back in 1994, Maxwell, a well-known travel writer and former school teacher, hit on the idea of an educational gathering where RVers could learn about their rigs and the RVing lifestyle from other RVers.
He began Life on Wheels and asked a few of his RVing friends to lead information workshops that don’t try to sell anything except knowledge.
Today, there are more than 100 different classes on the “how to,” “what to,” and “where to” of life on the road.
Instructors include authors of books and travel publications, including Joe and Vicki Kieva, Dave and Sandy Baleria, Bob and Lynn Difley, and Mike and Terri Church.
Technical experts like Al Cohoe, Eric Davis and George “Mac” McCoy are drawn from the RV industry, tech editors and retirees with special skills.
“People attending the first two conferences were really interested in safety issues and how to stretch their budgets,” says Maxwell.
Because the high cost of fuel is digging deeper into a retiree’s pocket, one popular class is “The Frugal RVer” lead by Nick Russell, publisher of the Gypsy Journal RV Travel Newspaper.
Russell and his wife, Terry, have been full-time RVers for eight years and keep “very careful records.”
His seminar talks about ways to save on camping costs, vehicle maintenance, travel expenses and entertainment.
Two other classes receiving a high degree of interest are “Fire Safety” and “RV Weight Safety.”
“Mac” McCoy, a former firefighter and retired fire training coordinator for the state of Oregon, teaches an information-packed seminar on RV fire safety.
The Weight Safety class is lead by full-time RVers Larry and Betty Lister of the RV Safety Education Foundation. They have been RVing more than 30 years and presently live in a 43-foot diesel pusher.
‘Just for Newbies’
A couple of years ago, Maxwell added a two-day pre-conference “Just for Newbies.”
“Folks who make the enormous investment of buying an RV need information on how to use these fun machines,” says Maxwell.
There are still spaces available for this special training geared to the needs of new RV owners who are confused or uncomfortable with the operation of their rigs.
Instruction consists of both classroom and individual lessons, according to conference coordinator Peggy Waterman.
“Each participant receives individual instruction in his/her own RV about the operating systems,” she says.
The ‘Newbies’ training takes place July 5 to 7 in Clarkston, at Granite Lake RV Park. Pre-registration is required.
“Cost: $139 per RV with one person, $169 per RVing couple; includes pizza and two continental breakfasts.
RV Life on Wheels info
The following six-day conference runs $249 per person which covers all the courses you can attend, an Idaho Repertory Theatre ticket and evening entertainment. A $130 RV fee includes 30-amp electrical hookups and water services. People who wish to dry camp (no power or water) on campus pay a $25 parking fee. Attendees without RVs stay at nearby motels.
“To register for “Newbies” pre-conference and the July 8 to 13 conference, or to find out answers to your questions, call toll-free (866) LOW-GOGO (866-569-4646); or write to RV Life on Wheels, UI Conference Services, P.O. Box 441205, Moscow, ID 83844-1205.
“For detailed information about courses and a full list of instructors, check www.rvlifeonwheels.com. I’ll be there collecting RV stories – stop by and tell me about your favorite campground or tall tale.
Wheel Life moving
Beginning June 24, this column will be moving back to the Sunday Travel section where it all started four years ago. Look for it in its new location in just two weeks.