Ladies Behind The Wheel Of A Motor-Home!

Ladies if you are reading this article, please note it is for the husbands. When it comes to driving a motor-home in at least 85% of couples traveling in a Motor-Home, the husband is the sole driver. I strongly urge you to talk to your husband and ask him about teaching you how to drive the coach now, instead of waiting until you have to drive your RV because of an urgent situation

Does your Spouse do any of the driving while you are on the road with your Recreational Vehicle?  If you answered no, you are doing yourself and your spouse a disservice, by doing all the driving yourself. I am a supporter of men teaching their wives how to drive and park the Recreational Vehicle It does not matter if she drives every day or not. The fact is that your wife needs to know how to handle your motor-home. There are a couple of reasons for this task, and both of you will benefit from this. Sharing the driving will allow you to feel more relaxed when the two of you arrive at your destination. Another reason that your wife should know how to drive your motorhome is in the case of an emergency. 

For example lets say that you live in Alabama, you and your wife are on your way to Yellowstone and then to the Oregon Coast. No real hurry to get there since the two of you is retired. Then about the time you reach Cheyenne Wyoming, you start feeling a lot worse than you did a month ago. When you and your wife were still planning this trip, which at that time you convinced yourself that it was all the excitement of making the trip. So you decide to visit the Emergency room, only to find out five hours later that your condition is serious and that you are going to need surgery and soon. You are also told that you will not be able to travel for three weeks, and you cannot drive for at least six weeks. The travel plans that you made did not include six weeks in Cheyenne, which is about 1450 miles from home, yet almost 1600 miles from your final destination. If you had just taken a few hours and taught your wife how to drive the Motor-home, this situation would not be such a big deal.

Most women are intimidated by the size of these vehicles, and rightfully so they are pretty big. The first part of the challenge is to get them behind the wheel. If you have a motor-home, this can make it a little harder to do. And most of it has to do with the height and the width of the coach. After all, are used to driving their car most of the time, and this is something different and significantly bigger than anything you have ever driven. First you will want your wife to become familiar with the layout of the dashboard. Just as you had to do when you first bought the coach. Once she becomes familiar with the dash and you are confident that she knows where everything is located. Next go through your basic setup procedures to make sure that she is comfortable and able to reach all of the controls with ease. Now she is ready to drive. I suggest that you start off in an empty parking lot somewhere, only because this will feel less threatening. Most large parking lots have a street that goes around the parking lot. This street is usually out of the main flow of traffic. Yet it is still marked off as a street with center line.

The driving forward is only part of being able to handle the recreational vehicle. Being able to backup is just as important as driving; you never know when you might get into a tight spot that you have to back out of. Also to having to park your RV in the campsite. For this part of the procedure, you will need seven markers, flags road cones whatever you can find to mark off an area. Make sure that they are big enough that they can be easily seen by the driver. In this first exercise, we will only use six of the markers. As shown in this diagram. You will want to place two markers on each side of the vehicle. The two cones on the right and left should be set about 20 feet apart, and 3 feet from the edge of the vehicle. Take the last two cones and set them up in the back to resemble a fence or curb. Once you have done this, drive the motor home around and set it up for a right-hand turn to park as if you were parking in a campground.

You want to start with a right-hand turn also known as a blindside turn because they are more difficult. Once she has mastered, this left-hand exercise turn will be easy. Repeat the exercise until she is comfortable. Then move the cones one-foot closer on each side, and try it again. Most motorhomes today are equipped with backup cameras and monitors so you can see objects behind you; these are extremely helpful for all of us.

We have all been there, we pull into the park, stop at the ranger station to register and get our site assignment. When we find our designated site we can see that parked directly across from us is a huge Fifth Wheel. The truck is sitting in the street a little, and of course we cannot leave out the tree. The trucks owner is out on a bike ride with his wife, it's unlikely that they will be back anytime soon. So for this exercise we have created some obstacles she will need to maneuver around.

This last backing exercise is entirely optional; the chances are that you may never use it. However, it is a fun activity. Also to that you can take pride in knowing that you can do it when most people would have a lot of trouble on their hands if they ever had to use it. It goes by a lot of different names, I call it the weave. Set the markers in a straight line at or about 30 feet from each other. Position the coach so that the first marker is on the right, and it is even with the rear wheels. Then start backing up and in between the markers. This is a maneuver that they teach in most truck driving schools. I can tell you from experience it is much easier with a motor-home than with a tractor and trailer.

When you are practicing with markers, there is really no need for a spotter. However, spotters are needed when backing into a campsite, a driveway, or any other place where there are fixed objects that can cause damage. You need to be able to see the spotter at all times. There is one other backing maneuver called the 1,2,3 method this only works in ideal situations where you have plenty of space. This method is probably the easiest. Find the center of the rear wheel, measure eight feet toward the front of the vehicle. Place a small piece of stripe tape on the coach as a marker.

 Pull the coach forward until the stripe tape, is even with your spotter on the left. At that point, turn the wheel all the way to the right until your spotter is even with the rear wheel. Then turn all the way to the left as you are backing in. Not too shocking that most of the body work that is done on motor-homes were caused from backing into an object, trees, buildings or cars. This is why you should have a spotter when ever it is possible.

Now that we have all the backing up and parking out of the way, let's hit the road. Before you begin repeat the basic set up procedures, seat position, mirrors, steering wheel all need to be in a comfortable place  Start out with roads that are less traveled, this will reduce her tension and feel less intimidating. Show her how to make some turns so that she can learn about things like where to start the turn while remaining in the proper lane. Maintaining safe distances from the vehicle in front of you.  If you cannot see the tires of the car in front of you, then you are too close.It is always best to pass freight trucks and buses on the left. When you pass on the right you are at risk of being in the drivers blind spot. if the other driver can not see you, he may attempt a lane change thus causing an accident. When both of you become at ease with the progress that has been made, then you are ready for the highway. Out on the highway it drives like any other vehicle and you would take the same precautions. Remember guys keep calm; be patient, build the driver's confidence by letting her know that she is doing a great job. There is one danger that you have to worry about. After she has learned how to drive your coach and she has become comfortable; she may not want to give it back. Until next time happy travels!

Playing The Game of Pain By Ron Downing

This is a poem about a old relationship I had. I was inspired to write it after listening to an old Garth Brooks song.

In 1982 I was learning to fly through skies of blue.

I met you, in the Golden Arches drive through.

Your brown eyes caused my heart to skip a beat or two.

My throat became parched leaving me speechless before you

.

broken hearts are this lady’s game no two games are ever the same

Boys who laid eyes on her should feel no shame for losing her game.

She sends all her boyfriends down in flames

In 1982 I thought that we were tighter than glue.

After just a few dates. I fell in-love with you.

My love for you, was honest and true.

As summer flew past I knew I had to spend my life with you.

Broken hearts are this lady’s game no two games are ever the same

Boys who laid eyes on her should feel no shame for losing her game.

She sends all her boyfriends down in flames

In 1982 like a fool on bended knee i proposed to you.

Without a clue that you would break my heart in two.

I could not help, but feel blue without you.

I was in pain, that too was part of her game

I could not claim, she should take all the blame

I knew it to be true, If I played her games I would go down in flames 

Broken hearted over you I headed to the VFW for a brew.

All I could talk about was you. My friends said I had a loose screw.

After a few brews, I was sure I knew Kung-fu got in a fight to forget you

I no longer play her games that left me in pain and feeling Shame

Her game is now like a dying flame though she tries just the same

By 1992 I rarely thought of you

I heard you were married to Drew, Husband number two.

Your heart was broken in two, when you discovered he cheated on you.

This was not cool so you too cheated with his cousin and the bartender too

you play the game though its not the same.

Now you feel the shame as you go down in flames

Your classy champagne no-longer covers your pain.

In 2002 I caught a view of you and chose not to pursue.

I could see you had another fool with you.

Watching you I knew, father time had not been good to you.

For whatever reason, I felt blue for you,

Yet glad that you broke my heart in two back in 1982

Vacation at Bull Shoals State Park

The Ozark Mountains are a wonderful place to visit, camp, and take a family vacation. The Ozark Mountains run through North Arkansas and Southern Missouri. If I was ever asked what I missed about the State of Arkansas this would be at top of my list. It is absolutely beautiful with the rolling hills; the lakes, hiking trails, and fishing streams, the small family farms, and the rich history that make up this region of the state are unforgettable. The people are friendly and some still observe the lifestyles of days long gone: practicing such crafts as furniture making, wood carving, crafting musical instruments, quilt making, black-smiting and candle making. Most of the towns in this area are small and quaint the people are laid-back. If you ever have a chance to visit this part of the country then you should for its scenic beauty, its dynamic pioneering traditions, and wholesome delight. Bull Shoals State Park was one of our family's favorite place to camp and fish.

     I guess the reason that I like this area so much is, because some of my fondest recollections as a child were created here. From the time that I was five years old until I was about ten, my family would vacation at Bull Shoals State Park along the White River. The River is so cold that it will quickly turn your toes blue and make them feel deadened it is so clear that you can always see the rocky-river bed below. In the morning she is serene shallow and the fog is so thick you can not see five feet in front of you. Often by mid afternoon she is awake, she becomes a powerful and swift river  Her picturesque banks are so captivating that newcomers make the error of judgment watching where they have been instead of where they are headed and end up in serious trouble. The flow of the White River is controlled by a hydroelectric dam which formed Bull Shoals Lake: one of several man made lakes in the area.
My father loved to fish for trout and taught each of his three kids how to enjoy it as well. Since the best fishing took place in the early morning and late afternoon it left the middle of the day and the evening for sightseeing, Amphitheater shows, roasting hot dogs over a camp fire or frying up some of the fresh trout that were caught during the day. The smell of fish would permeate the air as other campers around you were doing the same. As the sun would set and the sky would grow dark you could see the orange glow of campfires throughout the whole park and on a clear night you could see the stars and the moon in this area called the Ozarks. There was also artistic culture that was distinctly different from the city.

     It was relatively familiar for one of your neighbors to have a Guitar, Banjo, or a Mountain Dulcimer in their possession which they would begin playing. The night air was filled with the sounds of  instruments playing, people singing, laughing through out the park; along with the frogs and a few owls. Not any irritating televisions, or radios to be heard. As some folks would stroll through the park they would often stop to listen to the musicians as they would play. It always seemed like they enjoyed giving the complimentary performance. And it was predictable that other musicians from other campsites would join in forming there own little band; people they had never seen before and would likely never see again. The river set low in the valley and even in the summer night you would often need a light jacket, because it was so cool there was the absence of the troublesome bloodsucking insect known as the notorious mosquito. I can tell you that they were not missed.

    Being that the river runs as cold as she does, we would envelop a watermelon in a fishing net, tie up the end with a fish stringer, toss it in the river and tie the other end to a tree two hours later. It would be colder than if it had been in the refrigerator. My little sister tried this with an ice cream bar, but the results were not quite as promising. At one end of the park there was an area that was known as the spring where we would go swimming in the late after noon. The spring’s only source of water was from the river itself, yet it was noticeably warmer than the river. From the rivers edge to the end of the spring was an area less than a hundred feet and with its precipitous banks the easiest way to get in was to swing out on a rope that hung from a tree five feet above the water and drop. This is a part of my childhood that I enjoyed maybe even more than Christmas.

     As my father’s business took off and prospered and his military career came to an end: our camping trips to the Ozarks became less and less frequent. Then they became utterly nonexistent. At first I missed the camping trips but with the passing of each year I began to miss them a little less until I hardly gave it a single thought. This all seemed peculiar to me since we were indeed in the camping business. We should be camping and promoting the idea of camping and family unity. At times I thought this to be hypocritical but none of us seemed to have the time. My Dad was running the business, while my Mom was doing the books.  Linda, my older sister ran the accessories store, and took care of the rental fleet while I worked in the shop. Who had time for camping? We sold them, we rented them, and we serviced them, now we had no time to enjoy them. This went on until I was in my senior year of high school. One week during spring break I decided to take one of the rentals and go camping all by myself with no friends or parent just me. It just wasn’t the same. I was there for almost a week and never caught a single fish. The only pleasure that I found was that I could go where I wanted, when I wanted. The park had not changed much with the exception that they had closed the spring where I once used to swim as a child. They had also created some additional campsites which I did not find to be much of an enhancement; since they had cut down several old oak trees to do so. Nevertheless I was still alone and confused; I should be enjoying this.  It was not as I had remembered it. I did not really have any fun. I did not care to eat alone either, so I ate out, never built a camp fire. I was so bored that I finally left two days early to go home.

      Almost twelve years had passed before I returned to the Ozarks. My wife and kids had packed the fifth wheel while I was at work over the course of three days preceding our departure. I had made it quite clear that we were not taking the television, movies or the video games. The night before we were to leave I had to work late and when I returned home the family was asleep, each in their own beds for once. This gave me the perfect opportunity to make an inspection on what had been packed. I found the television, the movies and the video games and hid them in the storage building in the back yard.

      I returned to Bull Shoals State Park, with my wife, my daughter April, and my son William. I had the opportunity to show my family, who had never been there before, they didn't know what to expect of the Ozarks. We did all the things that I had done with my parents. We rented a boat; took it out on the river. I had never been in control of the boat prior to that day. I knew how treacherous the White river could be when the water was high. This made me extremely uneasy since the river could be tremendously unforgiving of mistakes.  As boy my dad had always handled the boat with confidence; at least so it seemed. April who was only about six caught her first fish. Quite by accident I might add but the joy in her face was priceless. I say by accident, I had cast her line out quite a ways from the boat, then handed her the fishing pole. While I was bating my hook, so that I could fish she had been slowly reeling her line in. It was no more than 30 feet from the boat. Just seconds prior to me casting my line, April felt the bump on the line so she jerked back and caught the fish. Once the fish was in the boat, we noticed that she had hooked it right in its side. William was only two at the time and was on a mission to explore anything and everything including Poison Ivey, bugs and even a dead snake that he had found in a bush.

  Once again it was a fun experience to be back. People still did the same things as before; they still had the campfires, roasted hot-dogs and Marsh-mellows. They still gave free concerts; once again it was as I had remembered it some twenty plus years before. It was not that they had changed or that the landscape had changed it was my perspective that had changed.  As a parent I saw the place as my parents must have seen it those twenty plus years before. It was now my turn and even my responsibility to create new memories not just for myself, but for my kids. They would have their own fond memories of the Ozarks like I had as a child. When the vacation was over, it appeared as though everyone had enjoyed themselves and had a good time. This feeling went un-confirmed for almost a year. One day my daughter came to me and asked if we could go to the Ozarks for our family vacation again. So I asked “You really want to go back there?”  William who happened to be in front of the television added an “I want to go too!” This made me happy inside I was glad to see that my kids enjoyed their vacation in the Ozarks as much as I had. It also made me think about the transformation that I had gone through. I was there as a child in the mid to late sixties, back again as a teen and once again as a parent and it was all part of the circle of life.      

The Loud Music Murder Mistrial

By Friday evening the jurors involved in the Michael Dunn, loud music murder trial had been in deliberation two days. During the deliberation, Jurors asked Judge Russell Healey, questions in regards to the verdict. Judge Healey informed them that if the jury could not come to a unanimous agreement on some of the charges that it would result in a hung jury, on the charges that they could not agree on unanimously. This left little doubt that Michael Dunn might be found guilty on some of the other charges. This means that Michael Dunn would still face imprisonment. The prosecution in this case pushed for first degree murder. This decision left many of the well-known legal critics to criticize the prosecutors. Because, first-degree murder would mean that Michael Dunn knew Jordan Davis, had an argument with Jordan Davis and then planned out how he could kill him. This, by any stretch of imagination was not the Case. This incident happened within a 10 minute time span. It was rather spontaneous there was no premeditation to kill Jordan Davis.

Character witnesses testified, to what a great guy, Michael Dunn his calm demeanor, level headed he is. Does not really matter Michael Dunn's own testimony was fairly weak from the beginning. He stuck to his story that he thought that Jordan Davis had a gun, not just any gun, but what looked us like a shotgun. When he was asked, why he continued shooting at the SUV as it was leaving.

His response was, "I was afraid they were going to turnaround; come back to kill me." (Maybe not his exact words but reasonably close). I'm not sure about you, but I'm thinking really Michael, with the gun they didn't even have. By that point they were probably terrified and just wanted to get out of there. He also testified that he called the police the following morning after he heard that Jordan Davis had been killed. Then his fiancée took the stand and weakened his testimony even more. She testified that Michael Dunn never made a call to the police. She also mentioned that it was her idea to get out of there, before the police arrived. Because she was afraid that she would be arrested. She also testified that when she got back in the car, Mr. Dunn made no mention of any type of weapon or any stick that they were going to kill him with. She also made mention of a derogatory statement that Michael Dunn had made when they parked next to the red Dodge Durango, that Jordan Davis was occupying.

Now today at 4:40 PM In Florida the jury had a verdict of guilty on four of the five charges. The jury was hung on the first-degree murder charge. At that time Judge Healey declared a mistrial on that charge. This tells all of us that not even the jury believed it was premeditated. I dare to say that had the prosecutors ask for a lesser charge that it would have been slam-dunk, over and done with. Michael Dunn would have been found guilty, and the family of Jordan Davis would have felt that justice was served. Now that the first-degree murder trial, has been declared a mistrial. The family and friends of Jordan Davis will get to relive this tragedy once again. Not that I am too worried about Michael Dunn, I would imagine he is furious with this. All the legal fees he is paying, has surely caused a lot of financial stress. In addition to that, the emotional stress that he must be feeling now.

Mr. Dunn killed a teenage boy over loud music, and would like for all of us to believe it was self-defense. And I don't doubt that there might have been a few hostile words exchanged between Mr. Dunn and Jordan Davis. After all we were all teenagers at one time, and even a little cocky when it came to adults; that did not approve of the things we did back then. The jury may have or have not, believed his story of self defense. One thing is certain though, they were not persuaded by the prosecutions attempt to prosecute Michael Dunn on the first-degree murder charge.

Tomorrow, February 16, 2014 Jordan Davis would have been 19 years old. His parents were hoping that they would have a verdict before his birthday. So they could celebrate his life; that justice was served for taking his life. That is not going to happen though since it was declared a mistrial. Michael Dunn probably is a nice guy, like his friends have testified. However, on that night in November 2012 Mr. Dunn let his anger get the best of him and took the life of the teenage boy. And who knows what would have become of Jordan Davis had he lived.

I think we can all agree that no matter how much time Michael Dunn serves in prison it will not bring Jordan Davis back to life. And being found guilty on a lesser charge will be of little comfort to the Davis family. It is plain and simple that this was murder and Jordan Davis didn't stand a chance once the shooting began. And even though I don't agree with Michael Dunn's actions, I have to say that Jordan Davis also made a very bad decision that night. He had the opportunity to just say okay no problem will turn it down. However he decided to make issue of it, which led to his own death. As we all know it was not the gun that killed Jordan Davis, it was the man behind the gun. It is sad but true that there are some hot headed people in this world who let little things get to them. Then they snap, which results in a tragedy such as this. I am also the parent of a teenager, and I would be devastated if anything happened to my daughter or son. So I say to all the teenagers in the world, who may be reading this. I urge you to be cautious and to be considerate. You never know who you might be dealing with. Loud music and those other things that adults don't care for, is never worth getting yourself killed.

Is Loud Music A Motive for Taking A Life?

I do not know about you, I really am bothered when some car or SUV pulls up around me, music so loud. So loud, that I can feel my car vibrating. If I wanted to listen to that garbage I would have it in my own car. For those of you that enjoy the music this loud, please has some consideration for those around you. Not everyone wants to hear this, or feel it for that matter. The one thing that we can all be certain of is that audiologist are going to have a lot of job security in the future. Because as you get older you are going to suffer, a significant amount hearing loss. You will eventually need hearing aids. I often get mad over this; I wish that I had a gun in my glove compartment or under the seat. Not to kill anyone but too disable the vehicle so that as I continued my journey I would not have to listen to it any longer. However, I never carry a loaded gun in my car, so there is no need to worry.

Under no circumstances is it ever Okay to hurt or kill someone for something as trivial as loud music, cussing, or drinking.  Unless you are being attacked or fearful, of losing your life; should you ever resort to this type of conduct. This is what Michael Dunn resorted to after he had asked some young men who he had pulled up next to him at a gas station in Jacksonville Florida, on November 23 2012. After he had asked them to turn it down, the teens did as he asked, for a moment. Knowing that it was going to upset Michael Dunn they turned it back up. According to Michael Dunn he could see, and thought he heard one of the teens, Jorden Davis threaten him. Then after seeing what he thought could be the barrel of gun, or a large stick. Dunn pulled the gun from his glove compartment. He put four bullets in the Suv. Now if I was being shot at and I had a gun I would definitely be shooting back. I think that most people would. There was no return gunfire. That is because there was no gun. As the Teens were leaving the scene Dunn shot at least 4-6 more times at the SUV. A total of 10 shots were fired into the vehicle. Jordan Davis had taken 3 of those bullets. If they were leaving the scene then there is no longer a threat. Therefore, why did he need to continue shooting? He didn't need to, Michael Dunn chose to.

When the teens left they drove to the plaza not far from the shooting. The police never searched the plaza, or the dumpsters around the plaza for a gun. This has led to a lot of criticism of the law enforcement agencies that were involved in the investigation. This causes a problem for the defense, because now they cannot prove beyond a shadow a doubt that Jordan Davis threatened Michael Dunn. To the best my knowledge, and from what I've heard while watching the trial. None of these teenagers had any prior police records. After emptying his 9 mm handgun, Michael Dunn sped off. He and his girlfriend registered at the bed-and-breakfast they had reserved. And then they ordered pizza. If he felt that he was justified in shooting at the SUV then why did he drive off? Why not stay at the scene and make a police report. Prior to this incident Michael Dunn had been at a wedding where he had been drinking. Yet supposedly it wasn't enough to impair his judgment.

So far Michael Dunn has denied that race had anything to do with this. It was all about Jordan Davis threatening him. And of course this makes sense, because to kill somebody over loud music would surely end in a verdict of guilty. While no one can confirm what Michael Dunn was thinking at that time we can surely speculate. Unfortunately we live in a society where we profile people by the way they look, the way they act, the way they dress, and their ethnic background. Now you have four African-American male teenagers riding around in an S UV listening to loud rap music, that a lot of people find offensive, and being somewhat disrespectful. For a lot of people that spells trouble. You be the judge.

Yet all three of the remaining teens have testified that Jordan Davis did not make any threats toward Michael Dunn. They also testified that the music was loud and that they couldn't hear anything Michael Dunn was saying. So if they could not hear Michael Dunn, then it is obvious, that if Jordan Davis had threatened Michael Dunn they would not have heard that either. According to Michael Dunn, the victim Jordan Davis was getting out of the vehicle. However, evidence shows that the trajectory of the bullets that hit the vehicle, it was not possible. There are so many things about this case that just don't add up.

It is this writer's opinion, that what we have here is a middle-aged man that made a very bad decision. I also believe that Jordan Davis and his friends, deliberately instigated Dunn's enraged state of mind. But in no way does that justify Michael Dunn's actions. I have serious doubts that the teens had a gun or any other weapon in the vehicle. If they had you can rest assure that they would returned fire, and would have been justified in doing so. It is also my belief that Michael Dunn might have consumed more alcohol than what he stated. This would have impaired his ability to make rational decisions. This whole thing is certainly a tragedy; several people's lives have been affected by this crime. I also have to wonder why this is just now coming to trial; this crime took place more than a year ago. It would appear to me that the memories of the witnesses wouldn't be as fresh. And that this would cause problems for both the defense and the prosecution. One would, also think that the more heinous crimes would go to trial much quicker.  All People need to be more respectful of others. People should not let trivial things, such as bad driving, loud music, and vulgar hand gestures, cause them to be enraged. Something that a friend told me, "Don't allow others to have free rent in your head." As you are running their dastardly deed through your mind; thinking about what you should have told them. Or what you should have done to them. They are driving merrily along, totally unaware that they have control over your thoughts.