For "tRaVersing or RV Day":
Gas prices are rising again, and will be even higher by the time Summer gets here. Gas saving tips
"Stretch your mileage here, according to The Weekly Driver, are 12 ways to increase your fuel mileage:
1. Tune up. 
2. Properly inflated tires.
3. Unpack extra cargo.
4. Reduce speed.
5. Avoid idling.
6. Drive and brake consistently.
7. Use overdrive.
8. Reduce air conditioner use.
9. Clean air filter.
10. Use proper oil.
11. Plan trips efficiently.
12. Cap gas proper fit.
RV fuel price rise: How to see less of the pump
"While the debate about the real reasons (if any) for the increase in fuel costs rages, the reality for RVers is that right now, filling up the old RV does cost more. If you're a snowbird, you're already feeling the pinch. If you're a mostly summer RVer, no doubt you're a bit worried about what fuel prices will do to your travel plans.
How can you see more of the road, and less of the pump? Does the answer lie in those internet marketed "fuel saving" devices or snake-oil-for-your-tank brews? You may be surprised--there really are ways to go more miles on your tankful.
Drive and Save
The first rule of thumb is on your foot. Ha! Give yourself a hand! Don't plant your foot so firmly on the accelerator. Every time you bear down on the "gas pedal" more money flies out the exhaust pipe. Let entropy work in your favor: When approaching a stop or slowing down for a speed zone change, get your foot off the accelerator and coast (in gear) rather than brake to slow. Coasting to decelerate saves fuel and cuts down on brake wear.
Leaving the stop line. Don't make like the 40 yard dash. A controlled, easy acceleration can save as much as 10% on your fuel economy. Picture an egg between your foot and the pedal. Ease down on the gas to increase speed. At highway speed while on level roads kick in the cruise control. It's best to leave the cruise-o-matic "off" when doing hills.
Your RV is like a big house rolling down the highway as it presents a large front to the air. If you push up to over 55 miles per hour the wind resistance against "Moe Moe the Motorhome" can really drop your economy--as much as 2% for every mile of speed over the double nickel mark. If your rig averages 10 miles to the gallon and you have a 300 mile trip ahead of you, sure, you'll get there a half hour quicker if you drive 60. But if you keep it to 55, you'll save a considerable amount of cash at current fuel prices.
Gas engine drivers, a low-cost vacuum gauge will help you visualize fuel savings. As a general rule the higher the "vac" the less the fuel being consumed. Got a turbo diesel? Some turbo drivers say if they keep the boost to five pounds or less greater distances between fillups result. We've found keeping a hawk eye on the exhaust gas temperature means a lot in terms of economy. The higher the exhaust temp--particularly when traveling on the level--means more pain at the fuel pump." Rest of article at: http://rvtravel.com/RVusing/RV_fuel_price_rise_How_to_see_less_of_the_pump.shtml By Russ and Tina DeMaris
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6 Myths About Gas Mileage
"The summer driving season is at hand, which probably means you're spending more on gasoline. Not only are you likely to be filling up more often, you're also paying more for the privilege: Since last May, gas has risen 36 percent to a national average of $3.95 for a gallon of self-serve regular, according to the Automobile Association of America.
So as you prepare to hit the road for beach trips, visits to grandma, or just to see America from the open road, it’s worth a quick review of the best ways to boost your mileage. The only problem is that much of what you have been told about boosting mileage is a myth. Here we debunk six of the most widely believed mileage misconceptions."
The 6 myths are in the rest of article by Jim Henry at: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505144_162-51317188/6-myths-about-gas-mileage/
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Other myths dispelled:
- Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold.
- When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode.
- One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY.
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/p/pumping-gas.htm
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Choose your location below to find cheap gas in your area and start saving today! http://www.carseverything.com/cheap-gas-prices.html
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Fire Safety Tip from Mac McCoy
"A hard-working engine manifold can get as hot as 900 degrees F. The heavy insulation in the compartment reflects the heat back to the top of the engine, and a fire can easily break out. Inspect your radiator and have any problems repaired by a qualified person as soon as possible." Learn more about Mac and fire safety.
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Fire Safety Tip from Mac McCoy
"Deadly, invisible, odorless carbon dioxide (CO) usually results from exhaust leaks or misuse of heating devices. Be sure to put your CO detector in the bedroom. The proper location is on the ceiling or on an inside wall at least eight inches from the ceiling and at least four feet from the floor. Check the instructions with your own CO detector for specific location recommendations." Learn more about Mac and fire safety.
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Tech Tips from Mark Polk: Check your first aid kit
"Make sure your first aid kit or medicine cabinet includes items for bug bites, bee stings, swimmers ear, sunburns, upset stomachs, chapped lips, heartburn, rashes, sore throats, headaches, and fevers. Expect the unexpected; you might not have access to a store or pharmacy."
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Tech Tips from Mark Polk, Tire neglect is bad news
"Every weight rating on an RV is based on the weakest link in the system. The tires on your RV are by far the most important and most neglected link in the system. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've heard people say that the tires on their RV were defective, or my tires only had 12,000 miles on them when I had a blowout. In the majority of cases the truth of the matter is that tire maintenance has been neglected. The only thing between your RV and the road surface is your tires and the air that is in them. Here are some of the leading causes of premature tire failure? Overloading or under-inflating the tires, exposure to ozone and UV rays, old tires, failure to rotate tires."
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From The RV Kitchen, Smokin’ Hot Bacon Marmalade
"This easy, homemade condiment adds a burst of flavor to almost any dish from seafood to scrambled eggs.
2 small yellow onions
2 jars or packets real bacon bits (3 to 4 ounces each), no substitutes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup each dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and maple-flavor pancake syrup
½ cup strong coffee
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce, regular or chipotle
Peel and trim onions and cut them in half, north pole to south pole. Then slice in thin crescents. Sizzle bacon bits, onion and garlic in hot oil until onion is tender. Stir in brown sugar, vinegar, syrup and coffee. Bring to a boil until slightly thickened, then stir in Tabasco. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Flavor is intense, so spoon it sparingly over almost any cooked meat, seafood, casserole or egg dish.
Cook’s note: Pass the Tabasco for those who like even more heat."
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Do "Campground Full" signs really mean full?
"When on the road and looking for an overnight stop don’t drive on by campgrounds with “Campground Full” signs at their entrance.
Often, busy campground hosts are not current in updating their campground status and may actually have a vacancy. And if not, they may know which local campgrounds still have vacancies.
Also, some campgrounds—especially public campgrounds like state parks—have overflow parking good for a night or two but they don’t post this information. It always pays to ask before moving on." From: http://www.rvquicktips.com/2011/03/do-campground-full-signs-really-mean.html
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The Pre-Delivery Inspection Is Critical When You Purchase An RV
"When we purchased our new 5th wheel the dealer said they did a pre-delivery inspection (PDI), however, it was done poorly because several major problems that should have been discovered on a PDI went unnoticed. Like a crack in the fresh water tank that only allowed you to fill the tank half way before it started leaking." More at: http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/2007/05/pre-delivery-inspection-is-critical.html
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Older women escape winter winds in RVs
"A growing number of older women are driving motor homes and RVs thousands of miles to see friends and places they might never see otherwise. Lee Cowan reports on this hidden group of women who live on the country's roads." Video of Solo Women Out On The Road: http://screen.yahoo.com/older-women-escape-winter-winds-in-rvs-28220903.html
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On This Day:
Silver dollars made legal, Feb 16, 1878:
"Strongly supported by western mining interests and farmers, the Bland-Allison Act—which provided for a return to the minting of silver coins—becomes the law of the land.
The strife and controversy surrounding the coinage of silver is difficult for most modern Americans to understand, but in the late 19th century it was a topic of keen political and economic interest. Today, the value of American money is essentially secured by faith in the stability of the government, but during the 19th century, money was generally backed by actual deposits of silver and gold, the so-called "bimetallic standard." The U.S. also minted both gold and silver coins.
In 1873, Congress decided to follow the lead of many European nations and cease buying silver and minting silver coins, because silver was relatively scarce and to simplify the monetary system. Exacerbated by a variety of other factors, this led to a financial panic. When the government stopped buying silver, prices naturally dropped, and many owners of primarily western silver mines were hurt. Likewise, farmers and others who carried substantial debt loads attacked the so-called "Crime of '73." They believed, somewhat simplistically, that it caused a tighter supply of money, which in turn made it more difficult for them to pay off their debts.
A nationwide drive to return to the bimetallic standard gripped the nation, and many Americans came to place a near mystical faith in the ability of silver to solve their economic difficulties. The leader of the fight to remonetize silver was the Missouri Congressman Richard Bland. Having worked in mining and having witnessed the struggles of small farmers, Bland became a fervent believer in the silver cause, earning him the nickname "Silver Dick."
With the backing of powerful western mining interests, Bland secured passage of the Bland-Allison Act, which became law on this day in 1878. Although the act did not provide for a return to the old policy of unlimited silver coinage, it did require the U.S. Treasury to resume purchasing silver and minting silver dollars as legal tender. Americans could once again use silver coins as legal tender, and this helped some struggling western mining operations. However, the act had little economic impact, and it failed to satisfy the more radical desires and dreams of the silver backers. The battle over the use of silver and gold continued to occupy Americans well into the 20th century."
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Archaeologist opens tomb of King Tut, Feb 16, 1923:
"On this day in 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.
Because the ancient Egyptians saw their pharaohs as gods, they carefully preserved their bodies after death, burying them in elaborate tombs containing rich treasures to accompany the rulers into the afterlife. In the 19th century, archeologists from all over the world flocked to Egypt, where they uncovered a number of these tombs. Many had long ago been broken into by robbers and stripped of their riches.
When Carter arrived in Egypt in 1891, he became convinced there was at least one undiscovered tomb--that of the little known Tutankhamen, or King Tut, who lived around 1400 B.C. and died when he was still a teenager. Backed by a rich Brit, Lord Carnarvon, Carter searched for five years without success. In early 1922, Lord Carnarvon wanted to call off the search, but Carter convinced him to hold on one more year.
In November 1922, the wait paid off, when Carter's team found steps hidden in the debris near the entrance of another tomb. The steps led to an ancient sealed doorway bearing the name Tutankhamen. When Carter and Lord Carnarvon entered the tomb's interior chambers on November 26, they were thrilled to find it virtually intact, with its treasures untouched after more than 3,000 years. The men began exploring the four rooms of the tomb, and on February 16, 1923, under the watchful eyes of a number of important officials, Carter opened the door to the last chamber.
Inside lay a sarcophagus with three coffins nested inside one another. The last coffin, made of solid gold, contained the mummified body of King Tut. Among the riches found in the tomb--golden shrines, jewelry, statues, a chariot, weapons, clothing--the perfectly preserved mummy was the most valuable, as it was the first one ever to be discovered. Despite rumors that a curse would befall anyone who disturbed the tomb, its treasures were carefully catalogued, removed and included in a famous traveling exhibition called the "Treasures of Tutankhamen." The exhibition's permanent home is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo."
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Yesterday:
It was warm enough that the cats could go out on the screen porch first thing, but it was drizzling. Misty and I went to pick up Jay, and walked our walk in our raincoats.
On the way to Conroe for shopping day, the wipers had to be changed to varying speeds of 'intermittent', as the rain couldn't decide how fast it wanted to fall.
We had started out later than usual, so we just went to 2 thrift shops. Jay finally found some jeans his size and a Jimmy Buffet denim jacket on sale. I didn't see anything that I needed. We unloaded the paper and plastic bag recycling, and then a quick stop at Kroger's.
After I had dropped Jay off and unloaded the van, the heavens opened up and we had a good downpour. Maybe we can get something done as it isn't supposed to rain today.
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