Wrong Adapter
The electrical adapter pictured in the “Tech Talk” column on page 14 of the October 2019 issue was not the correct one for the situation described in the accompanying question. Charles Wehland had an RV with 30-amp service and asked about stepping up to a 50-amp receptacle. That would require an adapter with a 30-amp female plug and a 50-amp male plug, rather than the one pictured. Family RVing regrets this error.
Wrong Month
The September “Readers Write” column mentioned a previous Family RVing article titled “Motorhome Handling.” The article ran in the July 2019 issue on page 32, not the September 2019 issue.
FMCA Roadside Rescue
Recommendation
My wife and I were stranded in our motorhome along a narrow road near Bryce Canyon, Utah, because of a breakdown. The location was not a good place for cellular service. So, we drove our towed vehicle to Bryce, where I was able to contact FMCA’s Roadside Rescue® and arrange for a tow. I had to speak with several people, but each and every one I spoke with was respectful and courteous.
The tow was set up, our RV was taken to a place that promptly took care of the repair, and we were back on the road in 24 hours.
FMCA Roadside Rescue® employees deal with many personality types who are experiencing stress and difficulty while traveling. I just wanted to say that each and every person I spoke with was truly professional and courteous.
Mike Noonan, F448134
Cascade, Iowa
Welcome In Fredericksburg
I sat down to read the October 2019 issue of Family RVing at lunch this week, and I was surprised to find an article about Fredericksburg, Texas, where we live. After enjoying the photo of a sunrise over Enchanted Rock at the beginning of the piece, I turned the page and saw a smiling photo of myself holding our oldest grandson at Oktoberfest. The picture was taken a few years ago while the two of us were dancing a polka during Fredericksburg’s annual Oktoberfest celebration. This photo appears on our local chamber of commerce website from time to time, so I have seen it before. The grandson in the picture is now 4½, and this year he danced the polka with me on his own two little feet!
I encourage everyone to come to Fredericksburg to experience our German hospitality firsthand. My own German ancestors settled here in 1846, and although much time has passed since the first pioneers came, you still often catch a German phrase spoken by our citizens.
My husband, Steven, and I have been FMCA members since we bought my folks’ 1974 lemon-yellow GMC motorhome back in 2013. We don’t get a chance to travel much, since we ranch and own our own business, Fredericksburg Farms, but we love to take a day here and there to escape in what our kids have dubbed the “Bionic Banana.”
Randy Campbell McAnally, F433899
Fredericksburg, Texas
Memories
Of Sleeping Bear Dunes
What a treat it was to open my copy of the October 2019 Family RVing magazine to discover the outstanding article titled “Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore” (page 66). In 1927, my grandfather built a summer cottage near Beulah, Michigan, on the south shore of Crystal Lake (lower left corner of the map included in the article).
Every year of my childhood, we would go to Michigan right after school was out in May and spend the entire summer there, until after Labor Day. We did this even during World War II when we made the trip by train, because gasoline was rationed. At least once each summer, we would visit the area described as the Dune Climb, and we usually also took the float trip down the Platte River to Lake Michigan. This was the greatest place to spend the summer months while growing up.
The article did not mention the Indian legend regarding the Sleeping Bear and the two Manitou islands. According to the story, a mother bear and her two cubs set out to swim across Lake Michigan from what is now Wisconsin. Being the stronger swimmer, the mama bear reached the Michigan shore first and lay down to rest while waiting for her cubs to arrive, and she fell asleep. She awoke to see that the two cubs (represented by the two islands) had drowned offshore and would never be joining her.
The summer cottage on Crystal Lake is still in the family. My younger brother (the current owner) has made many improvements to the place.
Landon Cox, F482427
Crowley, Texas
Cummins Service In Wyoming
When we arrived at the Tiffin rally in Rock Springs, Wyoming, our check engine light was on. While researching online, we found Cummins Sales And Service in Rock Springs (2000 Foothill Blvd., Rock Springs, WY 82901; 307-362-5168). Field service technician Chris Adams came to the fairgrounds and spent eight hours in oppressive heat diagnosing the problem.
The part necessary to complete the repair was ordered, but because of its weight, it could not be overnighted and wouldn’t arrive for four days.
We received a call in the afternoon of the fourth day telling us the part was in and to bring the motorhome over. Field service coordinator Bill Wells assured us that Chris would work late and have us on our way. As it turned out, the part was on the Cummins campaign list and we incurred no cost.
Major thanks to them both for their customer service! If you are in Rock Springs and need help, don’t hesitate to call them.
Mike & Sharon Cress, F423037
Huntington Beach, California
Thank You, Campground!
My wife and I enjoyed 16 days exploring the northeastern coast of Maine. We would park our RV in a campground and tour in our towed car, because the coastline is beautiful, but many roads are narrow. On days two, three, and four, we stayed at Seaview Campground & Cottages, located on the Penobscot River in Eastport. The view of the river is beautiful, and many of the campers are “summer snowbirds” from Florida.
I could go on and on about the trip. When we arrived home, we found a thank-you note from Basil Pottle, owner of Seaview Campground, thanking us for visiting his RV park. In over 30 years of motorhoming, we have never received a thank-you for staying in a campground. Anita and I will be visiting Seaview again. They are at 16 Norwood Road, Eastport, ME 04631; (207) 853-4471; https://eastportmaine.com
Bob & Anita Casey, F104035
Bristol, Connecticut
Basement A/C Fix
Our RV experienced a basement air conditioner failure caused by a defective circuit board. The manufacturer is out of business, and I searched over a year for a solution. Recently I was put in touch with Galco Industries from Madison Heights, Michigan (www.Galco.com; 800-575-5562). Eric Maurer at extension 4480 took charge of the repair and the A/C now works as it should. I would cheerfully recommend Galco for any electronics repair.
Charles Eggert, F349922
Morristown, New Jersey