Corrections
As a result of a production error, the article “Take A Train To The Beach” story (page 66) in the August issue was missing some text. The entire article appears in the digital edition of the magazine, available at www.fmcmagazine.com. We also are copying the missing portion below. FMC regrets this error.
That’s because on many summer days, the marine layer (cool, thick fog, often accompanied by drizzle) covers the coastal areas, sometimes lingering all day. But regardless of the season you visit, it’s a good idea to check the weather reports beforehand.
My wife and I visited the boardwalk as teenagers. At that time, it actually consisted of a wooden boardwalk along the beach side of this wonderful amusement park. When our kids were young, we took them to the amusement park. Now that our grandkids are teenagers, we wanted an opportunity for all three generations to enjoy this unique place together, which presents a mix of long-running and new attractions.
The one aspect that makes it all possible is the Santa Cruz Beach Train. After learning about that, everything else just fell into place. The round-trip train fare was $28 for adults (ages 13 and up) as of this writing.
Utilizing one of the RV parks within easy walking distance of Roaring Camp makes good sense, for a couple of reasons. First, doing so eliminates the $8 daily fee that is charged to use the parking lot at the railroad and adjacent Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Aside from parking, admission to the park is free, with its old-growth redwood trees, hiking trails, nature center, and other highlights.
A campground at the state park offers campsites with a maximum vehicle length of 35 feet. However, we found three very nice options in close proximity (along State Route 9) that can accommodate virtually any size coach. They are Cotillion Gardens RV Park, where we stayed; Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort; and Smithwoods RV Park. Cotillion is pet-friendly. It also backs up to a trail leading through the redwood forest to a footbridge across the San Lorenzo River. On the other side is one of many trails through the impressive coastal redwoods on state park property.
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Also: The “Southern Vancouver Island” story (August 2014, page 72) contained a photo of a mural on page 74 that was from the town of Chemainus, not Nanaimo, as was stated in the caption. FMC regrets this error.
Pleased In Washington
Dear Editor:
We are writing to let your readers know about the excellent service we received at R ’n R RV Center in Liberty Lake, Washington (866-386-4875; www.rnrrv.com). We went there because during our 7,000-mile trek across the country, the rearview camera on our Tiffin Allegro Red 38 QRA stopped working. We also had been experiencing a problem with our HWH leveling jacks.
We contacted HWH and they quickly recommended R ’n R RV. R ’n R scheduled us two working days later, got us in, quickly diagnosed the two problems, fixed the jacks immediately, and ordered the necessary parts to repair the camera. We went on to our next stop, which was only an hour away, and returned on Monday. They installed the new camera and coaxial cable and had us finished by midafternoon. They even allowed us to spend the night in their campground before we continued on our way the next day.
My wife and I want to thank Rob Skellanger and his whole Green Team, not only for their service but also for the prompt, professional, courteous way they treated us. We were very pleased with R ’n R and would wholeheartedly recommend them to any fellow RVers who are in the area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, or Spokane, Washington. The dealership is convenient to Interstate 90 and you will be treated well.
Ron and Hester Ham, F336739
Polk City, Florida
Professional Service In Arizona
Dear Editor:
While we were traveling on Interstate 40 westbound in northern Arizona early this past February, our 38-foot diesel pusher’s hydraulic pump, which runs the power steering and radiator fan, failed about 15 miles east of Holbrook, Arizona. Winslow Ford hauled us by lowboy to Ash Auto Safety House in Holbrook, which was most fortunate for us.
The folks at Ash Auto Safety House were most thorough and proficient. After they flushed the hydraulic lines and replaced the hydraulic pump, which they located in Michigan and had to have air freighted to Holbrook, we were on our way in the shortest amount of time possible.
If you are ever traveling in northern Arizona and have mechanical problems, I wholeheartedly recommend Winslow Ford (928-289-3354; www.winslowford.com) for towing, and Ash Auto Safety House in Holbrook (928-524-3582; www.autosafetyhouse.com). You’ll be most satisfied and pleased with their professional service.
As a positive side note, while waiting for the repair to be completed, we toured the nearby Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park, which was a delightful experience!
Gordon K. Smith, F399703
Greeley, Colorado
Talladega Days
Dear Editor:
I have been an FMCA member for a long time (F134573), and I am in the Sooner Coaches chapter in Oklahoma. It seems groups like ours are always looking for a place to meet and go on trips.
I have been to lots of NASCAR events; just last week I went to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. While there, I found a great place for FMCA groups and want to pass it on.
If your chapter wants a place that is clean and has things to do, this is it. Talladega has the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, which is wonderful. They also have tours of the track. Just a few miles away in Birmingham, Alabama, is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum; this is a great place to visit also.
Just west of the track property is Grandstand RV Park (3082 Speedway Blvd.; mailing address: 333 Sullivan Lane, Lincoln, AL 35096; 205-763-2220; www.grandstandrvpark.com), a family-owned and operated park, which I recommend.
Fred Walden, F134573
Norman, Oklahoma
Blue Ox Comes Through
Dear Editor:
I have been motorhoming for more than 25 years, and towing a car most of that time, always a Volkswagen, and exclusively with Blue Ox towing accessories.
I never experienced any problems, until this past winter. Upon arriving home and disconnecting the car, I realized it was breaking away. The attachment points on the frame horns had fractured, and the tow bracket was coming off. It still presented no actual danger, as the safety cables were intact, but what a mess to repair.
This was on my 2003 Passat wagon, a great car that I had been towing for about 40,000 miles. The damage to the frame horns was so difficult to repair that the cost would have totaled the car.
I called Blue Ox and explained what had happened. They agreed to send a new tow bracket, and I decided to tackle the job myself, as I have repaired cars most of my life. I also asked them if they would consider compensating me for some of the cost, since it was such a time-consuming job. They asked for photos and a bill, and, after some time and a few calls, they did partially compensate me.
Many thanks to the ladies I talked to, particularly Deanna, who was very knowledgeable and pleasant. Blue Ox does stand behind its products and goes the extra mile for customer satisfaction.
Robert Willis, F124113
Freeport, Illinois