Although it may be difficult to appreciate the concept while you’re at the operating end of a snow shovel, ice crystals and the snowflakes they form are things of beauty, often perfectly symmetrical — sometimes simple, other times wonderfully complex.

When you see an FMCA goose egg affixed to a motorhome in a campground, why not get acquainted with the folks who own the coach and swap recipes? These great ideas come from FMCA members who excel at good cooking.

Shortly after we moved to the Southwest, the real adventures began. At ages 65 and 67, with neither of us having ever owned an RV before, Sandy and I pooled funds again and bought a new 32-foot motorhome.

A bright butterfly flashes by you, and then another of dazzling brilliance comes along. You realize you are in a most uncommon place. Such are the sights along a side street in Homosassa, Florida.

Jayco has nicknamed the 2010 Precept the “Escape Artist.” Since this Type C motorhome is based on the popular and economical Sprinter chassis, Escape Artist is a solid and succinct sobriquet for this high-mileage hustler, which I had an opportunity to inspect at a recent Las Vegas RV show.

It is a stunning place, with grand vistas and enticing alcoves. Its colors sometimes resemble the work of a mad artist who shoveled his paint on the canvas with a trowel. At other times, it appears to be the work of a careful beautician combining just the right hue of base and final makeup for maximum enhancement.

In the world of RVing, I have heard many myths about certain tasks that are said to be gender-specific. Many women have commented that driving their motorhome would intimidate them. They fear that their husbands would criticize their driving and that operating a motorhome is not a feminine thing.

Like the names of so many places across North America, Kissimmee is an American Indian word that melodically resonates on the tongue. (It’s pronounced with the accent on the second syllable.) The word is thought to mean “long water” in the original. Lake Kissimmee is also a place that offers easily …

By understanding how your motorhome’s slideouts work, and taking the time to maintain them, you can enjoy trouble-free operation for years.

Good old-fashioned spelling bees are not just for kids anymore. Adult spelling bees can be great entertainment at happy hours, fundraisers, and even chapter rallies. The largest and most renowned adult spelling competition is the AARP National Spelling Bee.

Workhorse Chassis Brake Clarification

The “W22 Brake Caliper Overheating” letter in the November 2009 Tech Talk column included information about an Office of Defects (ODI) investigation relating to Bosch front disc brake caliper problems on certain Workhorse chassis.

Slideout Awnings

Some of the awnings over my slideouts are loose on the ends, but tight in the middle. When the wind starts to blow, the ends flap and create noise inside the motorhome.

A Flawed Finish

Dear RV Doctor:
We purchased a 1992 Coachmen Type A motorhome about four years ago. Since it is parked outside all the time, 90 percent of the clear-coat finish has peeled off (except for the bumpers), and the decals have faded and are severely cracked.

Emergency Information Card

In the event we were ever in an accident while sightseeing away from our motorhome, no one would know the name of the campground where it was parked. So I created an information card that we carry … 

Flashlight

The Gorillatorch from Joby Inc. is a hands-free flashlight that can be formed to attach to just about anything and provide illumination for any situation.

Newell Coach Models Styled By Designer Jason Hill

Newell Coach Corporation, based in Miami, Oklahoma, announced that it has begun production of its 2011 models, with retail deliveries scheduled for the beginning of 2010. The new models feature updated styling by …

How do you decorate your motorhome for the holidays?

We are looking ahead to a new year that introduces more motorhomers to FMCA than ever before. To help accomplish this goal, we are kicking off a recruitment campaign in earnest on January 1, 2010. It is called “A Dozen Does It.” For every 12 new FMCA members a chapter signs up, the chapter will receive a prize package.

In 2008, when FMCA’s leaders worked on the budget for the 2009 calendar year, changes suggested to balance the budget included a proposal that members using the Mail Forwarding Service begin paying a portion of its associated costs.

The “Oklahoma Pow-Wow,” the 36th edition of the Six-State Rally (also known as the South Central Area Rally), was a great success. Just as the American Indians powwow each year to celebrate their heritage, FMCA members gathered at the …

Many people think of deserts as large areas of drifting sand, but actually only about two percent of North America’s deserts contain sand dunes. … Many dune areas are now state or national parks and monuments with easy access, but a few require travel on dirt roads. Always check locally before leaving the paved highways.

This story isn’t about the latest equipment and accessories found in model-year 2010 motorhomes. This is a peek into the future, thanks to technology insiders who answered my call for a look into the crystal ball. … here are some predictions as to how full-timing will be safer, greener, and more fun in future years.

What follows in this article are steps you should take to winterize your motorhome and protect all of its vital systems, so the vehicle is ready to roll once the trees start budding again.