WESTERN CANADA PLEASURE-WAY CLUB NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2009

Transcription

1 WESTERN CANADA PLEASURE-WAY CLUB NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2009 A new year of travel is about to begin, can you all smell spring in the air? The RV is starting to hum in the laneway and getting itchy tires. Some lucky member s are already basking in the sun. Received an from Wilf and Bonnie Schamber and they are enjoying Mexico in their PW heading towards PuertoVararta. They are not sure if they want to encourage more people to RV in Mexico, as there are limited amount of campgrounds with more closing then new ones opening. There are lots more Class B units in Mexico this year over last year. At an ocean front campground in Mazatlan there were five Sprinters together representing Great West, Road Trek, Winnebago, Pleasure-way and a home built unit. It was a great opportunity to compare features, upgrades and stuff that didn't work so good on the units. Also of note is that the Mexicans use some funny economics, they raise their prices when business drops so they still have the same revenue. Generally speaking prices are a bit higher or includes less then it did last year. Price of diesel is.75/liter. This year there are very few Class A from the US just lots of 5th wheels from BC. I would estimate that about 1/3 of the RV'ers in Mexico are from British Columbia. Cliff and Annabelle Ringash are also enjoying warmer weather in the south than they have in Brandon. Joe & Connie Abrook are enjoying the sun in Arizona, but left their PW to freeze in Saskatoon, poor thing and we are having unusually cold weather here in Chilliwack and snow has even dared to stay on the ground for nearly a month, but it is starting to warm up and getting the blood to finally thaw out. Pleasure-Way has asked us if any of our members are planning on attending The Rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico on the17-20 April. We were talking to Phil Nicols at the Abbotsford RV Show and he said that the Osmond s have just been signed up as guest entertainers. According to the website it is the three brothers, but not Donnie, who will be there on Sunday 19 th April. Neil Sedaka will be there on the Friday, April 17 th and his show, I ve heard from someone who attended it in Vancouver, was excellent. Rita Coolidge will be performing on April 18 th and Papa Doo Run Run on Monday the 20 th. So by April the chance of winter storms should be over and it should be fun to join other Rver s attending the Good Sam Rally in Albuquerque. For more information you can go to and get the agenda. At the end of this Newsletter is the Form with the information to book with the Pleasure-Way group, which is a little cheaper than booking with Good Sam. If you re planning on attending could you let us know. NEW MEMBERS - Listed below are the new members who we are welcoming to the group. Denis Wilcox lives in Port Moody, BC and he and his wife have done lots of RVing and are looking to spending more time in BC, perhaps with more of a camping club. Some areas visited include the Utah Canyons/National Parks, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, California and the Oregon coast. Also, have travelled as far east as Manitoba. Denis is our first Lexor owner to join the club. 1

2 Nick & Maggie Houser live in Powell River, BC. Nick is a Solar Electric Contractor and Maggie is the dispatcher for the Lund water taxi. We'd like to find out about any camp dates or rallies happening this year, especially regionally. Our major reason to shift from our cruising sailboat to a "Land Yacht" is so we can go anywhere with our two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, especially to dog shows and Agility Trials. Many dog folk are Rver s it seems, for good reason. I would be glad to volunteer my solar expertise to you or any others who are interested. Before I solarize our Plateau, though, I need to find a place for more battery power and I am looking for suggestions as to where to put it under the driver s seat or the bed? Would appreciate any suggestions from other owner s. Nick I believe there was an article in the Yahoo PW Owner s Group where someone had added an extra battery. Maybe some other Plateau owner s can send Nick some info on this. Fred & Dorothy Baxter live in Lethbridge, AB. The model of our Pleasure-Way is a 2001 Excel that we bought in Prior to that we had a 1994 Pleasure-Way, which we bought in And if I could see my way I'd buy a newer one again. I keep buying 649 tickets, but can't even win $10. I am also originally from Ontario, and retired military. We moved to Lethbridge almost four years ago, and really like it here. We are members of a Good Sam RV Club here in Lethbridge and I was a little hesitant on taking on another club, but we are starting our 3rd year now and feel we can manage them both. In June they have a 'Samboree' (that's what they are called), which includes the whole Province of Alberta, it is in Tofield this year. Last June it was in Strathmore just west of Calgary. And in 2010 it is being planned for the southern part of Alberta. Last June was our first and they had 500 attendees, 250 rigs. Having a class 'B' motorhome, we are the ones with the smallest units. Some are monstrous, as you can imagine. So it will be a treat to be amongst our own. But no matter what size the RV the people are the greatest We had sent out an asking the members their thoughts of having members from the USA who would like to join our group as many live close to the Canadian border and like to travel in Canada. We had a positive response and our first American members to join are Chuck & JoAnne Robertson. Chuck & JoAnne Robertson - The first PW owners from the USA to join the group. Are we the first from the USA to join the Western Canadian PW Club? That's pretty neat! We live on Camano Island it is about half way between Seattle and the Canadian border. JoAnne and I bought our Excel TS in December 2004 and now have 111,000 km on it. We have traveled to our southwest several times, into BC and AB a couple of times, all the way back to Newfoundland once, and along the Gulf of Mexico to Florida. We keep a record of our nights out and we have averaged 65 nights/year. This spring we hope to go to the Canyon lands of Utah and back to our old home in Colorado. Both of us were teachers in our working years. JoAnne taught elementary school and ended her career as a librarian. I taught physics at the college level ending up at the University of Washington. Now we enjoy traveling. Besides traveling in our PW, we have made many trips overseas. In March we will be going to Africa. We met Judy and Christian Kline at a PW West rally a couple of years ago and hoping we can see them again at one of the Western Canada rallies. John & Carol Williams join us from Seattle, Washington. Carol, and I have spent a lot of time boating in the Vancouver Island area - Nanaimo, Comox, Port McNeill, Campbell River, Broughton archipelago, etc - but we sold the boat for our land yacht, "Priscilla", a 2007 Excel TS. Not sure we can make the May/June trip but would like you to keep us updated on anything in the future. We would certainly try to bring Priscilla to one of your functions. 2

3 Maureen Burrows & Marie Glenndinning live in Maple Ridge and they travel together in Maureen s RV. My motohome is a 2003 Pleasure Way, white van. I went to the factory in Saskatoon to visit Phil and he toured me through and I ordered all the things I ve wanted in a motorhome. I just love it, its so easy to drive compared to the Class "C" I had before. I also attended the rally in Saskatoon in I go travelling about three times a year. Last year to Alaska, then Sky Valley in California, and Sask. I live in Maple Ridge but I only spend about 3 months of the year there. Marie is my cousin and she lives at Pinantan Lake, just outside of Kamloops. We go to her place at the Lake in May through to the end of Sept. Then we travel in October, home in November, December and January, then most of the time off again. Roger & Buffie Olack We purchased our 2002 PleasureWay Excel TD in April, 2002 and used it mainly for weekend camping trips until we retired in Buffie retired as an Elementary School Librarian and Roger is a retired Civil Engineer. He worked at the local utility company, the Reno-Tahoe Airport, and the School District during the 30 years we have lived in Reno. Since 2006 we have put over 30,000 miles on our PW, traveling coast to coast in the US visiting family and reconnecting with friends. We attended the 2007 PW Rally in Saskatoon and are looking forward to seeing more of Western Canada with the Club. Buff's hobbies are cross-stitching, sewing, and compiling our family history, so we have spent lots of time in cemeteries and courthouses. While she's doing her research Roger does his best to find the local golf course. We also both enjoy hiking and reading. Thanks again for including us in your Club. We look forward to meeting all of you. TRAVELS For some time Pleasure-Way had put on a Rally in Saskatoon every other year. It was very popular and many PW owners came from across Canada and the USA. This year Pleasure-Way has decided to try and have Rallies in different areas. There was one planned for Florida, but that one was cancelled due to lack of interest/number of attendees. In April Pleasure-Way will be joining The Rally that Good Sam is putting on and hoping for a good turn out. Donna Vaters sent us a picture of the group that attended the last PW Rally in Saskatoon, so thought we would send that along for your interest. Donna & Hayward Vaters are in the first row at the far left. That is a big group of PW Owners. 3

4 VOTING The WCPWC has voted on changing the Club from national to International. The members were in favour of changing. Hence we now are an international club and have signed up two members from south of the border. Well done, members. I will hold the count for one month, any member wishing to know what the voting count was please, contact me. TINKER Wind Power. We went to the RV show in Abbotsford this past weekend and had a good look and question period on the wind and solar power for various RVs. The RV that was at the RV show had a wind turbine attached to the rear of the vehicle for ease of putting it up and down. The turbine did in fact put out sufficient power for off road use. However, there was the cost of the turbine, approximately $600 to $800 and then a bank of four/five batteries. I think the cost for this manner of producing power is a little expensive. I can see this being in the neighbourhood of $1,000 to $1,500 for parts and then the cost of putting it together and onto the RV. The gentleman and his RV will be at the Pleasure Way Rally this spring in New Mexico, if any one would like to have a look at it and ask questions. He won t be hard to find, with that big windmill on top of his truck camper. Air filters. I have been asked about air filters for our RVs. The best air filter that I know and have used is the K and N. It works very well and does the job it says it will. It also allows the engine to breath better and it is the last one you will have to buy. Cost is approximately $65. Clothes hanger. We have been looking for a means of hanging our clothes when we hit the sack at night. Yes the closet could be full. So Rosemarie has come up with a nice solution. Canadian Tire sells a clothes hanger that goes across the inside of the vehicle in behind the front seats. This hanger has the correct ends on it to hook on the shelves immediately above the front seat in the RVs. Photo to follow. You can leave it in this position or take it down and store away and put it back up the next night. It really works. See web site The cost of the clothes hanger is approximately $ The hook just sits on the wooden lip. I also have a towel rack hooked on that ledge and it can be moved back and forth if we wish to have the rod sit closer to the door. With it in the present position the door is still able to open. 4

5 The plan is to hang our clothes up here in the evening rather than hanging them over the seats. Attached Tables Chuck Robertson There was mention in a previous newsletter of modifying the rear table for more convenience. Here's what I've done. I removed the table and store it in the hanging closet. I built two small tables that are hinged to the side walls. When not in use, they store up against the wall. The major problem is that you cannot sit up to the table and eat. You have to hold your plate in your lap. Works well for us as it leaves lots of space in the rear. Wheel Spacers. The question of wheel spacers has come up again. It has been asked should there be wheel spacer on a Sprinter. The answer to that question is no. The Sprinters do not come with wheel spacers and wheel spacers are not to be put on the Sprinter rear wheels. The rear wheel spacers where put on the Ford rear wheels as the Ford carries the wide body RV. They were added for more stability. By the way they do work great 5

6 RALLY Our rally is planned for the first two weeks in Jun. Leaving Chilliwack BC and heading to Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Then to Moose Jaw and heading west to Osoyoos and North to Oliver. See the last page for details. The dates might have to be moved one or two days but you will all be kept in the picture. So we are going to be busy with the Canadian rally and we also have the PW rally in New Mexico this spring. Also it has been proposed by one of our members to hold a fall rally in Kananaskis Park, Alberta. Sounds like a great idea and it will have to be worked into our club plans and get it on the road. A real beautiful time of the year to be in the park as well. RALLY - Tentative Itinerary (I had started an itinerary and have misplaced my notes, so it means starting over again.) Day one, 31 May 2009 or one or two days earlier Leave Chilliwack BC and drive to Hope, Merritt, Kamloops and Revelstoke, were we will spend the first night. Point of Interest is Three Valley Gap and the Hydro Dam in Revelstoke. Checking out two different campgrounds there. Also make a stop at Craigellachie, the Last Spike. Day two, 1-2 Jun 2009 Leave Revelstoke and head towards Rogers Pass and Golden. Then onto Alberta, Banff to Cochrane, Olds and Red Deer where we will spend two nights. It has been suggested to stay at the Lions RV Park on the river in Red Deer. May stay longer here as our son and granddaughter live here. Day Four, 3 Jun 2009 Leave Red Deer and head towards Provost, Unity and cross into Saskatchewan and onto Saskatoon. We will stay outside Saskatoon at Watrous where we will enjoy a quiet campground and the hot springs for two days. Up in the morning of day five and enjoy a tour of the Pleasure Way Factory in Saskatoon and a free day to enjoy the city. Then back to our campsites and enjoy the warmth of the waters and prepare for a morning trip. May stay at a campground in Saskatoon and take a day trip to the hot springs. Day six, 5 Jun 2009 South to Moose Jaw and view the Moose Jaw Tunnels and area. Celebrate Rosemarie s Birthday, she will be a big 25 years old. There are other things to see in Moose Jaw. Day Seven 6 Jun 2009 West to Swift Current and onward into Alberta. We will stop at the Cyprus Hills and Medicine Hat. Day Eight, 7 Jun 2009 Up early and into Lethbridge and BC. Stop at Fort Steel for a two-day stop over and enjoy a tour of the Fort taking in any entertainment that is normally excellent and drive around the area and see Cranbrook. Day ten, 9 Jun 2009 Depart Fort Steel area and onward to Salmo and then North to Hot Springs and Nakusp. Stay in Nakusp over night and enjoy the mountains and surrounding area. A beautiful area and lake 6

7 Day Jun 2009 Leave Nakusp and head for the ferry at Fauquier and cross over to Needles. And then onward to Vernon and the Okanagan. This day we should arrive at Oliver for our gathering. But it all depends on how fast we cross with the Ferry and how many trips it will take to have us all on one side. If the Ferry crossing is fast we go on to Oliver. If not we stop around Vernon and the next day we will be in Oliver. Day 12, 11 Jun 2009 Arrive Oliver and settle in for our three day get together and enjoy the surroundings, pool, hot tub and of course the best fish and chips in BC, not to mention the ice cream at Tickleberry s. The beach and sand area in Okanagan Falls is really great. The water is some of the warmest swimming water in BC. There is also a very large and well attended, Flee Market, every Fri, Sat and Sun. For the Rally we can book in on the Thursday 11 Jun and we will be there for Fri, Sat and Sun. God willing and the rivers don t rise the cherries will be ready to pick at that time. Those wishing to take the trip from Chilliwack or any part thereof, please let me know soonest. For those wishing to be at the rally and fun days, please book your camping sites at the Bel Air Cedar Resort Ltd. This is located in Oliver BC. We will be contacting them later when things are firmed up more. Please info me if you are planning on attending. Don t book your sites until I have spoken in depth with the owners as we would like a better rate and also to ensure we have use of the barbeques and meeting room for any meetings or nightly games as we did last year. I will contact them and ensure all is set up and obtain all further info for us all. This will happen no later than Mid Mar If all is settled before that I will pass it on and we can pre book then. Looking forward to the trip and the gathering and hope as many as possible can make this get together, were we can meet old friends and make new ones. If you want or need fresh fruits and vegetables and the likes, hold off until you hit Oliver and we will take a trip of all the good fruit stands and enjoy. Members along the way or close to the route are asked to please send any info they can on campgrounds in their areas and points of interest for the members who will be doing the travelling. We will publish it for all members to see and retain in the event they would like to make a trip in the future. I will be in contact with Pleasure Way Industries many times before we leave on the trip and see what can be arrange with them during the factory tour. There is for example an item I want replaced in my RV, if I have to pay for it or not, a point that is bugging me. Maybe they will do this during our tour. It would be nice to see new ideas and modifications to the coaches and future plans. It is all in the planning stages but I believe it will happen. Websites We often receive information about different camping websites that might interest people. One is One that we receive regularly is If you go to that website you will see pictures of the last three issues. In the latest issue (on the right) there are some articles of places that we will travel through or visit on the Rally to Saskatoon. On pages there is some information on Revelstoke. There is the Enchanted Forest which we always drive by and is likely for the younger generation but they have some new things there and maybe someone is interested in seeing. On page 24 is some information on Fort Steele and when I looked at it one time I seen something on Kimberley which is also near Fort Steele but today I could not find the page number. On page 26 is an article on the Nakusp Hot Springs. 7

8 Pleasure-Way Group Reservation Form The Rally Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico Friday, April 17 Monday, April 20, Early Birds Welcome Wednesday, April 15, and/or Thursday, April 16 First Name Last Name Badge Name First Name Last Name Badge Name Address City State/Prov Zip Phone ( ) Alternate Address: Street City State/Prov Zip Phone( ) Alternate Address From / / To / / Address Would you like to receive about The Rally exhibitors, events and activities from The Rally? Yes No Would you like to receive about other RV rallies, tours and events? Yes No Would you like to receive about other RV-related products and services? Yes No Rally Fees April 17 April 20, 2009 Early Bird Early Bird Line Total Price prior to 3/10/09 Price as of 3/11/09 1 Night April 16 2 Nights April 15 & 16 Electric $299 $369 $30 $60 $ (Fee includes Rally Admission for 2 Adults) Additional Adults $75 each # $ Additional Children (13-17 yrs. of age) $39 each # $ Additional Children (12 and under) Free # FREE Name (Adult 1) City St/Pr Name (Adult 2) City St/Pr Child's Name Age Child's Name Age (if under the age of 17) AMEX VISA M/C DISC Exp / CK Grand Total $ Signature Vehicle Type Year RV Make RV Model RV Length Slide Outs # Towing Car ( ) Yes ( ) No Send confirmations to WILL CALL Yes, send me information on becoming a Rally Volunteer Pleasure-Way Group Parking: The Rally is pleased to offer the above discounted rates for your group. However, please be aware that handicap-accessible and dry-camping parking options are not available within the designated Pleasure-Way Group Parking Area. Written cancellations postmarked by February 12, 2009, are subject to a $25 handling fee. Cancellations post-marked between February 13 March 25, 2009 are subject to a $50 handling fee. Cancellations post-marked March 26, 2009 or later forfeit 75% of the total event fee. No refunds will be made after The Rally starts on April 17, All cancellations must be requested in writing and sent to: The Rally, P. O. Box 6852, Englewood, CO Once final packets with window cards have been mailed, the window cards must be returned with a letter of cancellation before a refund is processed. For reservations call toll-free (800) x 408 8

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