WESTERN CANADA PLEASURE-WAY RV CLUB NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014 Website: http://wcpwrv.weebly.com NEW MEMBERS Choquette, Peter & Rosemary join us from Ottawa, Ont We are not new campers, we now have a 2013 Plateau but we have had a 2004 B+ Lexington for the last 9 years as well as various trailers and vans since the late 70's. We have traveled coast to coast as well as through the Yukon and Alaska, so much to see yet. We found out about the club from Pleasure Way's website. I am aware of the US Clubs but we are Canadian EH! Fitzpatrick, Ron & Jean join us from Parksville, BC Ron & Jean have camped before but only in a 5 th wheel and have now downsized to a PW. We first met Ron when we arrived in Metz, France for our 4 year posting there. But Ron says he doesn t remember driving us to the hotel in Metz where we spent our first nights with our 9 month old daughter. After all these years we never ran into him again and look forward to meeting up with both of them in the future. King, Gordon & Maryanne join us from Prince Albert, Sask Gordon & Maryanne are our first Ascent owners in the club. TRAVELS I am sure there are several members who have wintered in the south. Hopefully some of those from the prairies as it has been bitterly cold there, whereas we in BC have been enjoying a sunny and fairly warm winter with temps around 10C 12C during the day. But now it is time to start thinking of the camping season that will soon be upon us. RALLY Enchant, Alberta September 6, 7 & 8 Fred & Dorothy Baxter are looking after this for us. This is the latest that Fred has advised me about. I thought I d wait till March before I would do any action ( they said in the spring) At that time I will send them the full deposit to ensure we have our booking in September solid. We won t require any action before this time. But whoever shows up the amount will be divided equally. When time gets 1
closer I ll send out a schedule, which you can pass on to give those interested in coming - this plan will be just a guide, as not all members may not wish to join in, and that s alright too! Campground Recommendation Lillian and Kathleen Johnston I wanted to share a camping spot that was very enjoyable. The Rain or Shine RV Club to which we belong to camped at the Prairie Oasis campground which is south of Hanna, AB. There were 10 rigs so we were parked in the group camp with power and water. The lake is man made and is warm all year round. The water supplies the Sheerness coal fired power generating plant. The water in the lake is continually being circulated through the plant. We had a very interesting tour of the generating plant. The open coal fields which supply the coal for the plant are across the road from the plant and offers tours as well. There is a shelter in the group camp. We had a potluck supper in it as well as played games there. There was a large open field behind the shelter where we set up a bocce ball court. There are good walking trails and a concession where the ice cream is delicious. There was swimming and boating. There is nothing but prairie all around and this place is truly an oasis. TECH TIPS - from Brian Nielson I have had a horrible leak in my 2008 Ford Excel and could not for the life of me find the source. Finally, I took it to a place that deals with such things and when they connected it to the pressure system, they could all gather around the back and feel the wind blowing out around the back doorsespecially around the hinges, as well as both tail lights. Those were the problem areas and it required all of the seals being replaced. With a price tag of just over $1000, I also received some great advice from the owner and fellow RVer. He said part of my annual maintenance should be a large jar of Vaseline and rub it generously into all of the rubber seals, doors, windows etc. It keeps the rubber soft, subtle, prevents freezing, drying out and cracking. He said if it was done regularly, those seals should have lasted at least 20 years. So, for a few bucks, it might be something to look at. He also suggested putting in silicone crystals during this season to soak up moisture in the air. Any RV dealer has them. When I went to check them out, I ended up with an electronic system- plug it in and keep it running all winter. It has a small heating element and basically a computer fan to circulate the air in the unit taking out moisture. It keeps the humidity out of range of mould forming and creating a nasty mess. The crystals require weekly attention dumping out water- is about a third of the cost but I don't want to be doing weekly servicing and went for the electric unit. Retail is just under $90 but I got mine on sale at Arbutus for 20% off. Jim Powell also wrote and said he used one of the Stor-Dry electronic systems to keep the moisture out of the PW. Here is a link. http://www.caframo.com/marine/marine_products_moldandmildewsolutions_stordry9406.php George usually uses silicone to spray on the rubber to keep them nice and pliable. What s New at Pleasure-Way from Grant Walters www.pleasureway.com As far as what s New at Pleasure-Way you will be happy to hear that we are looking at some alternate wall covering colours! Also just out is the Prestige, which is similar powertrain/chassis to the Pursuit but with a Trifold side sofa and bathroom located at the rear of the coach. Check out the pictures on the Pleasure-Way website. 2
Snowbirds RV Travelers Magazine We get this magazine free digitally, and this time the free Preview Magazine has a list of RV Parks for BC, Alberta, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Go to www.suncruisermedia.com and then click on RV Parks. Nice colour pictures and write-ups, you might find something that interests you. Smiles Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt. Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are "XL." The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. Happy birthday Saskatchewan Saskatchewan celebrated its 108th birthday on August 5th, 2013. This great province has a lot of interesting history. Did you know...?? (lots of good trivia info here) * Saskatchewan produces over 54% of the wheat grown in Canada * Saskatchewan has more road surface than any other province in Canada, with a total of 250,000 km. * Saskatchewan is home to Canada's only training academy for the RCMP * The first implementation of Medicare in Canada was in Saskatchewan in 1946. * In 1941, the western red lily was chosen as the official flower of Saskatchewan. * In 1988, the white birch was adopted as the official tree of Saskatchewan. * In 2001, curling was named Saskatchewan's official sport. * Sylvite, better known as potash, is Saskatchewan's official mineral * Saskatchewan has the largest kimberlite field (diamond-bearing rock) in the world, located near Prince Albert Saskatchewan Fun Facts * Saskatchewan Roughriders - originally known as the Regina Rugby Club from 1910 to 1923, they changed their name to the Regina Roughriders in 1924 and in 1948 to Saskatchewan Roughriders 3
* The word " hoser " originated in Saskatchewan, where it referred to a person low enough to steal gasoline by siphoning it with a hose from someone else's tank * Bunnyhug - hooded sweatshirt with a pocket across the front, the traditional hoodie, only in Saskatchewan known as a Bunnyhug. * Saskatchewan has many places named after body parts - Knee Lake, Eyebrow, Moose Jaw, Arm River, Head Lake, Skull Lake, Elbow and Bone Creek * The very first Dairy Queen in Canada was started in Estevan in 1953 * Dad's Cookies were once made at the former roller skating rink in White City * Regina's Albert Street Bridge is the largest bridge over the shortest span of water in the world * All the mustard on the hot dogs at Yankee Stadium comes from Saskatchewan * Dr. Ballard of dog food fame was a veterinarian in Wolsey which was also the home of the very first Beaver Lumber * Danceland - at Lake Manitou near Watrous has the world's only horse hair padded dance floor Famous Saskatchewan People * Joni Mitchell, famous singer/songwriter grew up in Saskatoon * Art Linkletter (Moose Jaw) radio and television personality, for many years hosted the TV show " Kids Say the Darnest Things " * W.O. Mitchell (Weyburn) wrote about prairie life in his book "Who Has Seen the Wind" * Jeanne Sauve (Prud'homme) was the first woman to become Governor General of Canada * Gordie Howe, one of the greatest hockey player of the NHL was born in Floral, Saskatchewan * Allan Sapp, a world-renowned Plains-Cree artist was born on the Red Pheasant Reserve * Brent Butt (born in Tisdale) created and starred in the television show "Corner Gas" which was filmed in Rouleau, Saskatchewan * Leslie Nielsen (Regina) actor best known for his performance in " The Naked Gun " and it's two sequels * Buffy Sainte-Marie, singer/songwriter, was born on the Piapot Reserve in the Qu'Appelle Valley * Keith Morrison, journalist was born in Lloydminster * Sid Abel (Melville) was the first NHL hockey player to receive all-star status at two positions: centre and left wing * Terry Puhl (Melville) earned stardom as one of the best defensive players in the history of professional baseball 4
NOW YOU KNOW! But they forgot that the Pleasure-Way RV is manufactured in Saskatoon, Sask, but you knew that, right! 5