Dave & Janice Evans

This is an blog which was written by Janice and Dave Evans who are Workampers and have had RV Maintenance issues to deal with…just like everybody else. However, here is the way that they have chosen to deal with their issues. Here is their blog : Ready to Go Fulltime RVing

We met the Evans when we were doing RV Maintenance seminars in Houston, TX at PPL Motorhomes.  We found out that they were workampers and are subscribers of Workamper News. I have been working for Workamper News since November of last year doing their press releases and social media.   So because of that, we promote the workamping lifestyle and Workamper News where ever we should go.  Janice and Dave shared with us their past in workamping and what dreams they are currently striving toward.  What a great couple they are so I suggest that you follow their travels and be a part in sharing in their dreams…..  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ready-to-Go-Full-Time-RVing/140059842696916

Made it to the top of the ship for sailingWow...great ship!

Standing in line to board the ship.

February 23, 2010 Waco, TX - It was a historical day as Terry and I met with Mark Long, Publisher of TSTC Publishing where I signed the contract for the making of the Centennial RV Cookbook – Celebrating 100 Years of RVing History.

Mark and his staff at the Publishing Department have been terrific to work with. Sheila Boggess, Marketing Manager; Wes Lowe, Sales Manager; Melanie Department Secretary; Grace Arsiaga, Editor.

Another thing that added to excitement of that day was…we received 6 inches of snow in Waco that very day. Wow, I don’t ever recall receiving that much snow in Central Texas, even when I was growing up there in Rockdale (70 miles south of Waco) all those years. It was just wonderful and could not have been any better…oh wait…but it did get better!

Terry took me to lunch at Cracker Barrel. (My favorite place to eat) Sitting by the window, enjoying each other’s company and watching the snow fall. Now that was a perfect day.

By Evada Cooper ( Lady E )

Update: April 21, 2010 

The RV Centennial Cookbook – Celebrating 100 Years of RV History  was officially endorsed by the National Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA)

Cruising off the Coast of the Florida Keys

Before Spring Break, Terry surprised me with a Cruise to the Bahamas in celebration of my 50th birthday. Oh, what a wonderful treat it was. To get away and enjoy being work-free for a few days to enjoy the beautiful scenery and relaxing time on the ship.

We left on Sunday, March 7th from the Galvestion Bay and returned 7 days later. We took lots of pictures and I’m going to share some of those with you here. Before we left, I took the time to trade in my dinosaur phone of two years, to the wonderful Blackberry Tour through Verizon. With it I was able to take some amazing pictures, I know you will agree.

This was our first ‘trip away’ that Terry and I have taken since we were married December 16, 2008. We have traveled quiet a bit, however, business is usually the cause. So, there were things that I did find out about Terry Cooper that I was pleasantly surprised at. Like…. he can sleep past 5 a.m. and he can stay up past 10 p.m. We have always enjoyed dancing together… so nearly every night we were in the Piano/Blues, 60′s Bands or Disco areas. I tried my best to get him up on the Karaoke stage but NO GO… on that one. I found out, about myself, that eating a Mexican buffet at midnight does not set well on my stomach.

We had 3 stops along the duration of the cruise. The first being Key West, my favorite of all three. It was warm, the water was incredibly blue. The Island was filled with beautiful coastal homes…so much history that I was amazed to learn about. We went through a couple of Museums. Took the Conch Train Tour of the Island. (Very interesting) We saw the “Little White House”. A place where some of our past Presidents came to do their planning before Camp David was built. I was blown away by the tropical plants and flowers. Coconut and Banana Trees… all along the streets that were lined with beautifully restored homes with colored shutters and big front porches. I will never forget the beauty…

More later…. in Part II.

Evada Cooper

It’s the “Centennial RV Recipe Cookbook – Celebrating 100 Years of RVing History – (1910-2010)” by Evada Cooper

          March 22, 2010 Heber Springs, AR -  Steve Anderson, Editor of Workamper News is announcing the upcoming release of the ‘Centennial RV Recipe Cookbook -  Celebrating of 100 Years of RVing – (1910-2010)” by Evada Cooper – employee of Workamper News. The collection of RV Recipes is being submitted by members of RV Clubs & RV Organizations throughout the United States with RV Maintenance featured throughout to make this cookbook a must have for all RVers.

           “All of us at Workamper News are proud to be a part of this new cookbook that Evada is doing in honor of the Centennial Celebration of 100 years of the RVing Industry.” Anderson explains. “Evada came on board with our company last November as a Virtual Copy Writer, taking care of our social media efforts and National Press Releases. She recently has taken over as our Master Resource Provider for our Ambassador Program. Her love for RVing has made her a great fit for this company and we support her in her latest endeavor which is taking on this huge publication that is planned to go national in all bookstores and other book outlets.”

          Mrs. Cooper explains her reasons for this undertaking.  “My main goal in this project is to show our nation’s love for RVing which I relate to with a lot of good times from our past. Naturally, when the words ‘Good Times’ are used, we think of family, friends and food.” Mrs. Cooper adds. “I am excited to have this opportunity to give honor to this Centennial of our RV Industry by putting together this very unique cookbook showing our history of the RV Industry with compiling a ‘Collector’s Edition’ of recipes collected exclusively from those who know and love RVing most and that is our National RV Clubs & Organizations. 

           “This cookbook will have a special twist to it in a couple of ways. Not only am I showing our appreciation of 100 Years of the RV Industry but also to our RV Groups/Clubs throughout this nation. Each person who submits a recipe and is chosen for the cookbook will be given a special feature page about their personal RV History, as well as the Group/Club they represent at no cost to them.  We, as RVers, have a lot to be proud of.  This cookbook will give recognition to those who have made our RV Industry what it is today.  My publisher which is TSTC Publishing out of Waco, Texas has promised to send out a free cookbook to all who are selected for this publication and it is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for being a part of this cookbook. “

          Mrs. Cooper adds, “Another unique twist is: Every RV Enthusiast will want to reach for this cookbook because inside will be chalked full of RV Maintenance information given by Terry Cooper – Master Certified RV Technician /Instructor from Texas State Technical College (TSTC) of Waco, Texas.  My husband Terry is providing me with maintenance facts, tips, procedures, checklists and maintenance schedules that are so vital for the upkeep of our rigs.  Let’s face it! The initial investment we each have when purchasing our RVs is huge and the next biggest investment is keeping it in top running condition. Having this RV Maintenance information right at your finger tips, along with your favorite recipes, is a wonderful idea I know others will embrace.”

            “An important observation I have noticed while Terry & I go out doing RV Maintenance Seminars and other teaching is that nearly 60 percent of our attendees are women. They want to stay in the ‘know’ on RV Maintenance.  What a perfect tool this cookbook will be for them.  However, those men who love to cook are also the ones who will appreciate this cookbook and its technical information.” Mrs. Cooper concludes.

          Terry & Evada Cooper are the owners of Mobile RV Academy which is an online school for consumer RV Maintenance education. Recipes are being collected for this cookbook between now and April 26th.  RV Clubs/Groups having interest in being a part of the Collector’s Edition RV Centennial Cookbook  submit your recipes here    Should you have further request for details, go to: cookbook@MobileRVAcademy.com   .

           For more information about Workamping, please see the website www.Workamper.com or call the Workamper News office at (800)446-5627 during business hours of 9 a.m. to 4p.m. M-F. For over 23 years, Workamper News has been helping Great People….find Great Jobs….in Great Places!

UPDATE: On April 21, 2010 – The RVIA endorsed this cookbook at the ‘OFFICIAL’  Collector’s Edition RV Centennial Cookbook – Celebrating 100 Years of RV History.

Lady E

weather man say something about snowflakes for tomorrow. 

I love the winter.  You might think I say that only when I sit in my warm ‘brick & stick’ home ( which I am)…but I love winter camping, as well.  I have fond memories with my girls growing up as we bundled up the whole family and head to the woods here in Texas.  Don’t think it gets cold here in Big Tex?….Think again!  The only difference here is…it doesn’t stay cold for long.

Most of the years while my girls were growing up, we camped in Pop-Up trailers.  We  found it more economical if we did it that way. One of my memories was ….. back in the early 2000′s that we journeyed over to Junction, TX  where we camped while visiting family and friends.  At 17 degrees,  the only thing that saved us was the electric blankets.  One dog, one cat, two kids and two adults….  I remember how thankful I was when we went to the bathhouse there on the campground premise and found the most wonderful warm heater blowing throught the room.

Just a couple of years ago, I was living full time in my 37′ Sierra 5th wheel with my teenaged daughter.  Living down on the coast at the time was great as far as the Texas coastal weather goes.  The folks that lived there said that the winters could be harsh…. not by my thinking, especially after living through it.  However, that very winter I had  the RV moved up to east Waco on the coldest night of the season.  We arrived after dark with the temperatures falling…it bottomed out that night at 19 degrees.  Oh, it was cold! For some reason I wasn’t prepared very well.  I couldn’t remember where that electric blanket had gone.  I do remember it wasn’t long before I headed off  to Wal-Mart for a new ‘trusty’ electric blanket.  

Do I love camping in the winter..?  oh, Yes I do.  Because the sun pours out her bowl of sparkling crystals each morning as the frost forms on the ground.  The birds sing their sweet song in the cold air as they perch upon the naked limbs of the trees.  What I notice most of all … is how quiet it is in the winter when camping.  I can  hear the deer, the squirrels and the raccoons as they play beneath the trees at the forest edge.  I can hear the breath of the horses as they graze  in the next open field.  It is hard to explain how quiet it is …..when I can hear so much. 

My thoughts are….. until you have camped in the winter…. you haven’t experience winter or camping to its fullest.   Happy camping to all who journey out in the winter where ever you might be.

I am excited about what the Academy has accomplished for 2009.  As we see the year coming to an end…. Terry and I are pleased with the all the courses that have been accomplished.   We appreciate all the people who have come on board with us to learn.

Our partnership with Workamper News – the company that connects ”Great Jobs…for Great People…in Great Places” –  has been a wonderful decision for us.  Steve and Kathy Jo Anderson, owners/editors of that company, are also great people.  We  had the opportunity back in October to take a trip up to the home of Workamper News at Heber Springs, Arkansas.  Terry and I enjoyed being a part of their routine at the office.    We met the staff – Jody (the Anderson’s daughter), Bill, David and Vangi.  Seeing the headquarters of the national organization was a real treat.  One of the fun things for me was to be in North Central Arkansas in October….the colors of autumn were breath taking.  I called Heber Springs, “A little bit of Heaven”.    

That’s all for today….I will blog more soon!