Several weeks ago, my sister, Lorri, and I traveled to West Virginia to visit our grandmother who was in the hospital.  We left on a Thursday morning, arriving around 7:00 p.m. that night.  Lorri and I agreed to spend the night in Grandmother's room so our Aunt Becky could go home and sleep in her own bed.
 

If you're looking for detailed information about comparing RV models for the

purpose of purchasing one, there are sites such as RoadTrek

(http://www.roadtrek.com) where you can find out detailed specs of various makes

and models of recreational vehicles, as well as performance statistics and what

other users and owners have to say about their experience with the vehicles

available.

If you're open to trading and open market auctions for your next recreational

vehicle purchase, rather than going through recreational vehicle dealers, perhaps

you would find the best deal for you and your particular situation by using a

service such as http://www.rvtraderonline.com.  (click on Read More for the rest of article)

From The International Llama Registry


Welcome to the fascinating world of llamas!
If you have recently purchased or are thinking of
acquiring your first llama, you are joining a rapidly
growing group of llama enthusiasts around the world.
Llamas are delightful animals with a unique history.
Though they share a number of characteristics with
more familiar livestock, they have some very special
attributes. This review of the important facts about
llamas will acquaint you with your new family member.

HERITAGE
Llamas are members of the camel (camelid) family. In
addition to the well-known, one-humped Dromedary
camel of the Middle East and the two-humped Bactrian
camel of Asia, there are four native members of the
camel family in the Americas today: the llama, a
domesticated beast of burden regarded throughout the
world as the premier symbol of South American
animals; the domesticated alpaca, selectively bred for
its fine, multi-hued wool; the free-ranging guanaco,
probable progenitor of the llama and historically
common herbivore of the arid lands of South America;
and the wild vicuña, fine-fleeced denizen of the central
high Andean mountains. (Click on Read More below for the whole story)

Although it might seem strange, llamas actually make great pets. They have sweet,
gentle personalities and are usually very affectionate with their owners. You can

even train them to do certain things!
Llamas originated from the plains of North America. They have been around for

about 40 million years! They are now found in South America though because they

migrated there 3 million years ago. Llamas started to be domesticated about 5,000

years ago by Andean tribes. They are actually one of the oldest domesticated

animals around today! They started being kept in the United States in the 1800’s.

The llama is a very strong animal. They can carry 25 to 30 percent of their own

body weight for up to eight miles! They measure up to six feet tall and weigh up to

450 pounds. They also come in uncountable numbers of colors and their hair has

different fiber textures.  (Click on Read More below for the whole story)

Our four kids, ages 2 to 10, loved the idea of a motorhome trip, but my husband, TJ, and I were prepared to hate it. For wilderness lovers like us, the idea of camping in a gas-guzzling recreational vehicle--complete with microwave and VCR--held little appeal.

What we found, on a five-day trip through the Colorado Rockies, was that traveling by RV is a great way for our family to explore the scenic towns and backroads of our home state. Motoring through the spectacular high country of Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs, Leadville, and Breckenridge, we always had our home base with us. In between hikes and bike rides, the kids could make a pit stop, grab a snack, or take a nap. It was like car camping with indoor plumbing and a coffeemaker.

What the kids loved: Inviting their friends over to tour the Winnebago Minnie the night before we left. Unrolling the RV's shade awning. Climbing the ladder to the roof. Pushing the button to operate the slideout, expanding walls that zoom out to double the living space. And zooming it in again ... and out again ...
(click on Read More below for rest of story)   

Camping for most people means a tent and sleeping on a mat on the ground. If

that doesn't really appeal to you, then camping in an RV is what you need. It is

the ultimate camping adventure.

RV's come in many sizes and shapes. They start with campers that fit in the

back of a pickup truck. These can have full kitchens, beds, a shower and toilet

in them.

Next there are van conversions called Class B motorhomes that are basically

a cargo van converted into a camping vehicle. These can have a raised roof

for more head room. They also contain the same amenities as the truck

camper.

Next up is the Class C motorhome. The front end looks like a pickup truck, but

the similarity ends there. There is a sleeper extension over the cab and the

back end looks like any motorhome you are probably familiar with. Basically a

cargo box with windows, but much prettier. The Class C has all the amenities

of home. A kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room. You could live in a

Class C.

Motor homes usually have a driver, a passenger, maybe a few kids and at least one dog. It's a prerequisite that to own a motor home you need at least one dog. Don't be surprised when you see RV dealers matching a breed to a particular model in the future.

Taking a RV trip with your pooch should and will be pleasant if you:

1.  Keep your dog safe; put his leash on before you open the door. Dogs are excited as soon as their home on the road stops and they want out! But not every place you stop will be safe; on coming traffic, glass on the side of the road, and other dogs near by could cause your dog to run on to the road.

Versatile Animals that Can Make Good Companions

Granted, many people would not consider llamas as pets in the traditional sense. Strictly speaking, they would more likely be considered livestock, but they are friendly, social, calm and easily trained. Let's not forget how beautiful they are - they are dignified and agile, and have beautiful deep brown eyes and long eyelashes. Many times llama ownership arises from a case of "love at first sight." Of course, they are not for everyone, and given their size and needs are only appropriate for those with enough room to house them, and they should not be kept singly.

Characteristics

Llamas are social animals. If properly socialized they can make a very calm, gentle companion. They have a reputation for spitting, but this is more typical between llamas and usually not directed at people (unless poorly socialized).
They make a variety of sounds, some of which can be downloaded from the Llamapaedia site for the curious. Life span estimates range from 15-30 years. They are not small animals, weighing in at 250-450 lb., and being anywhere from 5' to 6"5' tall (36" to 47" at the shoulder).

We arrived at the Barren River Lake State Campground Thursday afternoon after traveling from La Vergne, TN where we had camped at Poole Knobs Campground visiting with our daughters and sons-in-law for six days. Some of our friends and cousins were already there, we would have been earlier if not for a tire blow out on the motor home just before we hit the KY line. We got our camp set up and had all day Friday to visit with friends and family. We all got together for supper in our portable 12 X 20 screen room, and what wonderful food the ladies had prepared. We had two new members join us, they fit right in with the rest of us fun loving people and were a pleasure to be around. One came all the way from Colorado on his motorcycle!

Mom asked me to write about our latest camping trip. She wanted to know what my "feelings" were. I could sum it up in a few colorful words but I shall try to leave those kinds of words to your imagination instead.

It was a beautiful morning. . . Don’t they all start out that way? Everything’s packed: the motor home, the truck, and the pontoon boat. We’re only going about 130 miles down the road, a three-hour trip at the most. We leave at 10:00 a.m. on Friday before Memorial Day. We will have to pass through the city of Nashville. We’ve left ourselves plenty of time to beat the rush-hour, pre-holiday traffic jam. We’re going to get there in plenty of time to make camp, visit with my sister and her husband, who are meeting us there, string up the new awning lights, and take the dogs for a long walk. We are traveling with my parents.