Raindrops on Roses, Whiskers on Kittens,

THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS...

A while back someone posted to the rec.outdoors.rv-travel newsgroup asking for gift recommendations for RVers.  That got us to thinking about our favorite RV things; not the ones that came with the TT, but the little things we bought later.  So here's our list of favorite things:

• Canadian Cozies - These fleece bed sheets are the just fantastic.  Steph bought them at an RV show a while back and we love these things.  They are warm in the winter and cool and dry in the summer.  We liked them in the TT so much we bought a second set for the house.  I haven't seen them on the internet, but they show up in RV shows.  $80 for Queen set.  The company phone number is 877-525-0144.

• Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer - Ours came from Radio Shack.  We got the one with a large display.  I ran the wire for the outdoor sensor through a drip drain at the bottom of our TT's front window and mounted the sensor under the front window awning.  They make wireless ones now which would save you that effort.  Ours in mounted on the wall in the kitchen where we can see it before we go out the door in the morning.  It tells me which coat to put on before walking Tessie and also records high and low temperatures.  $15-$50.

• Poly Mat for outside - The RV catalogs will sell you a heavy astroturf carpet to put outside under your awning for $100 or so.  We found a poly mat that dog breeders use at dog shows.  It's called an exercise pen ground cover.  It weighs virtually nothing and water and dirt pass right through it.  Helps keeps dirt etc., out of the TT.  Keeps Tessie cleaner, too.  9x9' for $25.  Available at www.cherrybrook.com

• Compact Folding Dish Rack - Little box unfolds into a dish drainer to dry dishes and silverware after washing.  Small and compact.  $10.  Available at www.camperschoice.com

• Lynx Levelers - These plastic blocks stack up like Legos.  Drive your RV onto them for leveling.  Also work under jacks and levelers.  They are lightweight and come in a carrying bag.  $35.  www.campingworld.com

• Chock & Lock - Between-the-tires wheel chock.  One lever operation.  $54.  www.camperschoice.com

• Weather Radio with Alert - Sounds an alarm when the Weather Service issues weather alerts.  They make them with something called SAME which only alerts for specific counties.  This cuts down on false alarms for areas outside your county but you need to know the code for the county you are in.  If you are travelling a lot, this might be a disadvantage for you.  We chose one without it.  Very nice to have.  Lets you know when bad weather is headed your way so you can roll up your awning, etc.  Ours came from Radio Shack.  Look for one with battery backup.

• Computer Mapping Software - Plan your trips in detail.  Street Atlas 9.  $45.  www.delorme.com

• GPS unit - Used with mapping software.  Lets you find your exact location and map from there to anywhere you want.  Tells you when and where to turn next.  Helps you pinpoint your location in an emergency, too.  www.garmin.com

• FRS Radios - These little walkie-talkies let your spouse back you into a campsite without hollering and waving arms.  Also useful for communicating around the campground or between vehicles.  Better than CB.  Available everywhere.  

• CB Radio - Still has its uses, especially in traffic.  We got one from Radio Shack that has the weather channels and weather alert built in.  Like the weather radio in our TT, it alerts us to bad weather whenever we have the CB on.  We keep our CB on Channel 13 and have a sign on the back of our TT to that effect so other motorists can call us.  Might be useful if something happens to our TT while we're driving.

• Wal-Mart folding Bag Chairs - Some people hate 'em, we love 'em.  We have both the recliners and the straight back ones.  They take up very little storage space and are easy to carry around.

• MaxxAir Turbo/Maxx Fan - A great thing.  Use as an exhaust fan to exhaust hot air and draw cool air into your RV.  Has a thermostat control to activate automatically at a preset temperature.  Variable speed.  Low current draw.  Essential for dry camping in hot climates.  Installs fairly easily over existing roof vent.  $200.  www.camperschoice.com

• Spice Rack - A 2-level plastic Lazy Susan spice rack with lots of spices in half-size containers.  Steph got this at a BJs Membership Warehouse.  Perfect size and selection for gourmet campground cooking.  $12.

• Laundry Hamper - Collapsible mesh hamper can carry clothes to the washing machines or folds up when not in use.  $10.  www.campingworld.com

Your mileage may vary...

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