AN ALTERNATIVE TO SNOW

Motorhome View of Travel in the United States

In 11 years of full time motorhome travel we have met hundreds of helpful people and learned so much about the motorhome lifestyle.  In addition, this lifestyle has taken us to numerous places we would never have seen had we not selected this unusual yet popular way to see our beautiful country.

Manufacturer's Rally - Goshen, IN

About 8 years ago I developed an art therapy and painting class for RVer's called "ARTitude Adjustment - It's FUN art...not FINE art", specifically aimed to entertain at RV rallies, RV manufacturer's meetings, RV conventions,  and we started seeing a positive pattern.  When ladies would sign up for a class at a rally in Georgia or Florida in the winter, it was possible and probable I would see many of them again when we held classes in the north in the summer.  And then we would become friends on social media!  Once someone comes to ARTitude Adjustment we look forward to seeing them again ..... because it's 2 hours of fun as well as getting to know each other.

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort on the
Caloosahatchee River
LaBelle, FL

A couple of years ago we were invited to present ARTitude Adjustment painting classes at a beautiful Class A motorhome resort in LaBelle, FL called RiverBend Motor Coach Resort.  That year I had pneumonia and had to cancel the scheduled classes.  This year we re-scheduled the classes and we are so glad we did!  RiverBend is a beautiful resort on the Caloosahatchee River and is a tropical oasis when you visit Florida during the winter months.

Class Project Completed by 

ARTitude Adjustment Class

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort

LaBelle, FL

Class Project
ARTitude Adjustment Class
RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

ARTitude Adjustment Class
RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

ARTitude Adjustment Class
RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

 RiverBend definitely has some of the warmest and friendliest people ever, but we also saw friends we had previously met at other classes in other locations.  My husband, Bob, assisted me in the presentation of all three classes.   Classes were full of enthusiastic people, not just ladies (a retired Presbyterian minister participated), with all levels of artistic experience.

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

RiverBend Motor Coach Resort
LaBelle, FL

Welcome to our Paradise  - Slate painted by
RiverBend Motor Coach Lot Owner

We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality extended by RiverBend Motor Coach Resort residents and have been invited to return next season.   We like to say about ARTitude Adjustment...It's FUN art...not FINE art!

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH

When we are at the Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort, where we have owned an RV lot and suite for 10 years, I have offered a monthly art class for the past 8 years that not only satisfied my creative and artistic self but also has given me many opportunities to get to know hundreds of new people and allow them to get to know each other as well.  Sometimes making new friends while you are traveling is difficult.

ARTitude Adjustment by Marty Whitney

Since beginning the classes at Florida Grande we have accepted invitations to present classes to other RV venues and named the course ARTitude Adjustment by Marty Whitney.  I've taught these classes  to motorhome manufacturer rallies, motorhome club rallies, Family Motor Coach Association International Rallies, private resorts and for private painting parties as well.   This has allowed us many opportunities to meet hundreds of new friends as we travel throughout this great country of ours.

ARTitude Adjustment by Marty Whitney

Where ARTitude Adjustment differs from other painting classes is that canvas painting is rarely offered.  We usually work with acrylics, sometimes alcohol inks, fabric paint, silk paint, etc., because RVers don't have room for canvases.  We call it "FUN art...not FINE" art!

Peace Pole Painting Class

Completed Peace Pole

Completed Peace Poles

This class made beautiful hand painted Peace Poles in a recent ARTitude Adjustment class using wood 4 x 4's (4' long).  The Peace Pole Peace Movement was developed in Japan in 1955 and since that time has been placed in over 200 countries.  The phrase "May Peace Prevail On Earth" is used on the poles and reminds us to pray for world peace wherever we are.

Our class made their own designs and finished them by putting a solar light on the top and then planted them in their yard or gardens.  A piece of rebar was installed in the bottom to assure the poles are stable and do not blow/lean over.  The poles were then finished with a coat of protectant to block the heat and sun.  They look awesome as you drive throughout the community!

After 65 years, the message of the Peace Pole Movement is more important then ever, and we hope it continues to spread:

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!

 A Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer 
May PeA Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer 

May Peace Prevail on Earth
on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages.
There are tens of thousands of
Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.

ace Prevail on Earth
on each of its four or six sides, usually in different languages.
There are tens of thousands of
Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.

INTANGIBLE SOUVENIRS

The year 2018 ended on a positive note and we now reflect on our memories of approximately 4,000 miles traveled throughout the southeast and northeast part of the United States and Canada, from April through October.  Diesel prices were a little pricy in places like New York and Vermont - the highest we paid was $3.68 for diesel.  You know what that means to an RVer....we stay longer and enjoy the areas we travel even more.

Tiffin Motorhomes - Red Bay, AL

Bruce Deaton's Paint Shop - Red Bay, AL

New Stovetop - Installed by Brannon Hutcheson

We always start with a trip to our motorhome's birthplace, Red Bay, AL., aka Tiffin Motorhomes, and upon completion of our appointments we headed in a northeasterly direction.  By the time we leave we have addressed any issues or problems.   For us our time passes very fast while we are in Red Bay since we feel comfortable visiting all the little towns within a 50 miles radius. 

 Cities in Alabama like Russellville, Florence, Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, and then Tupelo, MS are usually on our list of places to shop or eat at local restaurants we've visited in the last 10 years.

We had a schedule and had several RV manufacturer rallies as well as the 97th International Family Motor Coach Assn. Rally at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA, where we would teach several painting classes called ARTitude Adjustment by Marty Whitney.  

Georgia State Fairgrounds - Perry, GA

Georgia State Fairgrounds - Perry, GA - Home of Annual
International Family Motor Coach Association

In June we met and traveled for 4 months with our friends, Clay and Frances Croom and Clay's 86 year young mother, Lynette Croom.  Oh, and I better not forget their Puggle, Sadie.  This worked out well for us and how could we forget the fabulous side trips and awesome meals prepared in 3 different Instant Pots and a Blackstone Griddle?!   There was always something delicious to eat.

A highlight in RV travel is visiting places you had heard about all your life.  The huge Cummins camping facility (345 acres) in Columbus, IN (Ceraland), which is an acronym that stands for "Cummins Employees Recreational Association", and was established in 1963.

Cummins Ceraland Park and Campground - Columbus, IN

Ceraland Campground - Columbus, IN

Elkhart, Indiana - State Fairgrounds and Campgrounds

Elkhart, IN - Tiffin Allegro Club Rally

We had a very exciting and successful Tiffin Allegro Club Rally at the State Fairgrounds in Elkhart, IN with 3 different ARTitude Adjustment classes by Marty Whitney.  We met our friends in Shipshewana, IN - always an interesting place to visit and eat wonderful food.  Do you see a pattern?

The agricultural ways of the Amish in Shipshewana have never changed.

Visit to RV/MH Hall of Fame

Old historical Amish Octagonal Dairy Barn in Shipshewana

Shipshewana IN natural unspoiled farmland beauty

 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, OH

Niagara Falls,

Looking from Canadian Side of Niagara Falls - Ontario

View of Niagara River

The Anchor Bar (Home of the original Buffalo chicken wings in Buffalo, NY, 

The Anchor Bar - Home of the original Buffalo Chicken Wings

Order of chicken wings at The Anchor Bar

The Finger Lakes (all of them), 

the New York State Fair, 

Stowe, VT, 

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory.

We were in the Burlington, Vermont area to attend a Tiffin Allegro Club Rally at the Exposition Center in Essex Junction, VT -  always a wonderful experience and opportunity to meet RVers from all over the USA as well as teach three more ARTitude Adjustment classes.

Essex Junction - Champlain Valley Expo Center
Site of Tiffin Allegro Club - Burlington, VT

2018 Tiffin Allegro Club - Over 300 Tiffin Coaches in Essex Junction, VT

2018 Tiffin Allegro Club Rally - Essex Junction, VT

 Our heads swim with the details of every one of those small, beautiful and meaningful towns, villages and mega cities, and all the friends we made along the way. 

Our back yard in Webster, FL - our Winter base

Finally Home! - Florida Grande Motorcoach Resort
Webster, FL

 This was an exciting journey and although it was most enjoyable, we were happy and blessed when the time came and we were on the way home to get ready for our next adventure.