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.

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

We were excited to arrive back to our winter domicile, Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort, in Webster, Florida, after traveling from April 14 to October 14...about 6 months on the road this time, approximately 4,000 miles.   Everything about our trip was interesting and rewarding but we missed our families and close friends in that period of time.   Circumstances left us too far away to get back.  It all worked out fine but sometimes you find you have to be patient and a saying I heard was "Let go and let God".

Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort
Webster, FL

 Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort
Webster, FL

Road travels in our RV - RV There Yet?

Our country is huge and traveling as well as finding decent roads requires a lot of planning.  We are always amazed that our country is even more beautiful than we ever imagined, and while we know there are a lot of unstable and evil people running around, we were grateful to be shielded from any danger and only ran into the nicest humans...interesting, awesome people we now call friends, and many we will look forward to seeing again.

Sunrise at Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort

Getting back into our routine after 6 months away is not as easy as it sounds.  We arrived about the same time many friends and "snowbirds" were returning and it was great to welcome friends and visit with our neighbors again.   Our neighborly horse, Toby" had not forgotten where to come for snacks and peppermints.

Getting ready for sunset in our backyard -
our great neighbors are Toby, the horse, and the cattle

He is one "moo-velous" cow!

For me, it was harder to organize my art supplies and new projects with all the other household items that needed to be re-organized as well.  Having our small suite is helpful but hard as I try, it is hard to have a place for everything.  

Our Suite - also called a Casita - also our Coach House

A few days after getting back to Florida Grande my first scheduled ARTitude Adjustment Painting Class was held.  We made a hand painted Christmas ornament snowman, complete with felt hat and scarf, out of a stair spindle, and it was even more fun than I imagined.  Everyone is using their handmade ornaments inside their motorhomes, in their yard near Christmas flower arrangements, etc., and they turned out adorable.

First ARTitude Adjustment Class at FGMCR
November 2018

After 6 months absence from home usually means doctors, dentist, eye doctor appointments and enjoying reunions and celebrating with your family you missed while you were traveling.  We missed grandkids' games, school trips,  and just sitting and talking about what they did that day.

We are known as "YaYa" and "PopPop"
Kenneth, Kile, Kenzie and Khloe

Khloe - our Soccer Star Granddaughter

Our family celebrating after we returned at
Lake Weir, FL

Thanksgiving Day with our Family
Lake Weir, FL

 Do you agree that even though we talk on our cell phones, exchange pictures, messages, etc., and believe we know what is happening, we still miss and treasure the close interaction with our friends and family as we travel?

THIS IS HOW WE ROLL!

Tiffin Allegro Club Rally 5 14-18/2018
Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds
Goshen, Indiana 

We planned for months to attend and be a part of the Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club Rally at the Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana, May 14 - 18, 2018.

Registration for Tiffin Allegro Club

 Before rally registration even began, we found out about an on site Saturday morning 4H pancake and sausage breakfast in one of the 4H pavilions.  After eating, we attended a huge Amish auction in 5 of the nearby pavilions (only held twice a year).  It was an amazing and entertaining auction, and we're both happy we were able to attend!

There are numerous RV manufacturers, vendors and suppliers in northern Indiana and organizing a rally of this size must have been a huge undertaking.  The rally program was filled with experts and knowledgeable speakers on everything from "black tanks" to "chassis maintenance".  In addition, nationally recognized entertainers, several ice cream socials, pet parade, bingo night, veterans night, and too many door prizes to count!

Girard Awnings

Freightliner Chassis

We arrived at the beautiful Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds on Friday, May 11.  The facilities consist of 384 acres with over 60 structures.  

Heritage Park - Part of the beautiful 384 acres at
Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds - Goshen, IN

There are over 60 structures in the Fairgrounds

We were busy from the moment we arrived until our departure on May 18.  I was honored to present several ARTitude Adjustment painting classes (It's FUN art...not FINE art!).  I'm not sure who had more fun - me or the class.  Both classes were sold out.  One class was making domino pendant necklaces using alcohol inks, and they all turned out beautiful! 

ARTitude Adjustment - Alcohol Inks
Domino Painting Class - Tiffin Allegro Club

ARTitude Adjustment - Chalk Couture Class
Tiffin Allegro Club

 The other class was to apply a Chalk Couture transfer to a Tiffin Motorhomes Owners Club coffee mug (which had to be baked in an oven after the class).  With the help of my able-bodied assistant (ABA) RV,  and our friend, Frances Fonner, President of the FMCA Tiffin Travelers Chapter, we had smooth sailing and lots of laughs.

Veteran and Patriotic Observance Night
Tiffin Allegro Club

Evening Entertainment at Tiffin Allegro Club
Goshen, IN

An RV rally is not only a time to get together with friends but an opportunity to meet new people and have LOTS of fun and eat LOTS of delicious food. 

Friends enjoying fellowship between seminars
Goshen, IN

You can triple the LOTS of food if you are in Amish country!  Our delicious meals were catered by Das Dutchman Essenhaus from nearby Middlebury, IN, and in addition, every night was excellent planned entertainment.  The day before we departed,  the award winning bakery, Rise 'n Roll Bakery, Mishawaka, IN, provided more than 100 dozen doughnuts/baked goods/, etc.  

The filled-to-capacity Goshen, IN rally was attended by 310 Tiffin Motorhomes from 37 different states and 1 Canadian Province.  At the Goshen rally, RV/MH Hall Of Fame Inductee and owner of Tiffin Motorhomes, Bob Tiffin, and his wife, Judy, numerous Tiffin employees and technicians, and many dedicated and well trained volunteers ensured attendees of the Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club had a fantastic time and enjoyed a spectacular program.

2018 Tiffin Allegro Bus - 45' OPP
Tiffin Allegro Club - Goshen, IN Rally 2018

Allegro Club President Kelly Moore and Co-President Sally Moore, along with Cynthia Skinner, Membership Coordinator of Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club Office in Red Bay, AL,  plan 3 national rallies a year (which are sold out within minutes of internet registration). The Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club has extremely successful rallies and we will look forward to attending the next one in October in Essex Junction, Vermont.