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Equine Experiences

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Shenandoah and Cinnamon were the first and only horses I had met and grown to know personally. The corral fence that bordered my neighbor Suzy’s campsite was a regular visit in the course of my warm summer days on the pond. Her family rented their vacation cottage and lived in a travel trailer several feet away from the horse corral which housed this pair of gorgeous show horses. Not a bad way to help pay for a small summer home while enjoying the shade of the tall pines and warm breezes of Shady Valley.

As I recall, we’d stroke their shiny coats and on occasion feed them carrots or apples. Shenandoah was a prize-winning Appaloosa who was the pride of the valley. I don’t think we missed a single showing. Mary-Ann would train throughout the week to get her ready for the fair, the Rocky Hill State Fair in East Greenwich being my favorite. She and her sister Nancy would give us the run of the barn. We’d help stack the hay and after would each find a comfortable spot on the neatly stacked bales and socialize, laugh and share stories of what we hoped our futures would bring.

Life was simple back then. We all had the run of the valley, no scheduled play dates back then. As long as we came home when my mom rang her cowbell, we were fine. Sometimes we’d be gone all day getting by on whatever we could find to stave off our hunger. We may help ourselves to an ear of cattle corn from a nearby farm, pick some blueberries across the way, or help ourselves to a stalk of Rhubarb from Dell St. Jean’s Garden. Every so often I’d pay Dell back with a five-gallon bucket of bullhead I’d catch in the channel across the pond. He’d say, “good eating” as he grabbed hold of the wildly fresh overly excited catfish splashing around in the pail.

The small red barn and white corral fence nearby our camp were something I wouldn’t had experienced back home on the blocks of our scorching hot suburban neighborhood. My neighbor Vinny once told me “It was coffee money back then” when reflecting on how he and my parents found our little piece of Heaven on Johnson’s Pond. I don’t think we watched television all summer. With the exception of the occasional trip to the Drive-In movies, I don’t remember any screen time. Summers on the pond were all about interacting with our summertime family of friends in the great outdoors.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash (CEO & Founder at My RV Guy Franchising LLC)

Coming-of-Age

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Recently I’ve been reflecting on a few things which have not come to mind in some time. I think it has something to do with the relationships we had with the kids we spent so much time with on the pond. There was something special about those times alone with our summertime family of friends. Absent of supervision we learned how to live, work and play together. We developed social skills and learned how to cope with adversity, enjoy comradery and solve problems amongst ourselves.

I remember taking off early in the morning and exploring our surroundings, there were small hidden ponds, large cornfields, and trails which seemed to go on forever. We bicycled to St. Germain’s to buy snacks, drinks or a slice of pizza. We let our parents know we were going, but they didn’t do anything to hold us back. I guess it was similar to the film “Stand by Me”. Our friends were our coming-of-age group. Laughing, learning and supporting one another through the unplanned course of our days. The occasional squabble would ensue, but when it did, we worked through it, and within minutes or by the next day it was forgotten.

Summertime crushes as we hung out together in tree forts, at the main lake beach or gathered around a hammock by the waters edge watching the darkest sky filled with the brightest display of shooting stars are all wonderful memories. Although nothing that vagally resembled a relationship developed, there was something gained through acceptance or rejection even in the most childish way. In the end we learned to brush off dismissal or appreciate adoration.

Today’s modern-day electronics, fear mongering opinion news channels and addictive smart phones have robbed today’s children of these experiences and has left them lacking in the confidence that comes from the natural development of social skills. It was not always easy, sometimes feelings got hurt, but it was real and valuable.

This is why camping in its purest form is so important. It’s not about what you are traveling in, it’s really about how you travel and how you and your children spend the time when you are there. Get their focus back on nature, show them how to gather kindling for the campfire and allow them to spend time with their peers in a less restrictive way. Most of all, get them out of their screens and into interacting with their peers in a fun and productive way. The lessons they learn today will help them to achieve greater things tomorrow.

Happy camping,

Ron Ash (CEO & Founder at My RV Guy Franchising LLC)

My RV Guy Blog

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

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SPRING IS A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Hello Campers,

Life is a series of constant changes which work together to move us forward in every area of our lives. Good and bad experiences give us the tools we’ll need to conquer the next level in what some refer to as the game of life.

Millennials get a bad rap in regards to their approach to life, especially from Boomers and the Gen-Xers, but in many ways, they have the right idea. Life is all about living! What we experience today will bring us to where we need to be tomorrow. It may have just taken us a little longer to figure out what they already understand. Time is our most precious commodity, so spend it wisely.

I learned this decades ago through my mom’s unexpected illness. It doesn’t really matter what you die with. It’s who you live with. Sure, there is a certain amount of planning involved, but all plans are tentative and any illusion of control is exactly that; illusion. The memories we make are all we’ll really keep. It’s what we remember about special times together and what those special people in our lives will remember about us when we are gone.

This is what I want to share with you all today. Don’t get caught up in worrying about what may or may not be tomorrow. The past is gone, the future is not here yet, all we really have is right now. That’s where God lives. So, my wish for you all is to take time with your family and friends, and experience the joy of each day as you relish in every moment right now. Get intentional about creating more memorable memories. In the end, that’s all that counts. Everything else shall pass, but what we instill in the hearts and minds of those we care about will live on forever.

Happy camping,

Ron Ash (CEO & Founder at My RV Guy Franchising LLC)

TECH TALK

Failure to winterize your RV could cause the water in the lines and the pipes to freeze. Once the water freezes, it will expand and crack your pipes, which can be costly and time-consuming to repair. Most RV enthusiasts know how important it is to properly winterize, but few place a value on proper de-winterization procedures. Decontaminating your water system is one of the most crucial steps of RV spring preparation. When you are on the road, you rely on a clean source of water for cooking, drinking, washing dishes and showering.

Standing drinking water has serious health implications. Bacteria growth is ongoing in stagnant water, with possible serious consequences such as Legionnaires’ disease. We add antifreeze to our water systems to treat water that did not drain. This does not stop the bacteria from contaminating your water system. Bacteria thrives in untreated water. So, RVers are at a higher risk than the rest of the population when it comes to Legionella infections.

De-winterizing involves much more than flushing out the old antifreeze. It is a process of sanitizing the system and protecting your investment, and making sure your water-heater, HVAC, appliances and propane system are in working order. It’s also an opportunity to have your seals checked. Most RVers don’t realize that manufactures recommend inspecting seals every ninety days and making repairs when necessary. Your RV service technician will usually conduct this system check as part of your De-winterization aka Spring Opening to make sure you and your family are ready to Go RVing.

MY RV GUY FRANCHISE PARTNERS

My RV Guy is an owner-operated business that takes pride in being able to provide its customers with a high-quality, honest, and valuable service at competitive prices. Our success is based on a customer-first approach, which will carry forward in our franchise program. Our ideal candidate will also be professional, outgoing, and mechanically inclined.

TRAINING AND SUPPORT

We’ll Help You Take The Road Less Traveled.

The owner/operator franchise model involves significant investment of time and lifestyle, which is why we aim to empower motivated franchisees to become profitable entrepreneurs. As a My RV Guy franchisee, we’ll provide every possible tool to help you achieve your business goals.

Comprehensive Training

We designed our dual-phase initial training program to answer all your questions. Our goal is to give our franchise partners a strong foundation for operational success.

Support

  • Operational – My RV Guy will provide ongoing training and support in many areas, including technology and software training, product ordering, customer-service techniques, accounting and administration.
  • Marketing– We’ll utilize our extensive marketing expertise to coordinate the development of advertising materials and SEO/SEM strategies to help franchisees leverage our established brand.
  • Ongoing Research & Development – My RV Guy leadership will continue to research methods and techniques for franchise operations that enhance unit-level profitability.

Day Trippers

Camping, Fishing, Nature, outdoors, Rhode Island, Rv, Uncategorized

Hello Campers,

Today I was thinking of the day trips we’d take with our fellow campers. Those special journeys to area shorelines like Point Judith, Charlestown and Galilee. We’d pack up some gear, fill our coolers, strap the canoes to the station wagons and head out to explore. I guess this stroll down memory lane came about when I remembered an old cassette tape one of my summertime neighbors gave me decades ago. I may put together a little slideshow with those campfire songs playing in the background. With that thought, so many wonderful memories came to mind. Sunny days at Point Judith snorkeling with friends, fishing off the rocks for Flounder or building sandcastles on the beach. I even recalled the day I found my first Pole Spear in a couple feet of water just off the sandy shore. Quahogging in the shallow waters of Bluff Hill Cove in Galilee without a clam rake came to mind. We used our feet back then and had the cuts to prove it. We’d do the same at the Charlstown Breachway with canoes by our side. I still remember the day I saw my first Horseshoe crab. Mom let me know to always keep a safe distance of course. Most of us would fall asleep during the ride home, but once we got back we’d all run off the dock and jump right into Johnson’s Pond. Our folks would prepare the catches of the day while we enjoyed ourselves in the water. When the cowbell rang we knew it was time for a smorgasbord of seafood to be enjoyed with our campground family of friends. Someday I’ll put that slideshow together, but for now, I’ll just relish in my reflections of yesterday.

The memories we make today are the treasures we’ll hold dear tomorrow.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka MY RV GUY

www.myrvguyfranchise.com

Extended Season Camping

Boating, Camping, Fishing, Nature, outdoors, Rv, Uncategorized

Hello Campers,

Fall and Winter camping isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a camping enthusiast with the proper equipment you may want to give it a try.  My first winter camping experience was just over thirty years ago.  The ground was hard, and the trails were icy, but my friends and I still managed to have an amazing time.  We didn’t have access to the state-of-the-art equipment available today.  In fact, we camped in tents without floors and our beds consisted of fallen leaves and a heavy tarp for ground cover.  A good sleeping bag, wool socks and layers of insulated clothing were necessities of survival.  Most importantly, we all made sure we kept the campfire burning.

I still have vivid memories of one of the new guys as he carried two cast iron Dutch ovens up the icy trails behind us.  The occasional bang and rolling clatter were enough to assure us he was still there.  Our backpacks were filled with all we would need to enjoy a cold winter weekend away with friends.  We’d clear our site, set the tents and hunker down for the weekend to enjoy the peacefulness of nature and the comradery of our camping family of friends.

Today modern recreational vehicles have expanded our camping seasons and allowed for a comfortable retreat from cold winter winds.  Polar packages with ducted heated underbellies, heavy insulation and even fireplaces have become common place.  If you love camping and have the equipment it’s time to find a few year-round campgrounds to enjoy.  Some members of my Camp New England Facebook group have recommended Aces High RV Park (CT), Peppermint Park Camping Resort (MA), Green Mountain Family Campground (VT) and Ammonoosuc Campground (NH).  Let me know about your favorite year-round spots as well as your own camping experiences.  I’d love to hear from you.

Remember, we are only limited by what we think is impossible.

Happy Camping!

Ron Ash aka MY RV GUY

What The Bleep Is Dealer RV Prep?

Boating, Camping, Fishing, Nature, outdoors, Rv, Uncategorized

Hello Campers!

Years ago a friend told me a story about their family tradition of cutting off the corner of their holiday ham. This tradition spanned generations.  One day a child asked, “Why do we always cut the corner off the ham before we put it in the oven?”  Grandpa had no answer, so they decided to ask Grandma.  She sat the child down by her side and said, “You see, when I was little my mom cut the corner off the ham because our oven was too small.”  Imagine, for decades they followed tradition without knowing why.

I’ve spoken with hundreds of RV shoppers during my time at Flagg RV.  With every visit I told my customers Flagg RV has no hidden charges and I rattle off what our already low price includes, but I never thought to explain what dealer RV prep is. It just became tradition.  That was until a customer explained how the underbelly of their trailer was flooded on their first adventure because of a leak in their plumbing.  For some reason their RV prep and cleaning wasn’t completed and their RV was ruined. That’s when I realized the reason behind our tradition.

Dealer RV Prep is probably the most important service a dealership completes on a customer’s RV.  You see, when an RV leaves the factory it is hitched up to a truck and driven to the dealer hundreds of miles away.  The factory counts on the dealer to do a thorough systems check to make sure every customer takes delivery of a safe and reliable RV.  Gas lines and plumbing are checked for leaks, appliances are tested and electrical systems are inspected.  Proper dealer RV prep can take many hours if no problem exists, but if there is an issue with any major component it could take weeks.  The RV factories and RV wholesalers are not responsible to conduct these types of systems tests.  It’s up to the buyer to do so at their own expense.  This often amounts to thousands of dollars above the cost of the RV if they didn’t purchase from a reputable local dealership.  So, if you decide to purchase from a wholesaler or private party, make sure you schedule a pre purchase inspection. The health of your family and your RV will depend on it.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy

How Goes The Revolution

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Hello Campers,

How goes the revolution? In a previous blog More Memorable Memories I mentioned how gathering together with family and friends fosters memories that keep. I suggested a “New Year’s Revolution” instead of the traditional resolution. It looks like many are already onboard. With every generation, Americans are moving away from spending on possessions in favor of life experiences. I’d like to think it was something I said. Imagine, 8 in 10 Millennials crave more real world experiences and are putting their money into satisfying their experimental appetite. My “Gen X” group isn’t far behind. Many are selling their homes in favor of simplified lifestyles and expanding experiences via the RV lifestyle. Freedom, excitement, interaction and growth are the driving forces behind this massive shift in the American dream. They’re seeing the sights and enjoying campgrounds with a plethora of events and activities for every palate. So, if you’re sitting around the house having checked your explorer’s spirit at the door, it may be time to start living intentionally. Your next greatest experience may only be a few miles away.

Remember, the things we experience today contribute to how we’ll see ourselves tomorrow.

Happy camping,

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy