Suzanne White, June 17 04
Even after all our years of travel I still picked up several tips I had either forgotten or never knew.


Ted, new RVer June 24, 04
Your book was packed with so much incredible information - I will go back again and again to take notes.


Campground neighbours Trudy and Rod
Although we are 'old hands' at fulltiming we learn something new every time we open the book.


Chuck woodbury, editor of the informative online RV newsletter from Rvtravel.com and owner of the RV Bookstore.com aug 04
This is quite a book! There's more "meat" in this book that any other single RV "how-to" book we sell.


Judy Taylor, Jasper, ASlberta by email July 04
We will soon be fulltimers; your book was so interesting and informative, our enthusiasm jumped about 100 points.


Book Description
RV Living in the 21st Century; The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers will quickly become your best friend as you explore North America. It combines basic timeless RV information new RVers need to know, plus seasoned RVers will value the numerous hints and tips covering everything from packing to stretching dollars to driving their unit. RV Living in the 21st Century also includes a wide overview of updated changes in technologies that were not even thought of pre-9/11. Peggi McDonald freely relays both the good and not so good happenings she and her husband John experienced during two decades of fulltiming. As a Canadian snowbird that spends half the year in the U.S.A., she also readily shares her comprehensive border crossing knowledge. "What must I know before I buy my first RV?" "How can I learn to drive that new ‘BIG’ RV?" "Can I park without hook-ups?" "Where do I find campgrounds?" "How do you hook up the sewer?" "Is there a secret to packing my cupboards so contents stay where I put them?" "Can I connect to the Internet while on the move?" "Is it difficult to winterize my RV?" "How much does it cost to live on the move?" Questions, questions, questions? No problem, these are only a few of the many situations Peggi discusses, in this interesting tell-it-like-it-is publication. She covers all topics concerning the RV lifestyle including numerous options to staying in touch via voice and calling cards as well as logging onto the ‘Net from the comfort of your RV using your laptop and cell phone or WiFi or satellites. Technology is continuously changing, but Peggi helps you through the maze to ease the transformation. The pages of this comprehensive reference guide are jammed with helpful hints that simplify extending space, pet travel, everyday living and so much more. Although a portion is directed to fulltimers, a mega amount of information throughout the 296 pages of RV Living in the 21st Century will assist the new RVer, travelling in any size of RV, to quickly become comfortable in their home on wheels. It also addresses on-going concerns of the part time and seasoned RVer. Throughout the pages this avid RVer conveys many of the ‘life-lessons’ she learned the hard way so those new to this lifestyle can avoid her pit-falls. Topics listed as titles and sub-titles rather than chapter headings, plus the comprehensive Index makes it easy to quickly find answers to your questions. Personal stories of places her and John visited along with a rendition of the unique experiences of their fascinating life on the move makes this book difficult to put down. Many new RVers read it once for enjoyment and several times more to highlight specific advice. Their dog-eared copy then nestles in an accessible spot in the RV for immediate reference. Many dealers and RV salesmen stock this informative easy-to-read guide to present as a cherished gift to new buyers. They want their customers to enjoy their RV lifestyle journey to the fullest.


From the Publisher
Readers are raving at this new publication that offers an in-depth look at the camping lifestyle. RV Living in the 21st Century blends the valuable information of Peggi's best-seller Spirit of the Open Road (published in 1997) with new technology, regulations and hurdles facing RVers of the present and the future. Like her first, this book truly answers questions that ALL RVers will ask at some point during their on-the-road adventure. As a professional RV lifestyle consultant, Peggi works from her RV-based office and has endured frustrating moments when telephone and Internet access is, at best, sporadic and, at worse, non-existent. In the pages of her newest book RV Living in the 21st Century, Peggi offers solutions to Internet connection problems using the cell, satellite, WiFi and other options as well as living tips needed to enhance this super lifestyle. Anyone considering joining the millions of Canadian and Americans who enjoy the freedom of life on the move NEED a copy of this book in their unit. The creative front cover features the outstanding mural on the back of the McDonald’s motorhome - it entices the reader to open the book to learn more. An extensive list of topics and sub-titles replaces normal chapter headings - a comprehensive index adds to the ease of searching for an answer. Photos explaining RV life-lessons and a number of the McDonald’s favourite destinations add a captivating touch to this publication. The indispensable information contained within the book is a teaching tool for new RVers but it is also beneficial for established RVers and for International Caravanners who dream about visiting Canada or the U.S. This is definitely a "don’t leave home without it" must for all RVers!


From the Author
John and I left the work world as young retires from the Canadian Military – Peggi (age 44) from the Air Force and John (age 48) from the Navy – with a combined total of over 59 years of service. Since we both had been posted extensively during our careers, choosing a retirement life of travel seemed exciting and inevitable – our adequate pensions would assist with living costs. Selling the house plus many of our possessions made it easy to buy our first motorhome (even though we knew little about it). Exploring North America seemed a natural transition. As newlyweds of only four years, we felt the world was our oyster – our odyssey has now stretched to near two decades where we’ve been enjoying this outstanding lifestyle. My first book and a best-seller Spirit of the Open Road, the Essential Guide for Canadian RVers was launched eleven years after we began this adventure. Now over seven years later I share my comments in my newest ‘how-to’ guide, RV Living in the 21st Century, the Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers – this publication addresses the majority of concerns of RVers touring North American.


From the Inside Flap
(1st flap – front of book) RV Living in the 21st Century chronicles two decades of living and travelling in an RV. Written by Peggi McDonald, author of the internationally-acclaimed best-seller, Spirit of the Open Road and fulltime RVer, RV Living in the 21st Century continues where the former left off. Topics include low-cost camping, travel planning, maintenance schedules, set-up procedures, problem solvers for everyday living and cost considerations, plus much more. This book is a "must have" for ALL RVers. (2nd flap – back of book) Front cover: Taken by the author while travelling along Highway 11 from Rocky Mountain House, AB to The Crossroads; a midway stop between Banff and Jasper, AB. Peggi and her husband John say that the photo embodies the beauty and spirit of RVing. They had the photo made into a mural which now adorns the rear of their motorhome, appropriately licensed – R DREEM.


About the Author
Peggi and John were novices and as green as they come when they bought their first motorhome in 1985. Neither had ever camped previously, other than the occasional military field exercise where accommodations were large tents. When they retired from the Canadian Military there were very few books about RVing available to explain what to expect – none addressed the Canadian side of things. With luck, shortly after purchasing their first ‘Kruisin Kastle’ they parked next to Jack and Eunice, seasoned RVers from Florida. This twosome literally took the McDonald’s by the hand to explain many ins and outs. As Peggi’s writing evolved over the years, her stories were published in numerous columns for a wide selection of RV and senior’s publications, she writes as a similar helpful neighbour. In Spirit she relayed stories about their great experiences as well as those not so pleasant. Her new publication, RV Living in the 21st Century includes even more complex situations launch date – 20 May 2004. Her amusing tales of their interesting life lessons will keep you spellbound for hours and most include money-saving or safety-related alternative choices the McDonald’s learned along the way.


Excerpted from RV Living in the 21st Century: The Essential Reference Guide for All Rvers by Peggi McDonald. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
‘Bigitis’ Is A Common RV Ailment Buying your first RV is always a difficult decision: "How long should it be?" "How ‘posh’ should it be?" "Do I need one, two or three slides?" "Should it be new or pre-owned?" Oh the questions seem to go on and on. One thing for certain even when you find your perfect dream machine it seems that another a ‘little nicer’ or ‘bigger’ or ‘fancier’ ‘or this’, ‘or that’, or ‘something else’ has just surfaced on your dealer’s lot or during your visit to the last RV show. Don’t despair; this feeling is normal and, as a result, the average trade-up time is four-six years. Although John and I are finally driving what we feel is our perfect home – a diesel pusher that we emphatically say will be our last purchase but it is not always easy to stay with those convictions. Most RVers suffer from a constant ailment referred to as ‘Bigitis’. However, be aware it’s not necessary to ‘have-it-all’ on your first RV, or on each follow-up unit either. Recently, while reminiscing about the fun and experiences of our early travels, we discovered some of our most enjoyable times were during our early days with our older and smaller first RV. We could go to almost anyplace we wanted to. Our advice is to find a unit that suits your budget and fits your needs as they are now. There are two ways to buy a unit – one for the lowest price even if it doesn’t have some main options such as a generator or an awning, etc. You can add these later or you can find one that fits your budget and ask the dealer to add extras and modification from your wish list and then negotiate on the final price. Either way works well but only you can decide the route you wish to follow.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Readers are raving at this new publication that offers an in-depth look at the camping lifestyle. RV Living in the 21st Century blends the valuable information of her best seller Spirit of the Open Road (published in 1997) with new technology, regulations and hurdles facing RVers of the present and the future. Like her first, this book too truly answers questions that ALL RVers will ask at some point during their on-the-road adventure.   As a professional RV lifestyle consultant, Peggi works from her RV-based office. Dealing with the frustrations when telephone and Internet access is frequently sporadic and at times non-existent. Throughout the pages of RV Living in the 21st Century, Peggi offers solutions to Internet connection problems using the cell, satellite, WiFi and others as well as living tips needed to enhance this super lifestyle. Anyone considering joining the millions of Canadian and Americans who enjoy the freedom of life on the move NEED a copy of this book in their unit.   The creative front cover features the picturesque mural highlighting the back of the McDonald￯﾿ﾽs motorhome - it entices the reader to open the book to learn more. An extensive list of topics and sub-titles replaces normal chapter headings - a comprehensive index adds to the ease of searching for an answer.  Photos explaining RV life-lessons and a number of the McDonald￯﾿ﾽs favourite destinations add a captivating touch to this publication.   This book is such a great teaching tool, loaded with indispensable information for new RVers but it is also beneficial for established RVers and for International Caravanners who dream about visiting Canada or the U.S. This is definitely a ￯﾿ﾽmust-have￯﾿ﾽ publication. No RVer should ever leave home without it!     Authors Comments   John and I retired from the Canadian Military ￯﾿ﾽ Peggi (age 44) from the Air Force and John (age 48) from the Navy ￯﾿ﾽ with a combined total of over 59 years of service. (Although recently I was told that ￯﾿ﾽin reality I never actually stopped working￯﾿ﾽ.) During our careers we both had been posted extensively, choosing a retirement life of travel seemed exciting and inevitable ￯﾿ﾽ our pensions would assist with living costs. Selling the house plus many of our possessions freed up cash to buy our first motorhome (even though we knew little about it). Exploring Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico seemed a perfect way to enjoy the freedom of retirement. As newlyweds of only four years, we felt the world was our oyster ￯﾿ﾽ near two decades late we continue to enjoy this outstanding lifestyle - our odyssey continues.    Peggi and John were novices and as green as they come when they bought their first motorhome in 1985.  Neither had ever camped previously, other than the occasional military field exercise where accommodations were giant tents.  When they retired from the Canadian Military there were very few books about RVing available to explain what to expect ￯﾿ﾽ none addressed the Canadian side of things.  With luck, shortly after purchasing their first ￯﾿ﾽKruisin Kastle￯﾿ﾽ they parked next to Jack and Eunice, seasoned RVers from Florida.  This twosome literally took the McDonald￯﾿ﾽs by the hand to explain many ins and outs.    As Peggi￯﾿ﾽs writing evolved over the years, her stories were published in numerous columns for a wide selection of RV and senior￯﾿ﾽs publications plus on-line newsletters she writes as a similar helpful neighbour. Her expertise included a regular column on a 13-week TV series, RV Vacation Adventures, plus many radio and TV promotions.  In Spirit she relayed stories about their great experiences as well as those not so pleasant. Her new publication, RV Living in the 21st Century includes even more complex situations launch date ￯﾿ﾽ 20 May 2004. Peggi￯﾿ﾽs amusing tales of their interesting life lessons will keep you spellbound for hours and most include money-saving or safety-related alternative choices the McDonald￯﾿ﾽs learned along the way.   Her first book and a best seller Spirit of the Open Road, the Essential Guide for Canadian RVers was launched eleven years after they began their adventure. Now more than seven years later Peggi shares additional life lessons and RV Living ￯﾿ﾽHow-to￯﾿ﾽ in her newest guide, RV Living in the 21st Century, the Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers ￯﾿ﾽ this publication addresses the majority of concerns of RVers touring North America. Get your copy today.    

SYNOPSIS

RV Living in the 21st Century; The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers will quickly become your best friend as you explore North America. All the timeless information from Peggi￯﾿ﾽs first best seller, Spirit of the Open Road combined with numerous new ideas and changes in technologies that were not even thought of pre 9/11. Peggi McDonald relays their day-to-day life experiences, both good and not so good; during two decades of fulltime motorhome travels.  As a Canadian snowbird that spends half the year in the U.S.A., she also readily shares her comprehensive border crossing knowledge.   Throughout the pages this avid RVer conveys many of the ￯﾿ﾽlife-lessons￯﾿ﾽ she learned the hard way so those new to this lifestyle can avoid her pit-falls. Topics listed as titles and sub-titles rather than chapter headings, plus the comprehensive Index makes it easy to quickly find answers to your questions.   ￯﾿ﾽIs there a secret to packing my cupboards so contents stay where I put them?￯﾿ﾽ ￯﾿ﾽCan I park without hook-ups?￯﾿ﾽ  ￯﾿ﾽWhat must I know before I buy my first RV?￯﾿ﾽ ￯﾿ﾽHow can I ever learn to drive that new ￯﾿ﾽBIG￯﾿ﾽ RV?￯﾿ﾽ  ￯﾿ﾽDo I have to check into a campground every night?￯﾿ﾽ ￯﾿ﾽHow do you hook up the sewer?￯﾿ﾽ  ￯﾿ﾽCan I connect to the Internet while on the move?￯﾿ﾽ  ￯﾿ﾽIs it difficult to winterize my RV?￯﾿ﾽ ￯﾿ﾽHow much does it cost to live on the move?￯﾿ﾽ  Questions, questions, questions? No problem, these are only a few of the many situations Peggi discusses, in this interesting tell-it-like-it-is publication. She covers all topics concerning the RV lifestyle including numerous options to staying in touch via voice and calling cards as well as logging onto the ￯﾿ﾽNet from the comfort of your RV using your laptop and cell phone or WiFi or satellites. Technology is continuously changing, but Peggi helps you through the maze to ease the transformation.   The pages of this comprehensive reference guide are jammed with helpful hints that simplify driving, everyday living, packing, and so much more. Although a portion is directed to fulltimers, a mega amount of information throughout the 296 pages of RV Living in the 21st Century will assist the new RVer, travelling in any size of RV, to quickly become comfortable in their home on wheels. It also addresses on-going concerns of the part time and seasoned RVer.    Favourite places that her and John visited along with a rendition of the unique experiences of their fascinating life on the move makes this book difficult to put down.  Many new to this lifestyle read it once for enjoyment and several times more to highlight specific advice. Their dog-eared copy then nestles in an accessible spot in the RV for immediate reference. At one scavenger hunt during an RV rally over 50% of the participants brought a copy of Peggi￯﾿ﾽs first best selling ￯﾿ﾽhow-to guide￯﾿ﾽ Spirit of the Open Road to fill the requested  ￯﾿ﾽbible￯﾿ﾽ  Many dealers and RV salesmen stock this informative easy-to-read guide to present as a cherished gift to new buyers. They want their customers to enjoy their RV lifestyle journey to the fullest.

FROM THE CRITICS

Chuck Woodbury - rvtravel.com