I was browsing through an RV magazine the other day and saw some interesting new trends for this year’s RV world.  If you are heading to the Manitoba RV Show next weekend you may be able to see some things up close and personal.

First up is the Reese Revolution fifth wheel hitch. This seems to solve a couple common problems: breaking the back window of your truck and running into the hitch while at the campsite. The hitch on the trailer rotates up to 90 degrees so that you are able to turn sharply while backing up. Then once the truck is unhooked the hitch rotates to fold out of the way. http://www.goevergreenrv.com/page/107/Reese-Revolution-5th-Wheel-Hitch 

One of last year’shot  trends was the outdoor kitchen which appears to still be going strong this year. The Forest River R-Pod has kicked it up a notch. (Note the TV)

Unfortunately I couldn’t find a picture to post and there is not even anything on their website but Monaco is making a motorhome with a slideout in a slideout. ?? There was a picture in the magazine so it appears to be for real. But considering their website lists the starting price of their Diplomat model at $3o4,350 it should probably have lots of bells and whistles.

I am always a litte amazed that Airstreams are still so popular and really have not changed much in the last few decades. They even have an Eddie Bauer model http://www.airstream.com/products/travel-trailers/eddie-bauer-airstream.html . I think that this is the type of camper that you either love it or you hate it. If you are looking for unique this is definately the way to go.

How about this one.. http://www.openrangerv.com/whats-new.aspx. You can bring your own deck to the campground.

Another trend that I hear will soon become standard is a remote control to operate the slideouts and jacks. The theory is that you can stand outside and watch as the slide goes out to make sure that there is enough clearance etc. Sounds like a great idea to me and we all know how much men like to play with their remotes. lol

I can’t believe some of the options that are available in campers nowadays – dishwashers, big screen tv’s and even central vac. I am looking forward to touring the RV’s at the convention centre. Of course I have absolutely no intention of actually buying, but it is always fun to look. Now keep in mind that I am not endorsing anything here, but just suggesting that there might be something interesting to look into further.

If you are coming to the RV Show on Saturday, feel free to stop by and say Hi. We will be on the 3rd floor in the Interlake Tourism  and Manitoba Association of Campgrounds and Parks booths.

If you have been watching the news in the last few months I’m sure you have heard all the warnings about travelling to Mexico.  We have recently returned from Mexico ourselves and I thought that I would share our experience.  First, have a look at what they did to our truck. 

Well, I never said it was a bad experience. We actually had all good experiences down there  and let me tell you the weather there is a lot nicer than here right now. This  year we were lucky enough to literally stumble upon a very talented airbrush painter named Antonio. We were driving into town and he pulled out of a campground in front of us. We took one look at the pictures on his truck and knew that we had to talk to him.

We showed him our logo on our brochure and asked if he could put it on our truck. Then we asked him how much and were blown away when he said only $100 per duck. (gotta love Mexico)  He came the next day and we got to sit and watch the truck be transformed into a  work of art. We can’t say enough about his talent and what an amazing job he did. We never dreamed it would turn out as good as it did.  These pictures just don’t do it justice, you really do have to see it in person.

On some weekends in the summer our truck is used by a local drag racer to travel to the Speedway in Gimli so we thought it would be good to somehow get a picture of his car on the truck as well. We had Dean email some pictures which we forwarded to Antonio and he was able to create this on the tailgate.

You can’t miss our truck coming down the highway now and it is really easy to find in a parking lot.

These are a few shots of the airbrush process.

Mexico is not really as scary as it is made out to be by the media. Yes, I admit that there are some parts of the country that I would not really want to venture into, but keep in mind that it is a big area. That would be like someone saying that they weren’t going to come to Warren because there is violence in Toronto. The town that we go to is located South of Phoenix, about a one hour drive into Mexico. The town is called Rocky Point or Puerto Penasco.  We have been here a couple times and have always had a relaxing vacation. I won’t go off topic into too much detail but if you are interesting in learning more about the area and about travelling in Mexico just feel free to ask. We will gladly share our experiences and answer any questions.

Quite often during the busy summer months I get asked when we get to relax and take a break. These pictures answer some of that question. We take a couple weeks in the winter fly south like the ducks where we can enjoy some camping ourselves.

And we now have a new place to find some.  GoDeals.ca is a website that was launched last week where you can find some deals on all sorts of things in and around Winnipeg. We are currently trying it out with a couple coupons already posted online. I will be adding some more as we get closer to the camping swing of things.  Being a coupon seeker  myself I  will be bookmarking the site so that I can see what kind of new deals are coming up.  With the website just having been launched at the beginning of the month, the coupon offerings are still growing quickly.

PS. Only 63 more days till camping season.

Today is the start of getting back to normal after the holidays. Most people are now back to work and finished the days off for Christmas and New Year’s. On Thursday it will be completely back to normal when the kids get back on the school bus. Although it has been an enjoyable holiday it will be nice to get back into the routine of normal life again. I’m sure there are a few people out there that would agree. It has been an odd couple weeks with some places open normal hours and some places closed extra days because Christmas fell on a weekend this year.

As you look out the window and see the snow covered ground then step out into the bitter cold you may not be thinking about camping, but we are. This is actually the time of year when most of our advertising is set up for next summer. Since the end of February usually brings on the start of the Boat Show and RV Show  season most tourism guides are being printed in January. This ‘show season’ is when most brochures and guides are handed out. That means our ads have to be placed and designed right now.  I am also redesigning some new RDR brochures. As we have grown and changed over the last few years I am finding that it is time for an update to reflect where we are at now.

We have also been planning what is going to be new for 2011 and what is going to be upgraded. We are still working on finalizing some details and I will be sharing  details as they happen.  The first thing to be completed is some new cars for our kiddie train. The most important changes are that they are now adult friendly and will have padded seats. I can hardly wait until it is time for a test drive. After years of watching the train go past full of smiling faces it is now my turn for a ride.

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right. – Oprah Winfrey

Just a few more days and it will be time to shove 2010 out the door and welcome in 2011. Have you made your party plans yet? How about your resolutions? Do you stick with the traditional quit smoking, lose weight, save money? I personally don’t do resolutions. Why kid myself I ain’t gonna stick to them anyway.

There are always a few options for New Year’s parties depending on what you are looking for. Here at the Duck we are sticking with the tried and true Family New Year’s  (click for details) – Come as you are, sit down and stay a while, relax with your friends, enjoy the evening at a casual gettogether. If you are looking for something a little more intense a social may fit the bill. McRae Motorsports is hosting their annual social at the Grosse Isle Hall this New Year’s Eve. They are raising money to support the Children’s Rehabilition Centre. Not only can you have a great time, but you can help support an important cause. You can dance the night away to the music and light show from Roadshow Sound and Light. (contact Les or Lindsey 375-6700)

Christmas break has been fairly busy around here. We have a few people staying here for a snowmobile getaway right now. Boxing Day was a popular day for snowmobilers to get out for the day. We had quite a few groups stop in for lunch, snacks and for a warmup.  Although it was a blustery couple days they couldn’t refuse the chance to get out and ride. Today’s warm, sunny weather is a nice break from the long Manitoba winter. We better enjoy it while we can since the forecast is calling for some more snow on the way this week.

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas and has a great New Year’s Eve whatever you may choose to do.

Only 5 more sleeps until Santa comes to visit. Are we ready yet?  I know that this time of year can be overwhelming for some with all the shopping, partying, baking, wrapping etc. So take this time to sit back, relax and enjoy ready some silliness that I found to share.

If you are looking to waste some time while you are supposed to be working or just need a silly card to send out check this website.  http://sendables.jibjab.com/ You can upload your own pictures to create cards, pictures and music videos.

 ————-

This probably doesn’t qualify as politically correct, but it is definatley worthly of a chuckle

Funny Christmas Jokes — The Tradition of the Angel

When four of Santa’s elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum.

When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor.

In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor.

He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, ‘Merry Christmas, Santa.

Isn’t this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you.

Where would you like me to stick it?’

And so began the tradition of the little angel stuck on top of the Christmas tree . . .

 ——————

A Christmas Gift

After hearing about this extravagant gift, a friend of his said, “I thought she wanted one of those sporty four-wheel-drive vehicles.”

——–

What happens if you eat the Christmas decorations?
You get tinsel-itus!

Which reindeer needs to mind his manners the most?
“Rude”olph!

What do you call a group of chess fanatics bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?
Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmas?
Sandy Claus!

What do you call a reindeer wearing ear muffs?
Anything you want. He can’t hear you!

Mum, Can I have a dog for Christmas?
No, you can have turkey like everyone else!

———–

Question: What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
Answer: Claustrophobic.

Question: What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Answer: Snowflakes.

———–

And then there is disco dancing Santa for a little mindless, silly fun. http://www.northpole.com/clubhouse/dancingsanta/ 

And last but not least you gotta try Whack a Grinch  http://akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/whackgrinch.html

————

Ok that’s enough fooling around everybody get back to work, wrapping, cleaning, shopping or whatever else you should be doing instead of playing.