Snowbirds...
click image for website
The term snowbird is used to describe people from the U.S. Northeast, U.S. Midwest, or Canada who spend a large portion of winter in warmer locales such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, or elsewhere along the Sun Belt region of the southern and southwest United States, Mexico, and areas of the Caribbean. It is also used for northeners who migrate to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, for the winter. Victoria is known for having very mild winters by Canadian standards, and has an annual "blossom count" in mid-February to prove its warm winter status.
Snowbirds are typically retirees, and business owners who have a second home in a warmer location or whose business can be easily moved from place to place, such as flea market and swap meet vendors. Some snowbirds carry their homes with them, as campers (mounted on bus or truck frames) or as boats following the east coast Intracoastal waterway. It used to be that snowbirds were the wealthy who maintained several seasonal residences and shifted residence with the seasons to avail themselves of the best time to be at each location.
Many of these "snowbirds" also use their vacation time to declare permanent residency in low, or no tax states (where the taxes are sustained by high tourism taxes), and claim lower non-resident income taxes in their home states. The right to vote for local office is governed by local law, so it may be possible to vote for local offices in both places if the locality permits nonresident voting, but representation in the United States federal Congress is for residents as enumerated by the decennial census.
RV ers...
A significant portion of the Snowbird community is made up of recreational vehicle users (RVers). Many own a motorhome for the sole purpose of traveling south in the winter. Often they go to the same location every year and consider the other RVers that do the same a "second family". Many RV parks have deemed themselves "snowbird friendly" and get the majority of their income from the influx of RVing snowbirds. There are places like Quartzsite, Arizona, that have been labeled "white cities" because from a bird's eye view all the motorhomes cover the landscape in white and then in the summer are gone.
Snowbirds are typically retirees, and business owners who have a second home in a warmer location or whose business can be easily moved from place to place, such as flea market and swap meet vendors. Some snowbirds carry their homes with them, as campers (mounted on bus or truck frames) or as boats following the east coast Intracoastal waterway. It used to be that snowbirds were the wealthy who maintained several seasonal residences and shifted residence with the seasons to avail themselves of the best time to be at each location.
Many of these "snowbirds" also use their vacation time to declare permanent residency in low, or no tax states (where the taxes are sustained by high tourism taxes), and claim lower non-resident income taxes in their home states. The right to vote for local office is governed by local law, so it may be possible to vote for local offices in both places if the locality permits nonresident voting, but representation in the United States federal Congress is for residents as enumerated by the decennial census.
RV ers...
A significant portion of the Snowbird community is made up of recreational vehicle users (RVers). Many own a motorhome for the sole purpose of traveling south in the winter. Often they go to the same location every year and consider the other RVers that do the same a "second family". Many RV parks have deemed themselves "snowbird friendly" and get the majority of their income from the influx of RVing snowbirds. There are places like Quartzsite, Arizona, that have been labeled "white cities" because from a bird's eye view all the motorhomes cover the landscape in white and then in the summer are gone.
Passport Canada
Step-by-Step Guide
This simple Guide will walk you through the entire Canadian passport application process. We encourage you to take time to read each step to ensure that your application form is properly completed. Click flag for website |
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Beachfront Radio click on picture for link
This will help you get in the tropical mood, l play this on my laptop all the time.
It takes me to a warm tropical place with calm winds and swaying palm trees. I don't know about you but I'm ready to head back south again now... Your home for the best Independent Trop Rock Artists along with your favorite rock and country hits plus a great line up of radio shows featuring your favorite Trop Rock artists! |
Two Buck Chuck click picture for 2 buck chuck
Charles Shaw is a brand of "extreme value" wine (bargain-priced premium wine). Largely made from California grapes, Charles Shaw wines currently include Cabernet Sauvignon, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Valdiguie in the style of Beaujolais nouveau, and limited quantities of Pinot Grigio. These wines were introduced exclusively at Trader Joe's grocery stores in California at a price of $1.99 per bottle, earning the wines the nickname "Two Buck Chuck." In 2009, an international version of Chardonnay from Australia was introduced in limited stores.
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BCAA Membership
Check here for information on your
travel insurance and other roadside assistance. Good Sam Club click photo for link
We joined this Club and added the Roadside Assistance, we had to use it once when our motor home ran out of gas, faulty gauge, with in an hour 5 gallons of gas were delivered to us on the highway, no cost, and we were on our way again. Check out the link.
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Canadian Snowbirds on the loose... click photo for link
Have a look at this site, it provides plenty of information for us Canucks as we flock to southern skies and warmer weather each winter, as a guy born and raised in New Westminster BC l can tell you that when my lips start turning blue in the fall..."l'm outta here" |
HEART to HEART CLICK TO ENLARGE
The first hour of a heart attack is known as the "golden hour." If you get help during that first hour, your chances of recovery are greatly improved. Yet many people hesitate to get help when they first experience symptoms. They're afraid of the embarrassment of going to the emergency room and finding that nothing is wrong. So, it is important that you know the symptoms that may indicate that a heart attack is in progress
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Click *heart* for
Heart Rescue Video |
Disneyland, California click image for link
I first went to Disneyland with my parents and sisters in 1961, l have been many times since taking my own children, I was there 2 years ago with 2 of my grandkids, l still enjoyed the adventure..we really are all still kids at heart. |
California Weather click image for link
Check out the local city weather in California, it also has links to storms etc. a good site to bookmark.
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California RV Parks click image for link
This is a site l found with some of the more popular RV Resorts in Southern California, we have been to a few of these at various times, to be honest we have not had a bad experience yet..good luck in your adventure, "life is good eh" |
California Public Golf Courses click image for link
This site seems to have a lot of courses in the right areas, l have personally hacked up a half dozen of these, since my game is so consistant now it doesn't matter what the course is like, if you see me out there.."heads-up"...
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In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out hamburger stores are common throughout Southern California, but they have branched out to Las Vegas and Texas too. The basic menu consists of the Double Double burger as well as cheeseburgers, hamburgers, french fries and shakes. The restaurant also serves soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, milk and coffee. Some customers, however, may not know that they can order different items using the store's secret menu.
*We've eaten here a number of times and have never been disappointed, a great lunch for 10 bucks is okay with us. If you get the chance give it a try, order the *Double-Double Burger :)
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Click Image to Enlarge
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Alzheimer's Test http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/fly.swfAs we age, we all need to be concerned with Alzheimer's disease. This puzzle is easy to put together if you are not affected by the Alzheimer's but apparently impossible to do for someone with the disease. Give it a try. If this puzzle is particularly difficult for you then your physician can offer you additional testing to check you for Alzheimer's. The sooner you deal with the disease the more years you will enjoy life. There have been some very remarkable new discoveries over the
last year or two in the research to cure the disease. Nothing yet cures it but electrical stimulation of the brain seems the most promising along with other new drugs. |
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Yuma, Arizona.. 2010 trip south click image for Algodones visitor information
Stopped in Yuma to visit family wintering there, had a nice time, we walked across to Algodones, Mexico, it was quite an experience, if you need prescriptions, glasses or new teeth, that's your place..
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Arizona Mobile Home Parks click thumbnail for link
I found this cool site awhile back, its a listing of mobile homes for sale in various RV Resorts in Arizona. For those of you who don't want to set out on the RV Road this could be an option, there are some pretty good deals. Although staying in one place for the whole winter is not for us we have many friends who own mobiles, its always nice to drop in to visit these great folks on our way to Mexico.
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RV Caravans to Mexico click here for web link to Caravan Groups
I continually have folks asking me if l thinks its safe to travel in Mexico or if l’m worried about it. Well for us it has been without issues but you need to be aware of where you are at all times, you don't travel at night and you stay on the main roads and highways. We have about a 350 kms drive from Nogales ( truck crossing only ) to San Carlos. We generally cross the border around 9:00 am and counting customs, getting our auto and visa permits as well as the toll booths and military checkpoints it takes us about 7 hours. I have mentioned a number of times that there are groups of RV'ers who meet and travel together, l just found this link with a few of these groups mentioned, if you are interested in traveling to Mexico by RV and don't want to venture the journey alone perhaps this site is worth viewing. Good luck Snowbirds...
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Arizona Golf Courses click image for link
Here is a pretty cool site l found, one of many that lists some of the best golf courses in Arizona. You can book golf packages online before you head south. Check it out and book your golf times...
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Arizona RV Resort click photos for links
I found this cool site with the list of most of the RV Resorts in Arizona, you may want to bookmark the website..It gives you information and details on each park when you click on their page..good luck
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THE WALKAIDE SYSTEM click on pic for more information
WalkAide is a revolutionary FDA approved medical device that leverages functional electrical stimulation (FES) to improve walking ability of people living with foot drop. The WalkAide is also utilized as a Neuro Rehabilitation tool by Clinicians. We met a lady who uses this system, she said it greatly improved her life, we thought we would pass the information along. We're not endorsing this product, we're just letting our fellow snowbirds know about it.
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Arizona Weather click on pic for website
This is a nice site to check the weather in the USA including storm and other foul weather, you can also see how nice it is where your snowbird friends are at..lol
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Wally-Docking....Wal-Mart Camping click image for information
Guidelines for RV Camping at Wal-Mart
and other non-RV specific places - the Basics |
RV Check ListMake sure you have everything you need when you hit the road. Travel checklists are to help you plan ahead, stay organized and never forget important items! These lists are brought to by Good Sam Club*
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Canadian Diabetes Association click image for website
I was diagnosed with diabetes in early February of this year, we should all be aware of the dangers of leaving this unchecked, have a read on the website for information, symptoms and things to watch for.
Magic Jack Phone click for website
We use this now as our primary land line, we paid $39.95 US plus another $10.00 US for a Canadian area code ( 250 ) It works great but we do have some issues with calls breaking up if we are on a busy router in an RV Park, otherwise it works just fine. We have called our friends in the USA and Mexico, both clear as a bell..( no pun ) There are no monthly bills, just a yearly $19.95 US charge, until someone tells us we can't use it, we'll just continue.
We purchased ours at Walmart in California but l did see them in Walmart in Canada, you may want to check there, it downloads by itself and allows you to pick your phone number online. Its worth a look-see. |
Vonage phone system click above for link
How does Vonage work?
Vonage allows you to make VoIP phone calls by connecting your existing high-speed Internet connection and home phone with a Vonage phone adapter. 
Check out this DVD if you get a chance,it's hilarious
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Starchoice Satelite System click dish for website
We have used Starchoice for almost 10 years, l take our dish and our reciever south with us, it does work in Mexico as well. We use a tripod that we set up when we get to an RV Resort, l bought a satelite finder from Camping World for a few dollars, it makes finding the satelite a lot easier. There are various plans to subscibe to, as long as l get the Canucks Hockey Games l'm ok.
Starchoice is now Shaw Direct. Check out their website, this may be something you could use, it also helps us keep up with local news from home... RV Friendly Casino's
I found this site with listings of Casino's and the amenities offered to RV'rs for overnight stay. We have numerous fellow travellers who have used Casino's as well as Wal-Marts, we may have to give this option a try on our way south this fall.
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Canucks Hockey Radio clik for "live" broadcasts
Your away from home and you miss your Canucks Hockey Games, if you didn't bring your satelite TV system, well here is the link to Team 1040 for Canucks live broadcast..check my homepage for Canucks schedule and updates..
Street View click image for website
Just type in the address of where you are going and a street view appears...try it out
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