LATINO RVers

More Latinos are enjoying the RV lifestyle. Just like you, Latinos enjoy traveling with their families and enjoying the great American outdoors. Taking the kids fishing, biking and hiking. My wife and I are prime examples of couple's campers. Latinos are building RVs too! From making, to purchasing and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle. Latinos are changing the RVing world. It's time to take notice America. #LatinoRVer #LatinoCamper

https://youtu.be/Dkrl4Dd_gy8

Getting My Travel Trailer ... FINALLY!

Back in March 2021, I ordered a Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S from Wana RV of Shipshewana, Indiana. They noted to me prices would be increased in a month. So place your $1,000 nonrefundable deposit down today, rather than tomorrow. And I did. They said I would get my RV by August. It didn't. 

This week I was notified my RV would be built November 22, 2021. So my wife and I plan to pick up (Fort Worth to Shipshewana, Indiana) our modest travel trailer come early December. That's the plan. It's critical to know that I understand the difference between what the dealership pays and MSRP. I have seen the manufacturer invoices. On my travel trailer back in March the wholesale price would be under $20,000. The MSRP was around $35,000. Today, I am paying $25,000 plus TTL. 

I feel bad for the many RV customers who have been exploited. Sales staff are cruel beasts. Their task masters (managers) are only motivated by profit. I'm hopeful that Devin Puckett at Wana RV continues to hold up to his side of the bargain. That there aren't any surprise price hikes. So far I'm impressed with Devin and Wana RV.

That's me inside a Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S. I like what I see.

Forest River, THOR Industries Cancel their Open House Plans

09/08/2021 - ELKHART, Ind. — Forest River, Inc. and THOR Industries have jointly announced the cancellation of Dealer Open House activities for 2021,  the two companies announced this afternoon (Sept. 8) in a joint press release. The annual event, scheduled for the week of Sept. 26, attracts thousands of visitors to Elkhart, Indiana from across North America.  The companies’ top priority is the health and safety of valued industry partners, team members and the larger Elkhart community, the release continued. With local and national COVID cases rapidly increasing, safety mandates would be required to help mitigate risks, distracting from the positive experience industry partners expect.     The cancellation of Open House is the right thing to do in order to protect the health of all stakeholders, officials said, while also helping alleviate disruption to production at a time when delivering new RVs is critical to the industry’s continued success. Forest River and THOR continue to be focused on delivering quality products to their respective dealer partners.   “After reviewing all of the factors, we determined it was in everyone’s’ best interest and the safest, most responsible course of action to cancel the Expo this year,” stated Pete Liegl, CEO of Forest River Inc. “The community and dealers always welcome this event, but with COVID rates increasing across the country, we do not want to put our dealers, employees or the community at any additional risk.”    “With a heavy heart, we’re canceling this year’s dealer event,” shared Bob Martin, THOR President and CEO. “Our companies remain steadfast on delivering exceptional RVs to our dealer partners. While we are eager to share the exciting innovation we’ve been developing across our brands, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our trusted partners, team members, and community.”

My Wife Loves To Knit

I have quite the inventory of wool products that my wife created. They include knit caps, socks and scarves. She has also constructed gloves and mittens for herself. As the magnet illustrates. She is quite dedicated to her craft. Hopefully, she doesn't hold any ill will towards me.

Annie enjoys knitting while watching her favorite TV series, Masterpiece Theater. She also loves to knit in her easy chair and of course while camping. Decades ago, my wife taught fabrics and sewing at UT Austin while pursuing a PhD in Art History.

Annie obviously knows her stuff. She just completed a book on a San Francisco Bay Area fiber artist. The book will released next year by Duke University Press. Busy gal.

Walking Tour of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Thanks for checking out my walking tour of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. What a great place for a hike. My wife Annie and I saw beautiful scenery, kayakers, people fishing, various birds and other wildlife. Yes it was hot and steamy, but we both had a great time. We had hoped to see some bison, but no luck. They were apparently on hiatus. Visiting the nature center was a great respite from our usual routine. We look forward to coming back to burn more calories while walking.  

Thanks for watching. I greatly appreciate it. Feel free to contact the nature preserve with any questions, comments or concerns. Here is a link to their website: https://www.fwnaturecenter.org

The Boyhood Home of LBJ: Johnson City, Texas

My wife and I offer a casual walking tour of Johnson City, Texas. This video includes President Lyndon B. Johnson's boyhood home, farm and ranch buildings from the 1800s and Pedernales Electric Cooperative headquarters. I used to work at PEC. I did not shoot any video of downtown Johnson City. Not much to see there. I would head to Fredericksburg for a more beautiful and tasty downtown experience.

Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/oU0dLeDkLfo

Apparently, invariably, inexorably, I'll be getting a call from Wana RV. That's supposed to be in August. I ordered a 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S travel trailer in February. We'll see. By the way. We are paying cash for the TT once it arrives.

I have already purchased most of the items required to operate and transport a travel trailer. Mundane items like the sewage hose to a surge protector are awaiting their intended purpose. Upgrades like more solar panels, a better charge controller and batteries are planned. More money!

I should have plenty of room for most of my newer cameras and tripods. I plan to take my Nikon D800, Panasonic Lumix G85, DJI Pocket 2 and various accessories. On the road, I will focus my lens on capturing a disappearing America. Remnants, hidden in far away spaces.

My wife is excited about our new family member (travel trailer). Can't wait to park it in the back yard alley. We'll work together as a team to make the TT unique. Annie and I are a modern couple. We enjoy working together. One of our first projects is to make the kitchen and storage areas more usable. No girl this or boy that. We'll keep you updated on our RV upgrades on our YouTube channel.

New 2022 Rockwood and Flagstaff Travel Trailers

JUST RELEASED! The exciting 2022 model year changes for the Rockwood Mini Lite and the Flagstaff Micro Lite travel trailers. Many previously optional items are now standard equipment. This year, you can add another 190 watt solar panel. Fantastic! What do you think? #WanaRV

RV Shopping Spree Almost Over

I am pretty much set. I have most of the items I purchased for my new travel trailer. A few more straglers will come later this week. The 90-00-1069 Equal-i-zer hitch will be installed at the dealership for $700. I feel that's a fair price. 

My Mini Lite lists for $36,747 (no freight charges.) I will pay $25k for the privilege of owning one. I'll be sending them a check for $25,700 when they get delivery (August, September ... whenever?) from the Rockwood factory a short stroll away. 

In about a week or more, I'll be hooking up my modest trailer in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yes, I'll be saying hi to all my Amish cousins. No, I can't stay for the barn raising.

New RV Observation Camera System by Haloview

Yesterday, I received my new Haloview MC7109 RV observation camera system. I'll be showing off the product in my next RVTA video. Subsequent videos will detail installation and reviews. So far I'm quite impressed by the specs and quality of the cameras and hardware. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Here is alink to my firstg video on the Haloview Wireless Backup/Observation Camera System. An Introduction! https://youtu.be/FX5k88aQYgA

New Facebook RVing Group

I started a new Facebook group. It's dedicated to the RVing lifestyle. The group will feature links to my RVTA YouTube videos, blog entries and my travel photographs on RVTA.MyPortfolio.com. Here is a link to my new YouTube group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvtraveladventures Feel free to join.

Cleburne State Park Texas Review & Video

Cleburne State Park is less than an hour South of busy Fort Worth. The state park surrounds the relatively clear water of 116-acre spring-fed Cedar Lake. I feel Cleburne State Park is representative of the Texas park system. This park offers RV sites, (casual/flat and mountain) biking, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking and no-wake boating. 

Visitors can reserve a screened shelter or cabin with bathrooms. Several large group picnic areas are also available. Contact the park for reservations and more information. The park offers plenty of affordable camping and recreational options. Frisbee, soccer, softball, volleyball or badminton anyone?

Some RV sites have water and electricity. While others offer full-hookups. Some full-hookup sites offer only 30 amp service while others both 30 and 50. My wife and I did see a dump station. There are showers (indoor and outdoor) and restrooms at several locations. What else does an RVer need?

We look forward to coming back to camp, hike and fish. We're definitely considering bringing our bikes too. My wife appreciated that outside the busy swim area, the park was quiet. 

5800 Park Road 21 Cleburne, TX 76033 (817) 645-4215 Latitude: 32.252365 Longitude: -97.549617 Here is a link that you may find useful: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cleburne

Link to my YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/fRzBdjM6f-A

Any questions? Feel free to contact me. https://jmmgarza.com/contact

A Day At The Fort Worth Zoo

I was planning on a serene day at the Fort Worth Zoo. It had just rained that morning and it was a Wednesday. To my surprise, the zoo was quite busy with families. The animal chatter was drowned out by the screaming children. I saw parents working overtime trying to keep their little ones safe. For me, thankfully, my parenting days are a distant memory.

Lately, my wife and I enjoy quiet days and evenings at home. We spend our hours busily reading books, writing, editing media and watching the boob toob. Our day at the zoo was definitely a strepitous interlude. Thankfully the animals and scenery were agreeable. If you have the time. Please check out my YouTube video detailing my visit. https://youtu.be/vzTarMNWTHk

Thanks for visiting my blog. I greatly appreciate it. Feel free to contact me with questions comments or concerns. Here is a link you can share to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RVTravelAdventures