Tuesday, May 22, 2007

CT Summer RV Show



On May 19-20, Long View RV Superstore (where I work selling RVs) participated in the first annual Connecticut Summer RV show. It was a great opportunity to show unique features of RVs new for 2007. We displayed about eighteen trailers and motorhomes, ranging from pop-ups (one of my co-workers with the 8' model)...



...to our exquisite Travel Supreme Alante 45' diesel motorhome. Travel Supreme builds on the Spartan chassis (the same chassis found in firetrucks because it's heavy-duty, safe and reliable.) The Alante is a tag axle coach with a 500HP engine. To drive the Alante is like floating on a cloud. With four slides, beautiful woodwork, buttery-soft leather, porecelain tile floors, fireplace, dishwasher, cedar closets, and every conceivable electronic accessory - it is a luxury condo on wheels.



But for the family just starting out, or ready to move up from a pop-up (who isn't - I only kept mine one season) the aluminum Star Stream hybrid trailer by Starcraft is a perfect choice. It's lightweight, features a full bathroom and kitchen, air conditioning, and sets up and breaks down much more quickly than a pop-up. Very important, especially in the rain!



The Kodiak by Aero is another good hybrid choice. Model #23TT has three tents, constructed of state-of-the-art fabric (no canvas or vinyl) with self-inflating air mattresses. The old-style foam mattresses on most pop-ups are rock-hard and literally "a pain in the back." Not these!



Toy haulers, trailers with garages for hauling motorcycles, ATVs, and other gear, are growing in popularity exponentially every year. When I first started working for Long View RV, we had one or two models, at the most. Now we carry several different brands with a wide choice of floor plans. Enduramax, a division of Gulfstream, offers the Wide Open series of trailers and fifth wheels. I love the red/black combo on this one.








Cedar Creek has just come out with a two-bedroom (four-slide) fifth-wheel that also has a huge private bathroom in the master bedroom.



If I traveled alone, or if I weren't a full-time RVer, I'd choose the BT Cruiser by Gulfstream. At 30', it's a size that's livable, easy to drive and park, and relatively good on gas. You can get the BT Cruiser with either two or three slides, including an atrium sunroom dinette! Love this paint job too!



Ed has picked out this Sun Voyager for our next motorhome..someday. I love my 36' double-slide Sun Voyager #8368. But this #8389 is two feet longer and has three separate rooms - living, kitchen/dining, and bedroom. It has two extra-long slides with a side-aisle that allows for a much larger bathroom than in mine. Three-zone living means that the #8389 feels more like a real house than any RV I've ever been in.



I think Long View RV is going to have great summer season. We've been in business since 1959 and are the largest dealer in western New England. We didn't get to be this big and stay in business this long by not giving greats deals and providing excellent service. I work selling RVs because RVing is my life and my passion. I love helping people follow in my footsteps to get out and see this beautiful country that we are so blessed to live in. I bought my first RV from Long View back in 1999. When I decided to join the RV industry in 2003, Long View was my first choice. Frank Roberts, the owner, (right)



and his parents, Fran and Shirley, who founded the company, have treated me even better as an employee than as a customer. Because they allow me to come and go each season, I'm able to live my dream.

Long View RV is located at 27 Lawnacre Rd., Windsor Locks, CT. I can be reached there May through Spetember at 800-516-9058 if you would like more information on any of our products. Our complete inventory is available online at www.longviewrv.com.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Carlson Family Visit

Last night, we were delighted to have Ed's sister, Fran, her husband, Mike, and their three children visit us at our campsite at Cha-Wi-Ma Coop in Chaplin. Since our cook-out was rained-out, we visited for awhile in the motorhome to get caught up on news of the family then went out for pizza. Amanda(17) was crowned Queen at her junior prom a few weeks ago. She would like to study Fashion Design and plans a week in NYC this summer to look into Pratt Institute for college.



Fran and Amanda


Miles(14) and Hannah(12)


Mike

Mike and Fran and their kids are such a pleasure to spend time with. Hopefully, we can visit them later this summer during their camping trip to the beach at Hammonassett State Park. We'd love to take the motorhome, but CT state parks don't allow dogs. Bummer! It will be a fun day trip, though.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Brian Carnell's Birthday Celebration

Ed and I arrived back in Connecticut just in time to be with my Dad as we celebrated his 80th birthday on May 2. Dad received quite a number of cards. My sister and her in-laws each sent a big bouquet of flowers, including miniature sunflowers and yellow lilies.



The red rose flag outside Dad's condo flies in honor of the memory of my mother every year at this time. The red rose represents Lancashire county in England, where she was from.



Off we went to Dakota's Steakhouse in Avon, CT for a small family gathering. The celebration with my sister, Marguerite, and her family, was our first reunion since last October, when we left CT. Here I am with Catherine, who turns five years old in June.



David and Ed, Dad's two sons-in-law.



Marguerite and Meredith, 2 1/2 yrs., and David's father, Rob.



We all enjoyed not only a delicious dinner but, most of all, being together after a seven-month separation. Dad is opening a gift from our friend, Karen. It was a huge box of See's Candies, which Dad generously passed around for us to share.



Being with family is the reason we come back to Connecticut each summer and it feels wonderful!