Lynne Benjamin: RV Tales

The long and wining road: gallery gallery

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The long and wining road gallery

Our intrepid traveller takes wine tasting to the Maxx in Southern California

Woman holding wine bottle in vineyard

Oak Mountain Winery owner, Valerie Andrews, shows off the gorgeous setting of the vineyard and the Temecula Valley.

Two men with vineyard in background

Don Frangipani (L) and Chris Vienna offer delicious wines, an education on the industry and Shakespeare in the Vines.

Couple toasting with wine

The author (L) and husband, Rusty, enjoy a peak experience overlooking the Temecula Valley.

Man with glass of red wine in wine store

Mark Manfield strikes a chord with his Meritage vintage at the Lorimar Winery & Vineyards tasting room.

Four people drinking wine at Tesoro Winery tasting room

(L to R) Wine aficionados Terry Koeper and Phyllis Walker, and Tesoro Winery owners, Buzz and Kimberly Olson, toast to good friends and good wine.

A glass of red wine on a dining table

A glass of Baily's Sangiovese is a delicious end to a vintage journey through Temecula's Old Town.

A man by a Hummer

Jeff Gardner is the designated driver, giving tours of the Temecula Valley wineries in his extended Hummer.

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Get a head . . . of lettuce gallery

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What an udder delight! gallery

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I scream . . . gallery

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RV Manufacturers gallery

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This festival strikes a gourd gallery

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An unobstructed view gallery

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Fresh food on the road gallery

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Spiced almonds gallery

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The Good Sams know how to have a good time: Gallery gallery

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The Good Sams know how to have a good time gallery

The 2010 B.C. Samboree brought sports, games, tournaments and more to the Armstrong Fairgrounds this summer

Tractor rodeo

The tractor rodeo brought out a lot of fine "drivers."

Chicken skit

The chapter skits were filled with hilarity.

People playing bean bag baseball

Bean bag baseball was one of many games that could be enjoyed at the Samboree

Two cowboys standing together

The themed parade showcased some terrific western costumes.

People playing in the string golf tournament

The string golf tournament was a huge success.

flag parade with piper

A piper led the Parade of Flags.

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Top ten vitamins to help you get the most out of life gallery

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Pulling the T@B gallery

A unique little trailer is the perfect fit for a couple who frequently takes road trips to attend dog shows

Papillon dogs

In no particular order, Papillons Winky, Kirsten and Blaze all vie for attention.

T@B trailer

Gary Trimble and Maggie Henigman love their T@B trailer and Kirsten, one of their three Papillon dogs.

Pizza box flyer

The pizza box flyer is airborne in the skies above Baker RV park.

Pizza box flyer

Gary Trimble takes the pizza box flyer out for a morning spin.

Pizza box flyer

Made out of a stiff foam, the pizza box flyer is cheap to build and forgiving if crashed.

Pizza box flyer

Believe it or not, this design is aerodynamically feasible.

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Pulling the T@B: Gallery gallery

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Skip the grocery store gallery

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Galt Hospital 100 Years exhibit opening gallery

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Contact us gallery

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RV manufacturers gallery

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This way to the buffet gallery

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The laws of space gallery

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Oral hygiene, meet eco-friendliness gallery

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4th Annual Reader’s Choice Awards gallery

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What if you can’t become a full-timer? gallery

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Stay and be rejuvenated: Gallery gallery

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Stay and be rejuvenated gallery

Find out why Fountain of Youth Spa is a favourite among snowbirds

People playing bocce

The activities at FOY are numerous and varied.

Mountain scene

The scenery makes this resort even more enticing.

Lady playing pool

Billiards and other fun games are enjoyed here.

Musicians

People with musical talent feel right at home.

Performers at talent show

The Tuesday Night Talent show is a local favourite.

People serving food

You will never go hungry at FOY!

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Slide-out issues gallery

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Battery requirements gallery

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New Thor Diesel Club plans first rally gallery

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The RV route to Everest: Gallery gallery

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The RV route to Everest gallery

These international travellers took an RV journey to a surprising location

Rv on grassland

We were camped alone on a vast grassland when the setting sun lit up the mighty Qomolangma; the Tibetan name for Mt. Everest.

walls of Dali

The old and the new were for ever merging in China and roads took us through arches like this on several occasions. We are driving through the massive walls of Dali built in the 14th century.

Women peeling potatoes

Women were peeling potatoes at the side of the road and they invited us to join them and here are offering John a sampling. We eventually ate at the brazier where they were toasting vegetables with tofu.

the Portola in Lhasa, Tibet

The morning sun strikes the Portola in Lhasa, Tibet, just as our little motorhome pulls up in front.

Prayer flags at particularly perilous places along the road.

Prayer flags would flutter at particularly perilous places along the road.

young nomad homemaker

We were privileged to be invited into a nomad’s yurt on the high Tibetan Plateau. This young homemaker is holding the postcard from home that I gave her as a small “thank-you.”

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The stones make the story gallery

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Okanagan Fall Wine Festival gallery

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A fertile environment gallery

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Celebrate in style gallery

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Fleetwood Bounder with water heater trouble gallery

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Be cool gallery

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Boldly go… gallery

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B.C. Author brings Canadian Rockies gold rush to life gallery

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An eclectic blend gallery

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Yogurt and pesto salmon gallery

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Fresh food and family fun gallery

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Delve into the Thousand Palm Oasis gallery

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Good, bad and . . . bizarre: Gallery gallery

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Good, bad and . . . bizarre gallery

After a decade of reluctance, Lynne Benjamin finally experiences Slab City

pet cemetery

The people of Slab City have a special cemetery set aside for their pets.

Salvation Mountain

Salvation Mountain is a famous Slab City attraction.

library interior

The library is a quaint addition.

Oasis site

At the Oasis, creativity is encouraged.

Fire pit

RVers can enjoy a natural camping experience here.

golf course

The Gopher Flats golf course is a challenging place to play.

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Furnace squealing gallery

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Battery comparison gallery

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Snowbirds heading home—Part V gallery

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Driving to Panama: Gallery gallery

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RV Canada with Boo the Menopausal Van gallery

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Driving to Panama gallery

Potential snowbirds, your balmy winter dream can become a reality

Women with children

In the colourful market of Chichicastenango the local women wear huiples, a blouse they embroider with patterns handed down through the generations. Guatemala is known for the hand woven fabrics and rugs and in this mountain town you can buy the best.

Carmelo Gonzales, a hardened tug captain

Carmelo Gonzales, a hardened tug captain, acted as pilot giving our captain directions as we sailed into the Miraflores lock of Panama Canal. We had gotten ourselves jobs working as line handlers on a millionaire's yacht for the experience of a lifetime.

Railway bridge

This old railway bridge is the only border crossing on the Atlantic between Costa Rica and Panama. If you didn't like the idea of looking at the water through the ties you can head back north on the Pacific route.

Camping in the jungle

Lost in Costa Rica in a wonderland of green on green, with dragonflies and beetles, and critters with eight legs and others with four, and birds and butterflies flitting by.

Thelma working with wool

In the highlands of Guatemela, Thelma welcomed us into her home and showed us how she carded, spun, then dyed the family wool with local plants before they wove it into rugs. The whole family helped.

Jungle mist

The cloud forests of Costa Rica are mystical with flowers and bromeliads growing from the trees and occasionally falling to the ground beside you. Montiverdi Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.

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Meet the Samsons gallery

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First timers gallery

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Bull riding, Disneyland and beating Big Mama gallery

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The auxillary switch mystery gallery

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Boondocking gallery

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Natural sinus relief gallery

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The blue, bluegrass of home gallery

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Harness the sun’s power gallery

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Boler cruising gallery

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Recognized for excellence gallery

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Pursuing a passion gallery

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Tales from the mighty Columbia River gallery

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Love the wild gallery

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Poised for the big time gallery

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RV Reader Survey May/June 2010 gallery

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There is more to Palm Springs gallery

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Big Valley Jamboree gallery

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Snowbirds heading home—Part IV gallery

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10th Annual BC Rivers Day Music Festival gallery

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The ghosts of peoples past gallery

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A park system is born gallery

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Dual-battery emergency start circuit gallery

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June 2010 eNewsletter gallery

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Greek salad tart gallery

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Help me see the light(s) gallery

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Furnace fan keeps running gallery

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Meet Bill Carlson gallery

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Meet the Smiths gallery

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Surveyor slide-out gallery

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Valley of Fire gallery

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Meet the Svenssons gallery

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Following a free spirit gallery gallery

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Big things come in small packages gallery

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RV etiquette or common courtesy? gallery

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Weak floor in a Fleetwood Bounder gallery

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Possible fuel pump failure gallery

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Weight on the axles gallery

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Creating community gallery

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Going it alone gallery

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A breath of fresh air gallery

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Rocky Mountain high gallery

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Meet me at the oasis gallery

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Immersed in grandeur gallery

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Rolling rocks and history gallery

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Great gazpacho gallery

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Island adventures gallery

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Snowbirds heading home—Part III gallery

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It’s easy as 1, 2, 3 gallery

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A natural wonder gallery

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