FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

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FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

November 16, 2012, 08:29:04 pm

Please choose your answer carefully. You only get to vote ONE TIME and only ONCE

. While you may consider both Option #1 and Option #2, you cannot vote twice, so choose the most likely of the two that you think you will get a response. Read all the Options before voting as in some cases you may find an option that covers two or more options. The overall purpose of this poll is to point out something that you probably didn't know even existed.

This Poll will close on or about November 30, 2012 with the results.

Do you know where Marysville WA is located? This is where a former FT owner has moved to...yet he still posts to this forum. He sure would appreciate it if anyone on this forum (past, present, future) would give him a shout if you will be passing thru his neighborhood. He's less than 3 miles from a major Interstate I-5. Unfortunately, he hasn't got anyplace for you to park your coach on his property, but there are a couple RV parks in the general area, that might work.,

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #1 – November 16, 2012, 08:42:41 pm

I selected "logon to Foreforums", and then I check the Member Map to see where folks might be. Not everyone updates their location and not everyone wants to be "found", but it's fun to see who might be in an area.

Michelle

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #2 – November 16, 2012, 09:04:54 pm

I have used the Member Map to see our very first Foretravel. I found someone that was on our route, contacted them and asked if we could stop by for a brief tour. They invited us to stop, and that was enough to keep us looking at Foretravels.

I've used that feature the same way for some of the other brands that we considered, too. It is really helpful for someone who is just starting out researching coaches. Being able to locate someone that you can actually talk to face to face while looking at the coach really lets one get a feel for whether or not that brand is worth considering further or not. Since most owners are not really interested in selling their coaches, there is no sales pressure, and the owners can say what they actually believe/know, both good and bad.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #3 – November 16, 2012, 11:20:50 pm

John-having lived in Vanc BC for a long time and travelled down the I 5 thousands of time (well hundreds at least) I sure do know were Marysville is. We will be going past it this Dec 26th on our way south after visiting family in Vanc. problem is we may not have time to stop as we have to be in Oregon that night by Eugene to pick up solar stuff then be in mexico on 29th. But if you want to send me an e-mail with your address we will see what we can do. It would be interesting to meet you for a cup of tea.
Regards
John H

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #4 – November 17, 2012, 08:18:23 am

Hi John!

I like Michelle login to Foreforums and go to the members map. I'm a little too introverted to just drop by. If it's someone I've traded posts with I'll PM them and see if they are open to meeting.

We are planning a trip to the PNW next summer so will look you up. Always love to talk Foretravel!

see ya
ken

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #5 – November 17, 2012, 08:29:58 pm

I thought it was time to bring everyone up to speed since at the moment, I'm the only person who can see the results of this Poll. So far there has been 162 views of this poll. I constitute 6 of them. And we have a mere 21 votes so far. Sure would be nice if we had a few more voting. I see where I should have worded my selections a bit differently. So, rather than changing the wording, I will instead offer this explanation in order to clear up any misconceptions of how/why this poll was created.

Originally there were two members who made their presence known, that they were within spitting distance of where I now live, in the past few weeks. However, neither one of them knew this in their travels. I asked both of them and myself what could be done differently, so that those with Foretravels could contact me and we might get together and say HI to one another. True, I no longer own a Foretravel, but as a few people on this absolutely great forum have mentioned to me—that I have a great wealth of knowledge and that they would appreciate it if I would stick around and pass things along from time to time. That's why you still see me posting and/or pestering you. Actually, I feel a debt of gratitude to some folks who encouraged me [Dave Head; Tim Fiedler; Horace Culp; Brad Slaughter; Brett Harrison; Dave Jenkins; John & Linda Sichenze; Barry & Cindy; Paul Wildenstein; Gary Bouland; Jim & Sim] to post back in late 2006/early 2007 before plunking down my money for the 2002 U320 WTFE (40ft) coach I purchased from MOT in late February 2007. BTW, I believe I still hold the record for spending every night of 9.4 weeks in Nacogdoches. So don't anyone even think about trying to break that record.

For those who have never been to that town, let me assure you after just 3 nights in a row, the locals will think you are NUTS...and after a week you know you are. So, trying to top my record will certainly be quite a feat!

Michelle, I have been aware of the "Members Map" for quite sometime and I too am a bit too introverted to just drop by. It's what you first think of doing when you make plans to meet/see a fellow forum member as we are traveling that I was referring to. Besides the member maps area lacks a lot of detail info. To all the moderators on this forum, I certainly didn't mean to derail anyone by creating this poll, certainly without obtaining anyones permission. I don't know the protocol for doing such a thing, but this has given me some ideas about other areas on the forum that need to be made aware of by the membership. It seems most of the members simply use their e-mail service and never come and look at the features that the forum itself has to offer!

Anyway, I hope more people will vote (remember you can vote only ONCE) so make you selection Carefully. I also hope that more of the membership will get in touch with me, if you will be within say 75 miles of Marysville, WA. We can almost always make arrangements to meet half-way if your travels won't make it all the way to my place. Marysville is about 75 miles south of the Canadian Border and about the same mileage north of Seattle on I-5.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #6 – November 17, 2012, 08:54:06 pm

John,
It's great to see you're posting again. Fellow Foretravelers whether current or former coach owners, should always be welcomed to contribute to this forum. Regards,

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #7 – November 18, 2012, 06:50:45 pm

One avenue of contact that I haven't seen mentioned is radio. Several Foreforums members are Ham operators. I keep my radio shack in my FT, as do several others here. If, on my travels, I hear one of us on-air, I would jump at the chance to meet up and visit. Next month we will be traveling across Washington, and I hope to catch Wa_desert_rat chatting away. 73s.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #8 – November 18, 2012, 07:36:34 pm

When we had the old Minnie Winnie I kept the two-meter rig on the national calling frequency, and had a large sign to that effect on the rear of the coach. Got a few contacts that way.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #9 – November 18, 2012, 10:37:14 pm

Quote from: bofzwell – November 18, 2012, 06:50:45 pm

One avenue of contact that I haven't seen mentioned is radio. Several Foreforums members are Ham operators. I keep my radio shack in my FT, as do several others here. If, on my travels, I hear one of us on-air, I would jump at the chance to meet up and visit. Next month we will be traveling across Washington, and I hope to catch Wa_desert_rat chatting away. 73s.

Sorry about that...I too have 2 meters and 440 band covered. When I began traveling around this country I had my radio's on, including CB and found virtually nobody to talk with. Haven't had anything one in at least three years. License is still active...I'm afraid John isn't! Besides I think my earlier response spells out the reason for this poll rather well. I may create a different poll and include your idea in it next time.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #10 – November 18, 2012, 10:44:14 pm

Quote from: bofzwell – November 18, 2012, 06:50:45 pm

Route 66_End to End....someday

You had better not wait too much longer. Route 66 is deteriorating pretty rapidly;-(. I did most of it 5 years ago & a lot took me to the Interstate. Very scenic though—never any part in Washington State though.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #11 – November 19, 2012, 07:57:58 am

2 Octobers ago, we drove from Tulsa to Kingman on whatever portions of Route 66 that are open. Several States have been doing a good job of rebuilding the old highway. Most of Arizona is back open, and a lot of Oklahoma and Texas, as well.
Normally, I will check the member list and map to see who's where, but still keep an ear open on 2, 6, 10 and the ever critisized 11 meter. Going for General soon, as I have a nice HF rig, and need the license to transmit.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #12 – November 19, 2012, 10:41:29 am

I am a newbie at this whole world of Foretravel. I have been collecting member's phone numbers off the forum as they post them. In my IPhone I have put FT before their name and have a growing list of FT contacts for future meeting.

I enjoy the ability of looking at the member's location map, and try to figure out where they live as I slowly click out to include more of the map, till I can id the part of the country as the larger towns and highways are shown. Sort of like the old game of "Name that tune".

The map of all members is interesting showing both the many in an area and the lone coach out in the country somewhere.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #13 – November 19, 2012, 06:47:15 pm

Quote from: bofzwell – November 18, 2012, 06:50:45 pm

One avenue of contact that I haven't seen mentioned is radio. Several Foreforums members are Ham operators. I keep my radio shack in my FT, as do several others here. If, on my travels, I hear one of us on-air, I would jump at the chance to meet up and visit. Next month we will be traveling across Washington, and I hope to catch Wa_desert_rat chatting away. 73s.

I will periodically listen to repeaters on 2M/440 when we're hanging out somewhere for a while, but chances of randomly finding a forum member on line seem a little low, with short range on 2M and shorter on 440... Gotta arrange it!

Any forum hams in the Nac area? There are (2) 2m and (2) 440 repeaters listed. Haven't tried to hit them from Camp FT yet.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #14 – November 30, 2012, 01:20:19 am

Has everyone voted? Less than ONE day left to cast your vote. Believe it or not, there has been 460 views on this thread and just 39 who have voted. Ahh come on boys & girls

, surely there are a few more members who might just be holding out. This is not an eBay auction...you don't want to wait till the last minute and then forget do you? The results will be posted very soon after the voting closes at 5:29PM (PST) tomorrow (Friday November 30th). The results just might surprise you.

For those who are Hams (the 2-way radio kind) I'm considering a special poll for all of us. Thanks for the suggestions and recommendations, fellow ForeForum members.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #15 – December 01, 2012, 10:51:02 am

Was the purpose of the poll to find where someone lives or where they are when you are traveling nearby them? I use the "Member Map" for that purpose all the time but that was not an option on the poll. People often travel and probably are not home. We usually make it a point to stop by anyone that is in our traveling path if there is time. Checking the "Member Map" often sometimes shows an additional opportunity to meet a member and put a face with a name. Then you realize they dont look like the cartoon in their profile

. So update your location as you travel. You never know who you might have a chance to meet.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #16 – December 01, 2012, 01:19:03 pm

If I'm traveling away from home. I usually change my position in the member map to the current location.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #17 – December 01, 2012, 02:11:54 pm

I try to post my position on the member map every time we move. It gets a bit difficult out here in the desert, (would have to plug in coordinates) but I attempt to pin as close as possible.

Roland

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #18 – December 01, 2012, 11:40:22 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam on Today at 07:51:02 AMWas the purpose of the poll to find where someone lives or where they are when you are traveling nearby them? I use the "Member Map" for that purpose all the time but that was not an option on the poll. People often travel and probably are not home. We usually make it a point to stop by anyone that is in our traveling path if there is time. Checking the "Member Map" often sometimes shows an additional opportunity to meet a member and put a face with a name. Then you realize they dont look like the cartoon in their profile . So update your location as you travel. You never know who you might have a chance to meet.

I want to thank all those who voted and it is my sincere hope that everyone now knows how to find me if you are planning a visit to the western side of the Cascade Mountains in WESTERN Washington State. What you may have learned here is how to find fellow FT buddies you've talked to for years but have never met. Please do keep your map current. You don't have to show your exact location, but something nearby will do.

For the benefit of Barry and others,I probably would say the primary purpose was geared more toward your second (in red) request. I apologize for omitting an option for using two-way radio and using the MEMBER MAP. At the time I created the poll, my thoughts were reflecting on a somewhat selfish but informative motive. I also was not sure if "members" were permitted to create polls or if it was something that required the approval of the moderators. It seems that I learned something about the inner workings (feature) of the operation of this forum, that I never knew before.Another thing I don't know is if the system opened the results of the Poll to everyone else or if I need to provide the results myself. I'm not taking any chances. With 50 Member votes, here are the results:

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #19 – December 04, 2012, 10:54:51 pm

John,
I just opened my Motorcader renewal and I noticed there was a check box for "Do you have space for a fellow motorcader to park overnight" (or something to that effect). Have you seen that? Are you in the Motorcader club as well? Just wondering, I put yes on mine, I'm glad to help any Foretravel owners I can.
Thanks for the poll,
Steven

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #20 – December 05, 2012, 08:31:32 am

Steven, The question about having room for a fellow MC member came up at the Grandvention in TX. I am glad to see that it has been implemented. I have found in our travels that a FT owner with space or a hookup is more than willing to allow a short stay if asked in advance. Wish I did not live in a subdivision, it would be fun to have other FT owners stop in.
Gary B

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #21 – December 07, 2012, 08:47:08 pm

We're always open for a visit. Advance notice is good but, especially in the summer, not always necessary. Coffee is always on. Give us a holler and most likely we'll say to come on over.

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #22 – December 07, 2012, 10:31:23 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – December 05, 2012, 08:31:32 am

Wish I did not live in a subdivision, it would be fun to have other FT owners stop in.

Gary, I am with you on that statement as well. We have a park directly across the street from my house that is just a bit over 3 acres with just one tree and all grass (mowed weekly), that has absolutely nothing on it otherwise. It's too bad that more people have not come forth to make necessary changes to it. It would be great to set something up so I could invite some others to stop in for a few days. All I can say is the rest of our housing area is in the process of being built. When I was traveling, I would often times look for these kinds of construction areas and park my motorcoach for the night, and no one ever complained or raised an eyebrow. Let me know you're coming and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction...do understand it is DRY-camping only!

Re: FWIW-How to locate fellow forum members, while traveling this great land of ours

Reply #23 – December 07, 2012, 11:14:36 pm

wehave room for 2 coaches if I move mine, so if anyone is coming up to Canada's west coast in the South Okanagan wine region on a lake. Dry deserty area but lots of lush orchards and vineyards. No guns allowed across border. We will be back at beginning of march till 20 May then gone to Portugal and Spain till 10th July. Would love to see some of you and the scenery is worth the trip.
JohnH

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