Ten Tips for Dog Owners on the Road in a RV

 by: Genevieve Frederick

Motor homes usually have a driver, a passenger, maybe a few kids and at least one dog. Its a prerequisite that to own a motor home you need at least one dog. Dont be surprised when you see RV dealers matching a breed to a particular model in the future.

Taking a RV trip with your pooch should and will be pleasant if you:

1. Keep your dog safe; put his leash on before you open the door. Dogs are excited as soon as their home on the road stops and they want out! But not every place you stop will be safe; on coming traffic, glass on the side of the road, and other dogs near by could cause your dog to run on to the road.

2. Carry a health certificate issued by our veterinarian that clearly identifies the dog and certifies that the dog have been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36-month period. This is a must if you plan to travel from the United States to Canada. Different Canadian provinces may have different requirements. Be sure to contact the government of the provinces you plan to visit. It is rare to need the health certificate when traveling in the 48 states but if there is an incident both the certificate and the rabies vaccination certificate could help a bunch.

3. Respect all the rules of campsites and parks. That can mean a special Poop Park or a Dog Run Area and leash rules. You dont want to be asked to move on if your dog misbehaves or is running amuck. Dogs in a new strange place will follow their nose so keep that leash on so he will not get lost. And be prepared to pay extra for your pooch. Some camps and parks have a dog fee.

4. Always carry poop bags (zip lock sandwich plastic bags for smaller breeds and larger plastic bags for bigger breeds). The trick, using the zip lock bags, is to turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, turning the bag right side again and zip the contents (and smell) closed. Always try to locate the nearest dumpster or trash can instead of bringing it back into your motor home.

5. D-rings are great! Hook it on his leash and then hook the D-ring to your belt loop. Youll have both hands free. When in camp, tie a long rope to a boulder, picnic table, tree or the bumper of the motor home and tie the other end to the hand rail just outside the RV door. Next time your pooch needs to go out, get his leash, clamp on the D-ring and hook it on the rope and out he goes like a little paratrooper. D-rings make it easy to tie up the dog when you go into a store or shop. Just loop the leash around any post or tree and use the D-ring to secure the dog; this prevents those knots that seem to get tighter by the minute as your dog pulls on the leash.

6. When you go on a tour or shopping and have to leave your pooch in the RV make sure you leave the vents open, have fresh water out, and a few puddle pads on the floor just in case there is an accident. Open windows can become an escape route; right through the screen and a long way down to the ground, so only leave the windows open an inch.

7. The inside of a motor home is usually small and dogs do not get out as much as if they were at home. Brush your dog outside to remove dander, and loose fur, its much easier to let the wind take it away than to clog up your vacuum.

8. If youre on the road for long periods check the local yellow pages for a dog groomer in the town you are visiting. Or ask at the campground or RV Park for a recommendation of a nearby groomer. A better solution than doggy day care, while you tour a museum or go to a ball game your dog will be pampered and clean when you pick him up.

9. Give your dog a special place, like a dog carrier or a dog pad or bed this provides him with a secure and comfortable place when he is feeling scared or tired.

10. If your dog gets nervous or anxious while traveling try Dramine and St. Johns Worth. Ask your vet for the amounts to be given based on your poochs body weight.

Dogs enrich our lives in everyway and they deserve a road trip too. Besides, theyre a lot easier than kids and dogs dont keep saying over and over Are we there yet? or wheres McDonalds? The only draw back, dogs cant use the bathroom so they compel us to stop and smell the roses every so often.

Fish Creek House - Making Montana Memories and a Dream Come True

 by: Cid and Dan Busarow

WHITEHALL Cindy Buscarow fulfilled a childhood dream when she moved to Montana last May. Another dream was reached two weeks ago when she and her husband, Dan, opened Fish Creek House, a bed and breakfast just outside of Whitehall.

“When I was young I always told my parents I wanted to live in Montana,” said Cindy, known as Cid. Living in New York and later California, Cid didn’t know how that would quite happen.

Dan, a partner in a computer business and gunsmith, and Cid, a bi-athlete, came to Bohart Ranch near Bozeman to compete in the running and shooting competition and fell in love with the area. The search was on for property in Montana. For Dan, he was returning to his roots. He lived in Malta until he was five.

The couple found a beautiful log home located on forty acres with gorgeous views of the mountains and a stone’s throw from Fish Creek.

The house was purchased and a large renovation started.

“We’d drive up from California every month to see how the progress was going,” said Cid.

During one of their trips, they took a hike down to the creek and when Cid looked up at the log home nestled in the hills, the name Fish Creek House came to her.

With the renovation complete and the licenses involved with a bed and breakfast approved, Fish Creek House is officially open for business.

The couple looks forward to sharing their home with guests, and those with horses as well. A new barn and round pen have been built for the couple’s horses and although they are not offering trail rides, guests are welcome to bring their own horses and board them in the new facilities.

“We want accommodate people who arenature loving. We’ll make you feel like part of the family while you’re here,” said Cid.

One of Dan and Cid’s specialties is shooting and plan to host shooting clinics for enthusiasts.

Another specialty of Fish Creek House will be the food. They offer a gourmet breakfast for their guests and with their own personal greenhouse, the vegetables will be organically grown on site.

The inn offers two guests suites, each with a private bath, a large living room with a stone fireplace, a library and a sitting room, complete with a microwave and a fridge. Fish Creek House is also a place where the active businessperson can stay in touch. They offer wireless internet in each of the rooms and are considered a “wifi hotspot.” The Buscarow’s have quickly introduced themselves to the local Chamber of Commerce. They have offered their services to build a website for the Chamber and are in the process of doing so. They are also community minded business people and have used custom made Montana pieces in their guest rooms.

“The beds were made by the Amish,” said Dan. The couple also uses local artwork to adorn the rooms.

Picking Your Golf Equipment

 by: David Kunstek

Looking for quality golf equipment but not sure you want to spend a ton on it? Are you new and starting out and need some new golf equipment but don’t know where to begin? Finding the right golf equipment may seem like a challenge, but it really does not have to be. In fact, if you know what you need, your task could be quite easy. Looking for quality golf equipment but not sure you want to spend a ton on it? Are you new and starting out and need some new golf equipment but don’t know where to begin? Finding the right golf equipment may seem like a challenge, but it really does not have to be. In fact, if you know what you need, your task could be quite easy.

The first step in purchasing golf equipment is to determine your budget. Once you get to that golf store and get the best club in your hand, you may just overspend. Knowing how much you can and should spend on golf equipment will keep your wallet as happy as you will be with your golf equipment. After determining this, you will need to begin looking. The basic equipment that all good golfers have is a set of clubs, tees, gloves, and golf balls. There is much speculation about which types of clubs you need and what material they should be made out of. The best bet to determining the right equipment for you is to try it out and get a feel for it. A basic set of golf clubs will include woods, irons, putters, and wedges. The types of these clubs that you end up purchasing will depend on how they feel in your hand and through your swing. Other golf equipment to consider includes shoes, balls, gloves, clothing and more.

Golf equipment is widely available. You can go into any sporting goods store and find quality merchandise. You can also go to some of the department stores and find golf equipment there. There are even golf equipment stores that can provide you with many choices. Still want a better selection? Are you looking for the best value for your money? Use the internet to search from site to site to find the right golf equipment at the right prices. The basic golf equipment should be the first order of business for you. Once you have these items you can move into getting the other golf equipment you may find.

Cruising: Fun & Affordable

 by: Thomas Schoonover

Many people pass up going on a cruise for their vacation because of the myth that it is expensive. However, cruising has become a fun and economical way to vacation for young and old alike. It could be considered a downright bargain compared to staying at a resort, hotel, or private villa.

Cruising is not bound to any particular age group either. There are fun activities for all ages aboard a ship, catering to small children, their parents, singles, middle-aged groups to elderly grandparents. However, a cruise that is longer than a week or that has destination ports further north will typically have an older crowd.

The first thing people think of when cruising is mentioned is of course food. A person on a cruise is typically assigned a dining room, dinner time and specific table companions to sit with for the duration of the cruise. There they are treated to extraordinary culinary delights and fine wines. If it is a week long cruise there will be probably be one or two formal nights where people dress in suits and cocktail dresses.

There are more choices on where to dine than the dining room. Many ships have smaller bistro-like restaurants, buffets many times during the day, snack bars, in-cabin service and many now have 24- hour pizzerias on board. Included in the price of the cruise are usually fruit juices, coffee, hot chocolate, water and teas. A slight downfall for cruising is soft-drinks and alcoholic beverages are at extra cost.

After eating all of the food that a cruise has to offer there are numerous activities, physical and social to do. Most cruises have fully equipped gyms and exercise classes. Many even have rock walls, rollerblade tracks, and jogging runs. There are always people playing games of volleyball, basketball and on a warmer cruise they can work off the calories by taking a swim.

There is more fun to be had aboard a cruise than just eating and exercising. As previously mentioned there are usually many pools. Some pools even have water slides. Days and nights can be spent gambling in casinos, drinking at the numerous bars and lounges, attending one of the Las Vegas-like shows, shopping, or sitting in the video and book libraries or reading rooms.

Pampering oneself can also be a part of the cruising experience. Most shipboard spas rival spas on land. There are many options for obtaining facials, manicure, pedicures, hair salon treatments and massages. Appointments go fast so they must be booked early. Usually free are the steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs.

Unless it is a cruise to nowhere, the ship will be stopping at exciting ports of call. If the ship is docked cruisers can just walk off the gangway. ff the ship is too large, motorized launches, called tenders, are used as ferries to get cruisers ashore. Each ship has organized excursions at each port of call that are available for sign up for before landing at the destination. They range in price from cheap to expensive depending on the type of activity desired. They can be a day at the beach to horseback riding, jeep excursions, shopping trips to nighttime clubbing. If a cruiser is not interested in hanging out with a group from the ship they can always opt to explore the port of call on their own.

As shown in this article, cruising is a great way to enjoy a vacation. Along with its affordability, it is extremely exciting with many fun activities available to enjoy.