Maher April - RVing

Brent Peterson: Writing can indeed be a lonely profession, but it still takes many people to get a project like this going. Id like to thank my wonderfully supportive editor, Randy Ladenheim-Gil, for her support and recognition of this subject matter as book-worthy. Credit should be given to the entire Alpha Books team for making my words look so good. The contributions of The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer, were many and monumental. Not only did he review the text to make sure no one blows up, but his ideas, insights, and numerous photographs vibrate throughout the pages.

I have learned a great many lessons from so many talented RV writers along the way. Joe and Vicki Kieva, the first family of RV travel, helped a young editor learn the industry, while the late, great Bill Farlow taught me how to stand up. More thanks to Ann Emerson for giving me my first job in this industry, and Bill Brophy for hiring a confused kid right out of college and setting him on a course of journalism. Credit should also be paid to veteran newspaperman Terry Shelton, writer Robert Dana, and a host of amazing teachers who helped me discover my skills. I cant forget my mom, who pushed me to write. On the home front, my life simply doesnt go without my strong, beautiful wife, Anne. The profound joy and satisfaction I feel for my two boys, Parker and Maddux, continues to amaze me. To borrow a line from Jack, they make me want to be a better man. And there is simply no greater office mate than the ever-mellow Daisy the Beagle, loud snoring and all. Special thanks go to Aline Fiedorowicz, Eric Schieber, and my perpetual sounding board, Joby Gardner, for easing the hard times, as well as my terrific network of friends and family. How one guy got so blessed, I just dont know. Thank you, God. Finally, and most sincerely, my deepest appreciation goes to everyone who purchased this book. Without you, Im just a guy with a laptop.

April Maher: My family and I have hit the road to landmark RV havens, including one in a Chevy S-10 Blazer towing a Jayco pop-up all the way to Alaska on the ALCAN Highway. That adventure is fraught with memories, but so are many smaller trips. Devils Lake State Park in Wisconsin is where it all began; we continue to enjoy a seasonal spot, in our Jayco Jayflight travel trailer (model number, 29FBS), at nearby Wheelers Campground. Tennison Bay Campground in Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin was our annual fall getaway with our best friend, Tom Balaskas.

It always rained in Indy on the Time Trials weekend with Anita and Keith but that never stopped us from watching Lone Star JR (Johnny Rutherford) try to capture the pole for The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. The KOA Indianapolis was an excellent respite. Or how about the amazing Redstone Campground in White River National Forest near Aspen? In the Black Hills, I have been chilled with patriotism at the sight of Mount Rushmore while standing there many times with our son Brian when he was younger but never prouder than the last visit now that he is a member of the United States Air Force and is stationed near Rapid City, South Dakota.

Special thanks go to Suzi and Fred Dow (at forestcamping.com), Mike Gast of KOA, Richard Hesed at Devils Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin and Tom Maher, National Park lover. The top 10 Lists (or top 12 in one case), each of you provided, was just what I needed to enhance the Campground Life chapter. Readers will be excited (and wont be idiots) when they camp in a National Forest, a KOA, a State Park, or a National Park. Thanks also to John Toffler at RVReviews.com.

Big thanks to Billy Fields at DK Publishing for his assistance along the way and Marilyn Allen, my razor-sharp agent. Also thank you, Rick Kughen for such a fine editing job. A special thanks to my research team, and as it happens, my best friends, Anita & Keith Thompson, Diane Dawson, Linda Pappalardo, Renate Schulz, and Mary Lu Laffey.

Thanks to my loving husband, Tom, who is always game when I say, road trip, and who fanned the flames of my wanderlust early on. He has taken me to more beautiful places than a person has a right to see in a lifetime. To our son, Brian, who willingly hit the road with us without complain, and who was never too cool to camp, hike, and explore with the folks, I give a loving thanks from Mom for all the joyful memories you give me. You are now a confident world traveler yourself and the finest young man I know. To my extended family and exceptional friends: having you in my life has been an adventure happily coupled with some misadventure. Thanks for your love and support.

To my sister Anita: my favorite place in all the world is next to youpreferably driving, camping, and taking selfies.

Idiots Guide: RVing was reviewed in earlier editions by experts who double-checked the accuracy of the text. Their efforts on this book were absolutely invaluable. Thank you, Gary Bunzer (a.k.a. The RV Doctor), for your huge, technical brain, and Shelley Zoellick, a terrific writer and researcher. You guys are flat-out awesome. Also, thank you to technical and hands-on RV experts, Mark and Dawn Polk, who own RV Education 101 and who produce training videos on how to use and maintain RVs. Thank you for your kindness and expertise when I reached out.