Member Spotlight

Ray and Marie DeCarlo
Davenport, Fla.

FMCA membership number:
F141117 (we joined in 1991)

FMCA chapter that we belong to:
The Challengers

Our current motorhome:
A 2006 Winnebago Journey

Other motorhomes we've owned:
A 1987 Coachman type C
A 1990 Cruise Master
A 1995 Fleetwood Southwind
A 2001 National RV Dolphin

Three words that best describe our current motorhome:
Looks, performance, ride

The best thing about our motorhome:
Drivability

We decided to buy our motorhome because:
We wanted a diesel-powered coach.

Occupations:
Raymond: retired engineer. Marie: retired biochemist.

The best thing about motorhoming:
Comfort and homey. You’re always home. We love sleeping in our own bed, watching TV, eating home-cooked meals, enjoying a glass of wine.

Our all-time favorite motorhome trip:
The Western states

One of our fondest motorhoming memories:
Sunset at the Grand Canyon

Other favorite destinations:
Washington and Oregon

Our “dream” motorhome trip:
Northwest United States and Canada

Our perfect day of motorhome travel:
Finding a home for the night. Exploring state parks.

Our worst motorhoming experience:
A tire blowout

Something motorhoming has taught us about life:
To live and enjoy god’s creation in the USA and Canada.

The best addition we’ve made to our motorhome:
A slide tray in the cargo areas

Something special or unique about our motorhome:
It has side- and back-view cameras.

If we could change one thing about our motorhome:
More cargo space

Something about motorhoming that we know now but didn’t know when we started:
To watch voltage to make sure you have enough amps to run the TV, air conditioner, et.al.

When driving the motorhome, the most important thing to remember:
If you are towing a car, when changing lanes, remember that you are towing a vehicle.

Our favorite thing about FMCA:
All the perks. And the rallies. We’ve volunteered since 1996 at FMCA’s Perry, Georgia conventions.

Advice for other motorhome owners:
Stop early so you can unwind and enjoy your stop and the evening.

Our hobbies: Marie: Cross-stitching, knitting, photography

Our favorite way to exercise:
Walking and cycling

Favorite movies: Dirty Dancing, Picnic

Favorite authors:
Marie: Stuart Woods, Sidney Sheldon. Ray: John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell.

Favorite singers:
Celine Dion, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, Glen Campbell

Favorite restaurant: LongHorn Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel

Favorite campground:
Creekwood Farm RV Park in Waynesville, N.C.

If we won a shopping spree at any store, we’d go to:
Camping World or Wal-Mart

Items that we always like to have in our motorhome refrigerator:
Salads, cheese and spices

When motorhomers visit our hometown, they should be sure to see:
Orlando; the beaches on the east and west coasts; Disney World; Universal Studios; Sea World; and many other attractions.

Our advice to new motorhomers:
When traveling, be sure to say hi to your fellow RVers. We’ve learned so much from others.

Behind our motorhome, we tow:
A 2003 Honda Accord, using a tow bar

Our favorite activity to do inside the motorhome:
Read, watch TV, cook, play cards

Our pet who travels with us:
A black toy poodle who loves the RV because she feels it is our home

A technical or lifestyle tip we’d like to share:
Join an RV club like FMCA, where you can make lifelong friends and learn RV tips.

Other comment:
We in our many journeys visited all of the Lower 48 states and spent weeks in each state.