If you have followed my blog for very long, you know my wife’s and my RV adventures take place off the beaten path. We love to explore forgotten and unique places typically not listed in the average tourist guidebook. This past year my wife and I encountered many furry eight-legged creatures during our explorations, which was not the norm for us. While some we came across while out exploring, others came to our campsite for a visit!
With recent news stories about the Chinese New Year beginning Jan. 31st, 2014 and designated as ‘The Year of the Horse’, I began thinking. “I know each Chinese New Year is named after an animal (about the only thing I know regarding the Chinese New Year via placemats in Chinese restaurants ), so if 2014 is ‘The Year of the Horse’, then surely 2013 was ‘The Year of the Spider’, explaining why we shared company with so many tarantulas this past year!” A quick online search revealed that 2013 was ‘The Year of the Snake’. Clearly this was proof positive of our spider encounters as spiders are listed with snakes 
under the species heading of creepy crawly things. Plus we had a few of those slithering critters shake their tails at us last year, too! I predict 2014 will be a much less stressful year exploring the boonies as mustangs and burros (members of the horse family) are always a treat to encounter and don’t contain the “eek!” factor. Literally exploring the Chinese zodiac, just another adventure in RVing!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
Leave a Reply