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Before our last trip, I started to reorganize our first aid stuff. I bought two of these pouches from Blue Ridge Overland and filled them each with the stuff from the list below. That way my wife and I will always have an individual kit with us when hiking, and since there's always at least one pack in the truck, we'll always have a kit with us there. Within each pouch, I have individual 'kits' in zip lock bags so that it's easier to get to what you need and also to keep things dry. Pretty amazing what you can stuff into a small kit. Backpack First Aid Kit Wound Kit: Band Aids: 2 ea. S/M/L 2 ea. Knuckle and Butterfly Bandages: (2) 2x3 (2) 3x4 (2) 8 x3 (4) 3x3 Gauze Pads Gauze Roll Wound Closure Strips Waterproof Tape Duct Tape (6) Alcohol Pads Neosporin Scissors Blister and Bite Kit Moleskin Glacier Gel, Lg & Sm (4) Oval Blister Bandages (6) Benadryl EpiPen Afterbite IvyX Mini Tweezers Misc (2) Tylenol Sunscreen (4) Bug Wipes (5) Eyedrop Vials SOL SAM Splint Life Straw (2) Trioral Salts (2) Rescue Blankets Thermometer Signal Mirror

We have several first aid kits. One in the truck. One in the trailer, front of the shelf of the closet. Another bigger bag, more extensive, that moves from the boat to the hall closet, or can move to the truck, for longer trips. I also carry a very few items in my purse, and tuck a few in the glove box. One of the routine checklist items at the beginning of the season is to empty each kit and check the contents for missing or damaged/expired items. The general rule is also to replace items if they've been used at the next drug store or Walmart stop. Last trip, I spent an hour replacing the last of the g4 halogen bulbs in little used fixtures with LEDs. On the very last one, at the foot of the bed, I took off my glasses to see the tiny holes for the g4 prongs, as I see better close up without the glasses. Big mistake #1. I got a sharp pain in my eye when a piece of something fell into my unprotected eye. The slot for eye drops and eye wash was empty in the first aid kit. I'd neglected to replace it last time... Fortunately, I was able to hold my lid aside and cry it out. But, it could have been serious. I discovered a few other empty slots... antacid, and topical benadryl for bug bites. Filled them all when we went into town. Don't neglect your kit like I did.... Keep it up to date. Sherry

Good suggestion. Some red cross classes can even be completed online, at home. Here's a link to finding classes from the red cross near you. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class

Besides stocking up on the "materials" needed for first aid it is good to get a reminder every few years on how to use these things and improvise if you don't have the "proper" materials available. The American Red Cross conducts both regular first aid and wilderness first aid courses in many communities around the country. While you're at it, the winter just might be a great time to also refresh ones self on AED's and CPR. Bill

We're Sandy and Joe Williams from Dayton, Ohio and we're taking delivery of our Oliver Legacy II in January 2019 when temperatures dip into the low twenties. That should give you a good idea about our planning capabilities... We were fortunate enough to immigrate here from South Africa about 40 years ago with 4 small (1 to 9 years old) daughters. At that time we took our first and last trip in a rented RV to explore this beautiful country. The trip was pandemonium and chaotic -- it cured us of ever wanting to be in an RV again. That is, until we saw an Oliver about four months ago... We're going on 75 now and our daughters are middle-aged. Sandy still rides her horse and that is our only major encumbrance from taking very long trips -- we'll dip into the wild in three week spurts. The Lake Gunderson Rally will be our first such trip: we're all booked and full of anticipation.

KKMAIN - I assume that you are returning to CA via the southern route? What a grand trip you have ahead of you. I don't know if there will be an organized Quartzsite in late January - early February but it sure would be a wonderful way to break in that new Oliver. Bill

Welcome! We’ll be picking up #413 in January also - from California to Tennessee - challenging weather changes! But we’re very excited to experience new adventures. We’ll be attending Lake Gunderson Rally also. I love this group of people we’ve never met - we feel so welcomed.

Tourniquet, hemostatic guaze, lots of 4X4s for packing ( GSW—welcome to NRA America ), 325 mg aspirin, usual first aid kit stuff.

That was great info Bill ? I have the Suburban heater and wasn't sure what was in his trailer. It had the reset! That's good to know ? But your info has opened my eyes and we'll be coming to you when we need some teaching ? Thanks Reed

Darrell & Kathy - Besides a very small ceramic electric heater, I also carry a Mr. Heater "Buddy" propane heater. The one I have will work from a single one pound propane bottle (Coleman and the like) or from a long hose that you can connect directly to your main propane tanks. It includes a tip over switch and a low O2 sensor but I always leave a window cracked when using it. Those one pound bottles can get rather expensive ($3-$4 at Walmart and up to $6 in specialty stores) but it works great and uses no electricity. Bill

Darrell, thanks for the feedback. That sail switch is a “prove” switch. It proves that the combustion chamber blower is working before allowing the gas valve to open and the igniter to spark. It is a delicate switch. A strong spiderweb or an insect nest might have kept it from working or going unused for a while might have let it stick open. Once you free it up it should be ok for the season unless it is defective. Bill

As far as defining what "visited" means, to us if we have spent all day driving thru a state, we've visited it whether we spent the night or not. If I touch the state line, I've been there. Everyone can feel free to make up their own definition. Steve