From Governor to 'King of the Road'

Former Maine Governor Offers RV Tips After Cross-Country Trip with Family

RESTON, Va., Feb. 20 -- After eight years as Maine's governor, Angus King became "king of the road."

The day after he left office a year ago, King, his wife, Mary Herman, and their two children -- Ben, 12, and Molly, 9 -- hit the road in a 40-foot motorhome to see America. Over the next six months, the family traveled 15,000 miles, visited 34 states and enjoyed the trip of a lifetime before returning home last June.

Based on his experience, King offers some advice. "Get on the road!" says King. "See the country. Do it with the kids. It was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my life."

King and his family got their first taste of RVing five years ago, when they rented an RV during their kids' spring vacation and spent a week driving around Arizona. That mini-trip was the inspiration for the Kings' family trip across America.

"After that test run, Mary and I realized we could do it," says King. "It also helped get our feet wet without making a big investment. So we started talking about a trip across the country after I left office."

"We had both always been fascinated by RVs and we thought this would be a great family trip. Part of the reason was that my job was so intense. Not that I neglected my family, but I just wasn't able to spend the family time that I wanted. Our motivation for the trip was to see the country and be with the kids."

The Kings appreciated the time they spent together during the RV journey. "A bonding takes place being together with family in an unfamiliar setting and working together," King pointed out.

The pace of RV travel also was a welcome change from the demands and stress of his job.

"One of the big attractions of RVing is that your life simplifies dramatically," says King. There were no meetings or deadlines to worry about. We weren't burdened by the anxiety of getting anywhere. Life is simpler on the road. It's relaxing."

King says one of the keys to a successful RV trip is not having an itinerary. "If we liked a place, we'd stay a few extra days. If the weather was bad we'd move on."

The Kings' trip to see America circled the country. They first headed south through Virginia to Florida; then west through Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and into California; then north through Oregon and Washington. Returning to Maine, they traveled across the northern states -- Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan's Upper Peninsula -- and through Canada.

"We learned a lot about our country and were impressed with how big it is," says King. "We did it in bite-sized chunks, driving one day and staying put for three or four days. We rarely drove more than 250 miles a day."

The Kings' RV came with all the comforts of home, including a kitchen, bedroom, bath and living room, and three slideouts that expanded living space with the push of a button. "It's one of the two or three most satisfactory products I've ever bought," says King. "I'm impressed by a device that has so much technology packed into it, and yet you can roll over bumpy roads at 65 miles an hour and everything still works when you get to the campground."

King was first elected governor of Maine in 1994, and re-elected in 1998. The state's term limits prohibited him from running again. He recently joined a Portland, Maine law firm as special counsel, and is teaching at Bowdoin College this spring.

For those thinking about RVing for the first time, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) offers these suggestions on how to get started:

  * Surf the web. The most comprehensive RV website, GoRVing.com, offers
    information on the RV travel experience, including campground listings
    and vacation planning suggestions.

  * Order a free video or CD-ROM. Call 1-888-Go RVing for a free video or
    CD-ROM of RV shopping and travel tips.  The video, which the Kings found
    very helpful during the planning phase of their trip, and CD-ROM also
    can be ordered on Go RVing's website, GoRVing.com, where you can link to
    lists of local dealers and campgrounds that cater to new RVers.

  * Rent an RV.  There are more than 460 RV rental outlets nationwide.
    Renting allows potential buyers to try RV travel and determine which
    type of unit best suits their needs.  Check the yellow pages under
    "Recreation Vehicle-Rentals" for your nearest rental outlet, or access
    the Recreation Vehicle Rental Association's (RVRA) website at rvra.org
    for the RVRA Rental Directory, which lists more than 340 rental
    companies in the United States and Canada.  RV rental costs vary
    depending on the season and size of the unit.

  * Visit an RV dealer.  To visit a local RV dealer, check the yellow pages
    under "Recreation Vehicle-Sales," or go to GoRVing.com and click on
    "Buying and Renting."

  * Attend an RV show.  A wide range of RVs appealing to every taste and
    budget can be found on display at retail shows across the country.  For
    a calendar of shows in your area, go to GoRVing.com under "Buying and
    Renting;" click on "RV Roundup," then go to RV Shows.