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Show Lifetimes September 18, 2003 stey S"j3)n by Beth Young at!; FE OOnDD FfflmmefflifflDDi) H7top 77mes staff If your home had wheels where would you go? For many people, the answer is anywhere they want, and Hill AFB is just one of the many stops along the way. Recreational vehicles, or RVs as they are more commonly known, fill Air Force Famcamps across America. From militreks to young families tary retirees making on vacation, RVing is quickly growing in popularity, says Howard Bebout, Hill's Famcamp manager. Hill's Famcamp sees more than 5,000 RVs pull into their entrance every year. Visitors come in many varied vehicles, from tents to 52 footers, and the campground is equipped with 28 pads with full sewer, water and power, and 14 overflow pads to accommodate them all. Anyone who has access to the base can use the facility. "The average person that comes through here will stay anywhere from three to seven days," said Bebout. "I do get drive-in- s who stay one day but those are very few. Usually when they come in for that one day, and see what we have to offer, they want to stay longer." Visitors to the Famcamp are welcomed by a road that lays beneath a row of trees, and Bebout, who helps them settle into their spot. Bebout both lives and works at the Famcamp. The small trailer he uses as an office is littered with travel books and has a constant flow of visitors coming to sign in. As the camp manager, Bebout welcomes each visitor with a map of the base and the camp, along with his usual sermon the speed limit is 10 mph, the phones are over here, the laundry and shower are here. In addition to his managerial duties, Bebout has also taken on the unofficial roles of weatherman, traffic cop and travel agent. When asked by a camper the elevation of Utah, he answers as quickly as if asked his name "There is a lot to see here. I send hundreds of people to Antelope Island every year. And of course I have maps of downtown Salt Lake and lots of brochures," he said. "I can meet the interest of anyone, from bird watching to genealogy." For many who pass through Hill's gates, RVing, is a way of life. Bebout says 65 to 70 percent of the Famcamp's visitors are retirees who spend the majority of the RV. Some don't even have a permanent in their year traveling cross-countr- y sun-dappl- 'V; .L, ""ii ALASKA "We have been to every state. It is a great life we never get bored," said Joe Kutcher, a who lives with his wife in their RV. They have been traveling, without a permanent home, for 10 years. Although the Kutchers have no permanent home, their RV, as with most, is equipped with all the comforts of home. From Photos by Beth Young central vacuums to computers, A visitor to Hill, hooks his RV up to the Famcamp services as he settles In for water, sewer and electric RVs come complete with whathis stay. ever travelers can think of. "We have two television sets, so I can watch the ballgames a year in a condo in Florida, and the rest of the time in the RV traveling around the country." in back, and my wife can watch the soaps," said Kutcher. Eliason and his wife, Georgia, have been to every major baseThe comforts of home are something military families often ball park in America and say they wouldn't want life any other go without when they are in the process of moving to a new way. No matter where they are, RVers can feel at home and base. Besides being a great way to see the country, many milthe Eliasons, like most RVers, have a routine for settling in. itary members find PCSing can be easier with a motor home When they arrive at a new camp they have a checklist of things including Hill's Brig. Gen. Denny Eakle, Ogden ALC vice set-u- p an American outdoor as commander. their such do, flag, put up they "We did the change of command at Kirkland AFB, N.M., table and chairs and even put out a welcome mat. "We are very organized. You have to be living in a small space. on a Friday and on Sunday we rolled into Hill's Famcamp," This is the influence the Air Force had on me," said Eliason. said Eakle. "Owning an RV changes your entire approach to a PCS move. You deliberately intend to stay in it until your While it may be a small space, RVers have the entire counV'"v OK -o full-tim- er BUST household goods are delivered." Eakle continued to stay in the Famcamp for a week until her house was unpacked and in order. home. "It makes life an awful lot easier. Once you have done a move "Your whole life is like a vacation when you are RVing," said with an RV you'll never want to go back it's so much sim Vern Eliason, a Famcamp visitor. "We spend five to six months when you have your house with you, she said. pler ywwp ITT .;v'T Because military members often live far from . their families, the Famcamp offers another advan1 ' 1 , a place for the intage to those living on base I laws to stay other than the pullout couch. "Active duty members can have their relatives stay here it helps to alleviate some of the problems of relatives conglomerating on to the family member's home," said Bebout. "There is more of a chance of them getting a spot here and being comfortable, allowing relatives to enjoy their visit." Whether vacationing, visiting family or PCSing, the Hill Famcamp visitors are just as varied as their reasons for visiting. "I had a couple who comes up here twice a year ' V: just to get into the square dancing scene with people they have met around the country," said Bebout "You get all kinds of people. At the end of August I had a helicopter (pilot) reunion." Even with the wide range of interest, Hill's Famcamp has something for every visitor. "It is a park that offers things to all kinds of r.'vr campers. And not all Famcamps can say that. Hill has one of the nicer Famcamps. The view is phenomenal. It is so convenient to the primary services that most RVers would be looking for BX, Commissary," said Eakle. "It is a wonderful central location for anybody who has never been to Utah. If their units are properly insulated it's even a great place to come for skiers." r : With all its amenities, Hill's Famcamp seems like a good cure for many a traveler's wanderlust and Hill will welcome them all with open arms and an 'A open pad at the Famcamp. "The word out there on the road is to stop at Hill," The Murray family spends time with their grandma and grandpa, who are spending two weeks at the Famcamp. In addition to their two dogs, the grandparents says Bebout. full-time- rs Tl rt 1 try as their backyard. "The RV life can be a lot of fun but you do have to have the attitude for it because it is confined," said Bebout. "I had one customer tell me the nice thing about RVing is if you don't like somebody you can pack up and leave." v- 1. 1 n 'kbti-- l lA-- also brought a cousin to visit their AFA LI Hill family. Chili Program manager. The fund, which must last all year until the next cook-of-f goes toward everything from emergency childcare to pool parties. "When spouses are deployed it is sometimes a hardship on families and, in particular, the spouse that is left behind to take care of the kids by themselves," said Beth Fnetas Transi- Hilltop Times staff For nearly a decade, the annual Air Force Association Chili Cook-of- f has not only given attendees the chance to sample endless bowls of spicy concoctions, but more importantly, proceeds from the event have given the Fam- ily Support Center the chance to assist Hill families when their loved ones are deployed. held will be held at This year's cook-of- f Park pavilCentennial at the noon, Sept. 27, ion and is open to all who have access to the bcisc Northern Utah Chapter of the AFA contributes 100 percent of the proceeds from this event to the Waiting Families Fund. This contribution has allowed the Family Readiness Program within our Family Support Center to provide unparalleled support and activities for families at Hill AFB," said Master Sgt. Kevin Padberg, Family Readiness i heats things up Cook-of- f by Beth Young "The '-- f, tion Assistance Program , manager. "These activi ties allow families not only to have fun, but to come together and support one another." Proceeds from this event fSFf Road Kill chili, Cadaver chili and even FlatPadberg. "As the Readiness and Hearts Apart ulent Stu chili. Cook-of- f teams are still welcome to put Program specialist, I see firsthand from their benefit the best recipe to the test. There is no cost how these families said to enter the competition and ingredient costs proceeds of the Chili Cook-off,- " can be refunded. Those interested in just Carol Miller. "By helping the fam ilies, the military member tasting should bring their antacid and $4 can look forward to happy for individuals or $8 per family for an bowl. morale calls and know their loved "The more people we have participate in ones are being supported so either by cooking chili or eatthey can focus on their the cook-ofmission." ing it, the more families we can care for in In addition to helping a the coming year," said Padberg. i All that chili tasting is bound to cause quite good cause and creating gal lons of chili, the cook-of- f is a a thirst and Services will provide a variety of refreshments for every palate. At the end spicy, prizes will be given for Best good time. Cook- - of the cook-ofoff teams do whatever they can to Chili, Most Unusual, Best Presentation and get the attention of crowds and judges People's Choice. However, the real winners in the hopes of winning a prize are the families at Hill who get the support most teams dress up to match they need. For more information on how to enter the the theme of their chili. Previous year's cook-o- f fs have seen cook-of- f contact Amy Vidrine at 17 ft f "HAS f, reaches touch families from nearly every Hill organi zation. If it doesn't help your family directly, then it has helped a friend or coworker, said i 525-356- 3. |