"One night we pulled into one stop. It was absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful, picturesque Athabasca Falls. It said No Overnight Parking, but I was extremely tired so I was willing to risk a ticket. We parked and took the kids for a walk by the waterfalls and by the time we got back to the camper the sun was starting to set and it was getting cold. Shirley was in the kitchen starting supper and I was in the back where the chesterfield was. I had turned on the TV, sat back in the chesterfield, leaned my head back on my crossed arm and when I turned my head to the side I came face to face with a bear on its hind legs looking into the camper. The kids were just going nuts but the bear waddled away, up the mountain."

Last February, Canada's Country Gentleman Tommy Hunter and his wife Shirley, renewed their love for RVing by purchasing a 40-foot Holiday Rambler Navigator from Sicard Holiday Campers in Smithville, Ontario. And although they enjoy reminiscing about their past experiences with their first motorhome, they would much rather hit the road in search of exciting adventures they can share together.

"We've just been get up and go and if we find someplace we like, we'll just stay two or three days," Tommy said. "It's nice to have the freedom, that's what it is all about."

Tommy and Shirley attended their first rally since sitting in the cockpit of their Navigator, when they headed to Sandy, Oregon for the Family Motorcoach Rally. After the rally they headed to California before making the trek back home and then planned on discovering PEI in October. However they also thoroughly enjoy day trips.

"A motorhome to me is really a two person thing," Tommy said. "First obvious question that people want to know is how many does our motorhome sleep and Shirley has the standard stock answer, she says, six for cocktails, four for dinner and sleeps two."

It is no mystery how Tommy Hunter and his family became involved with RVs. The first RV they had was a 25-foot Revcon that allowed Tommy the chance to be with his family.

"Tommy used to travel a fair bit and we thought, what a great way to travel with the kids." Shirley said. "He would have time off in the summer other than dates here and there and we would be together as a family for up to four weeks at a time." (Page Top)

The Hunters made their family adventures in their RV as educational and fun for their children as they possibly could. They took their three sons across Canada three times and showed them the U.S., coast-to-coast. They were able to visit the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore and all the historical sites possible.

"We would get Alfred Hitchcock mysteries and I would say to the kids 'make sure you have everything tucked in' and they would say 'Yes dad, we're going to sleep now' and we would put in one of these tapes," Tommy said. "They were so funny to listen to, they enjoyed the stories so much." (Right Photo: Tommy and his wife Shirley with their new 40-foot Holiday Rambler Navigator.)

As their boys became older, they lost interest, as did Tommy and Shirley. Although they had loved the experinece, they left RVing and thought they would never do it agai.

According to Shirley, the urge to RV resurfaced last year so they considered looking into motorhomes again. Despite being away from RVs for over 20 years, the Hunters had no problem driving their brand new coach.

"Some guy asked me if it took long getting used to driving it because it's been a fre years since I have driven a motorhome," Tommy stated. "Strange, but once you've applied the brakes a few times, checked you mirrors and you've gone through Detroit and Atlanta at rush hour, you've pretty well got it."

Tommy and his wife considered buying a bus but thought an RV, expecially the Holiday Rambler they purchased was and still is, just perfect.

"I look at it and I really get chomping at the bit. I love the sound of that engine when it fires up...it's a man thing I guess but she just hums going down the road," Tommy said with great anticipation.

According to Tommy, people who don't RV cannot relate to the convenience of owning a motorcoach.

"It's like having a hotel with you," the Country legend said. "We were talking to people last night and they asked 'what do you do when you get tired', and we said, we just pull over and stop. They had trouble figuring out it's just like being in your home. You can turn on the television, have a grilled cheese sandwich, put your feet up and watch whatever you want. They were amazed."

Now residing in Aberfoyle, Ontario, Tommy and his wife are in close proximity to their grandchildren and sons. However, they can hit the road in style when they feel adventurous or when Tommy has a show to perform.
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(Read full story in Vol.31 No.1) (Page Top)