howa@homesonwheelsalliance.org

Blog

Win an eBike!

    Update: A live drawing was held on Sep 16, 2020. Darcy Irvin and Eric Fritchin were the eBike winners. Congratulations to both of the winners!

Thank you to all who donated and raised $7,540.00 for HOWA’s programs!

Thank you to Lectric eBikes for donating two Off-Road Electric Bicycles to support the work and mission of Homes On Wheels Alliance.  We are excited to form this partnership to assist members in need within the mobile community. We’ll have two drawings, one for each bike on Sept 16th during Bob Wells’ Live Feed. Plan to join us there!

The XP is your gateway to adventure. The 500W motor allows you to cruise at speeds up to 28MPH and conquer any hill in your path. The bike is powered by a high-performance LG battery that will reach ranges of 25-50 miles. Comes standard with a rack and fenders for all your adventuring. Front and rear lights come integrated into the bike’s control system ensuring a safe riding experience. Up front, a centrally mounted LCD computer display shows battery level, current speed, pedal assist level, and trip distance. The plush seat, adjustable handlebars, and ergonomic grips make for a comfortable ride all day long. The 4″ anti-puncture tires provide comfort and stability on road as well as traction and control off-road. The bike can fold down to a fraction of its size so it can be easily transported with you.

Read more

HOWA’s YouTube Channel

The first video on HOWA’s channel was posted on September 27, 2019 to celebrate the 1st birthday of HOWA and to document the presentation of a minivan to the first recipient.  What a fun day!

  Since then videos have been made to share the WRTR and RTR seminars and experiences with people who could not be there in person. The latest videos are recordings of Virtual Caravan Classes that cover a range of topics such as boondocking and eating healthy.

 Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi2WjYQPAEdDw-eEGgtni5A/videos  Please consider joining and leaving comments about what you like and what you want to see in the future. Don’t forget to give a thumbs up to the videos that you enjoyed watching!

Read more

A Huge Thank You to all of the WRTR and RTR Volunteers

The WRTR and RTR could not happen without the team of volunteers who gladly contribute their time to keep everything running smoothly. Volunteers help with assembling the shade canopies; manning the tables for name buttons, tee shirts, first aid, media, free pile, and information; directing traffic; presenting seminars; providing entertainment; and doing the final break-down and cleanup.

The job comes with a few perks – parking close to the action and a barbecue lunch on the last day – prepared and served by volunteers! If you would like to volunteer fill out the form HERE.

We are all hoping that it will be safe to have large gatherings next year and the tradition of the RTR and the WRTR will continue in January of 2021!

Read more

The 10th Annual RTR!

When Bob Wells started the RTR in 2011 no one dreamed that it would become so large so fast. From a gathering of fewer than 50 people, the RTR attendance swelled to many thousands in 2019 and outgrew the site at Scadden Wash, east of Quartzsite, Arizona, where it had been held for years. After months of searching for a different location with little success, Suanne Carlson, HOWA executive director who took over the management of the RTR and WRTR in July 2019, and her team of assistants developed a new plan- the RTR would be held at the  La Paz County Fairgrounds and attendees would camp on BLM public land.While this wasn’t a perfect solution, because the part of the fun of the RTRs is camping in a large group, everything worked very well. New nomads and nomads-to-be attended the seminars then camped for the night with HOWA Caravans. Nomads who had attended RTRs in previous years gathered with friends at camping areas scattered across the desert. Most had no need to attend the seminars but they still enjoyed the spirit of the RTR gathering.

The fairground’s stage and bleachers made a good setting for the seminars. Smaller break-out sessions were held in an open area of the fairgrounds. Booths were set up for HOWA information, name buttons, tee shirts sales, first aid, media passes, free pile donations, and information on the Nomad Chapter of DBSA. LectricBikes, a HOWA supporter, brought several electric bikes for RTR attendees to test ride. A talent show and nomad game show added to the fun.

Planning for the 2021 RTR and WRTR  is difficult because of the uncertainty surrounding the safety of large gatherings due to coronavirus. If it’s safe we hope to see all of you at the RTR and/or the WRTR in 2021!

Read more

Solar Award Volunteers

Generosity and giving back are important elements of  HOWA’s programs. Every person helped is encouraged to participate to the level of their ability.  A large group of volunteers gathered to help with the distribution of the solar panel kits. Volunteers included Bob Wells, president of HOWA, Suanne Carlson, executive director, HOWA trustees and team members, and recipients of HOWA’s programs.

A huge thank you to Santan Solar for the donation of solar panels and Berger Foundation for funding the accessories.

 

Read more

Recipients Receiving Solar Panels Kits

All 37 solar panel recipients received a 245W panel, charge controller, wiring, mounting hardware, fuses, and connectors. Ideally, HOWA would have also provided a battery but funding wasn’t available for 37  batteries so the battery purchase was left up to each recipient. Before receiving their kits recipients were given a brief review of the components and the correct order for assembling the system. A team of volunteers helped load and secure the solar panels in each recipient’s vehicle.

A huge thank you to Santan Solar for the donation of solar panels and Berger Foundation for funding the accessories.

Read more