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Recreational vehicles let visitors to Sparta enjoy their home comforts

BY LES WINKELER, The Southern

Monday, August 11, 2008 11:15 PM CDT

SPARTA - Cindy Lonneman of Worthington, Minn. sat outside her recreational vehicle Saturday afternoon, leisurely brushing Ben and Dusty, her playful Labrador retrievers.

With the prospect of a 10-day stay at Sparta's World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Lonneman brought all the comforts of home with her � including the dogs. The campgrounds at the WSRC have space for about 1,000 RVs.

Lonneman experienced Southern Illinois summers while her husband competed in The Grand American the last two years. Having the recreational vehicle was literally a lifesaver.

"At least this year it's not so hot," she said. "You can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. It would have been a nightmare being in the heat, extremely hot and sleepless nights.

"I brought my bicycle last year and rode after 9 p.m. to stay out of the heat."

Lonneman said it would have been unbearable trying to survive in a tent the past two years.

The RV is equipped with a full kitchen, satellite television (three TVs, including one outside), DVD player, shower and wind-sensitive awnings. The awnings automatically roll up when the wind reaches a particular velocity.

"We had to re-set the television to get the St. Louis weather out here," she said.

The recreational vehicle provides all the comforts of home. It even allows the Lonnemans to do some entertaining.

"There are several shooters that came over here and asked what I baked," she said. "They brought a bunch of peaches so I had to make peach cobbler."

And, despite the high cost of fuel, the vehicle burns diesel, Lonneman said it is an economical way to travel. It is about a 12-hour drive from Worthington to Sparta.

"Just paying for a motel, the fuel that it took to come down here, it was probably less than what we would pay for a motel," she said. "We can eat our meals here."

The RV also has a large storage compartment in the back where her husband can stow his golf cart, their bicycles and other toys.

In addition, there is the comfort factor.

With heat baking the WSRC the last two years, Lonneman said her husband could come in off the range and relax in air conditioned comfort without climbing into a car and driving to a motel.

And, although she said the dogs are good travelers, they also appreciate the RV.

"I can put their food and water in the shower and they and go back there," Lonneman said.

The RV is truly a home away from home.

"Last year I stayed inside and I brought my sewing machine and did some quilting," she said.

Lonneman showed off the quilts she's made, currently decorating the two beds inside the vehicle. She brought the sewing machine this year, but so far the weather has allowed her to enjoy the fresh air.

les.winkeler@thesouthern.com

351-5088