Volume 4

“Patty’s Charm” Travels All Seasons of the Year

Often RV travel grinds to a stop during the winter months, but not so for “Patty’s Charm.”  Owner, operator Ed Lonsbary of Private Motor Coach, Inc. won’t jeopardize passenger safety; but, if the roads are safe, he is ready to roll.

In January, Lonsbary drove two passengers, Dee and Lloyd Benedict, from their South Carolina Home to Beaver Creek Resort in Colorado.  This skiing vacation is an annual trip for the couple but they thought about changing their plans this year. So soon following the tragedy of nine-eleven, the Benedicts did not see flying as an option for travel.  After some surfing on the web, Private Motor Coach, Inc. became their choice for travel.  They traveled overland aboard “Patty’s Charm” to enjoy six weeks of winter fun!

“Travel should be year-round,” comments Lonsbary.  “Why stay home just because it’s not summer time? Our motto is: Anywhere, Anytime.”

Out-of-the-Ordinary Requests are No Problem for “Red Leader”

“I am often surprised by customer requests,” says Ed Lonsbary who uses the CB handle “Red Leader” when traveling along the highway.  “I was especially surprised when Dawn and Jim Brazee from Lafayette, Louisiana contacted me.”

Unlike most people who want to travel in the Private Motor Coach, Inc. luxury motorhome/bus conversion, this couple didn’t want to go anywhere!  They didn’t want a cross-country trip or a VIP-escorted ride for a group of friends.  Rather, the Brazee’s simply wanted a place to stay within the perimeter of the Houston Farm & Ranch Club where they were showing their family pets – a lab and a poodle. 

“This was a different request,” says Lonsbary. “But, our business is very custom. After a discussion with Jim, I decided to accommodate the request.”

On March 14^th, Lonsbary drove the motor coach known as “Patty’s Charm” south to Houston from his company base in Whitehouse, Texas.  And, he set-up the coach for the Brazee’s weekend stay at the Dog Show.

For two-days, “Patty’s Charm” served as a home base for Dawn and Jim where they could rest, cook, eat, sleep and entertain between the judging events at the Houston Dog Show.

“You name it, we can do it!” says Lonsbary.  “Custom remains the key ingredient in the service I provide through Private Motor Coach, Inc.  I’ll give thought and consideration to all customer inquiries asking ‘Can you do this?’ I always tell them, ‘No problem.’”

Private Motor Coach, Inc. offers luxury motorhome/bus conversion travel for leisure, business, or special needs anywhere in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Central America.

Private Motor Coach, Inc. President Ed Lonsbary Attends FMCA Winter Rally

For three-days Private Motor Coach, Inc. President Ed Lonsbary met with leaders of the recreational vehicle (RV) industry who supply and service bus conversions like his motor coach “Patty’s Charm.”  These industry representatives gathered in Perry, Georgia at the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) International Winter Rally “Southern Sensation” on March 19, 20, and 21.

As Lonsbary circulated among the vendor booths, his goal was to “go up the learning curve” and stay current with products, technology, and safety that he will apply to his knowledge base in operating his motor coach.

This FMCA rally, attended by nearly 500 vendors and more than 7,400 travel enthusiasts, gave Lonsbary the opportunity to expand his technical network and renew existing contacts as well.

While attending the rally ever conscious of safety, Lonsbary asked RV Safety Specialists with A’Weigh We Go to check the weight distribution of “Patty’s Charm.” A’Weigh We Go is a non-profit RV weight safety program designed to assist the RV industry – owners, dealers, suppliers, and manufacturers – with safety education to resolve the overweight problem of many RV’s.

Weight overload jeopardizes safety on the highway. It affects the reliability and durability of the RV.  And, there are legal implications if a RV is involved in an accident with an overloaded vehicle, especially if the RV exceeds manufacturer’s limitations.

“I would encourage all persons with RV’s to have their vehicle weight checked and verify safety compliance before going out for a camping weekend or vacation,” says Lonsbary.  He added, “My service to my customers is only as good as the safety and reliability of my motor coach/bus conversion. I was pleased that “Patty’s Charm” passed the weight safety inspection.”

In addition to the weight check at the FMCA rally, Lonsbary attended the MCI International Chapter meeting of persons who also have MCI motor coach/bus conversions.  And, he attended two seminars: All About Diesels and RV Electrical Circuits.

Private Motor Coach, Inc. is a luxury travel company that takes only 2 to 8 people on custom trips “Anywhere, Anytime” in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Central America.  This company is owned and operated by Ed and Patty Lonsbary of Whitehouse, Texas. 

Business Travel Becomes Family Affair

“Patty’s Charm,” driven by Private Motor Coach, Inc. President Ed Lonsbary, made a special three-day stop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama while traveling home to Texas from the Georgia FMCA International Convention.  The occasion for this stop came about because his wife Patty has been assigned by her employer Ketchum, Inc. to provide consultant services for a capital fund-raising campaign there.

Patty is developing strategies to help the Hospice of West Alabama raise $3.5 million to build an inpatient hospice facility that will care for the terminally ill who cannot remain at home for care in the traditional hospice way.

In a twist from Ed’s usual Private Motor Coach, Inc. role as an escort or “Big Brother,”

Patty took the lead in Tuscaloosa.  After each day of work with Hospice volunteers and staff, Patty took Ed to her two favorite restaurants: Dreamland for lip-licking barbecue ribs and cold beer and the Northport City Diner for rotisserie chicken and pecan pie.

Before heading west to Texas, Patty asked Ed to swing “Patty’s Charm” by the hospice offices so he could meet Hospice Executive Director Julie Sittason, Development Director Bess Miller, and others on the Hospice of West Alabama staff.

Patty will be on assignment at Hospice of West Alabama until February of 2003.          

Private Motor Coach, Inc. Adopts Old Tyler Road in Whitehouse, Texas

The “Don’t Be A Litterbug” Campaign of their childhood in the 1960’s left permanent impressions on Ed and Patty Lonsbary, owners and operators of Private Motor Coach, Inc.

When they lived in Pennsylvania’s North Park of Pittsburgh, you’d often see this couple with trash bags in hand, bending to pick-up a discarded pop can or food wrapper.  Occasionally, a runner or cyclist through the park would shout an appreciative “Thanks” when they passed.

You could also find Patty volunteering on the Greensburg section of the Route 66 clean-up team when she was a member of the Greensburg Rotary Club; and, later she helped the Rich-Mar Rotary Club clean -up litter along Route 910 in Gibsonia.

When the Lonsbary’s left Pennsylvania behind, they carried to Texas with them this anti-litter commitment. Now, they have adopted the 2-mile stretch of Old Tyler Road that runs past the frontage of their Whitehouse, Texas home.  They officially pitched in with the April 6, 2002 “Don’t Mess with Texas” statewide roadside clean-up day.  Eight volunteers helped Ed and Patty fill the back of a pick-up truck with cans, paper, miscellaneous discarded trash, and even a car windshield!  Other independent clean-up efforts are planned by the Lonsbary’s to occur at least 4 times per year or as needed.

“Give us a neighborly toot when you see Ed and I picking-up litter,” suggests Patty, “And, hold that litter for a proper trash receptacle. 

Sounding the Horn for Tradition

There are all kinds of traditions.  Most are associated with holidays like going to Grandma’s for Christmas Dinner or launching fireworks after dark on the 4^th of July.

Organizations have traditions too.  For example, some Rotary Clubs give new members a blue name badge to wear until their first year anniversary to be traded for the traditional red badge worn by those who have been around for awhile.  And, Boy Scout Packs in the northern US have become known for the tradition of starting each day at summer camp in the icy waters of the pool or lake for a 6 AM “Polar Bear Swim.” Brrrrrrr!

Traditions can be unique to ethnic groups.  The Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with gusto.  Germans have their Octoberfest.  And, Canadians have Boxing Day.

Family tradition can dictate that a college bound youth go to an Ivy League School; that a cedar chest made by an ancestor be passed to the oldest daughter in the family; or that on a specific date each year they gather for a family reunion.

Businesses adopt all kinds of gift-giving traditions too: a turkey at Thanksgiving, a birthday card from the President/CEO, and a watch given in honor of a retirement.  Why there is even a business that has a traditional way of passing out bonus money at the annual staff conference.  The consultants count aloud, “One, two, three, four….” as the sales manager lays down hundred dollar bills on the table in front of the hard working persons earning the cash commissions. 

Private Motor Coach, Inc. has its tradition as well. The tradition is simple: Each time a state line is crossed, the vehicle horn is tooted.

This simple tradition started before the company even existed. Ed Lonsbary, now President and Founder of Private Motor Coach, Inc., thought it fun to toot the horn of his Crown Vic every time he crossed a state line. The sound would celebrate that he and his passengers were coming closer and closer to their destination.  He even did this toot when cruising on his Honda Gold Wing, although this toot was just a baby one compared to the sound he makes now going across the state borders.

The loud BLAST now comes from the pair o f Buell Classic Air Horns mounted atop “Patty’s Charm” – a vintage 1982 MCI-9.  There is no telling how many times the deafening blast has announced the arrival of Private Motor Coach, Inc. and its passengers into a new state or province.  “Let’s just say a lot!” says Lonsbary.

“It’s a jubilant sound,” Lonsbary laughs aloud. “I try to make all trips fun in some way no matter how serious the passengers may be.  I just love getting a rise out of people and this is just an innocent way to get a smile. When I tell someone why I have sounded the horn the first time, it is not unusual for me to get a friendly reminder as a new border nears. Everyone – young and old - wants to hear that double ‘TOOT…TOOT’ when they read ‘Welcome to Alabama or Pennsylvania’ wherever we may be! ”

Private Motor Coach, Inc. is the travel innovation of Ed Lonsbary. Since 1999, he has been taking 2 to 10 people aboard his luxury motor coach anywhere roads can be traveled for vacations, business, special health needs, or simple day trips.  The website: http://www.privatemotorcoach.com will entertain you and show you a new way to travel. “TOOT…TOOT!”

Exploring Texas in “Patty’s Charm”

Traveling aboard “Patty’s Charm” spells family fun.  Patty and daughter Suzie often enjoy a luxury ride when Ed takes the wheel.

For March Spring Break, 13-year-old Suzie needed a ride to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for her Pittsburgh flight to visit family and friends in her former home of Pennsylvania. She felt like a celebrity music star arriving at the airport in the motor coach.

The same day as Suzie’s flight, Ed drove “Patty’s Charm” to Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, which is acclaimed to be the world’s largest honky-tonk.  Parking lot attendants thought the evening’s entertainment were aboard the coach so they waved them through, only later to discover no band, just Ed and wife Patty aboard! After listening to some live country music and a late night pizza, Patty could finally tell friends she’d been to Billy Bob’s, a Texas notable.

Another “Texas-Must-See” is First Monday in Canton.  This enormous flea market is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the first weekend of each month, never on a Monday as the name would suggest.  The name First Monday hangs on as a tribute to farmers who came to buy, sell, and trade crops and other products or services decades ago.  These folks did come to Canton on a Monday!

Ed, Patty, Suzie, and family dog Rusty joined the Easter weekend crowd for April’s First Monday.  With the coach parked 3-days at Summer RV Park as the family base, the trio searched for bargains and the unusual!  Ed wanted to find a birdbath.  Patty looked for something just to tickle her fancy.  And, Suzie wanted to buy tack gear for riding, plus see all the animals that were for sale.

Ed never did buy a birdbath, though he saw plenty.  Patty bought a fishing lure for her son Chris that is guaranteed to catch two fish at a time, and she paid a dollar each for three green-stemmed wineglasses to match a set at home.  Suzie got her tack gear: a riding crop, a colorful lead, and assorted brushes to groom the horses she rides at the BCRX Stable in Troup, Texas.  She even bought her favorite frozen treat called Dots.  But, what Suzie really wanted changed with each step through the animal section called “Dog Alley.”

First, Suzie begged for the puppy cradled in her arms.  Next, she wanted the little brown donkey. Until finally, she fell in love with an affectionate Appaloosa horse.  She would be happy if the family left Canton with more than dollar bargains; she wanted this horse.

Misty Blue won the hearts of the entire family.  And, Ed may have given in to Suzie’s pleading blue eyes, but laying out cash for a horse is not a typical “impulse buy.” Maybe someday Suzie will have a horse to call her own, just not yet.

As a final note, Easter Bunny did find his way to Canton and the motor coach.  He left Suzie a chocolate bunny and peanut butter melt-away eggs aboard “Patty’s Charm” for Suzie.

Our motto is... "Anywhere - Anytime"