The LUV SHAK is becoming a landmark on wheels

Heartland Recreation Vehicles

(Dec. 22, 2006) — Kathleen and Vance Hamilton of Crowley, La., commissioned artist Robert Baxter to transform their Landmark fifth wheel into one of the most eye-catching vehicles to ever hit the road.

ELKHART — There’s a unique RV traveling the roads of North America these days, and everywhere it goes, it causes heads to turn, mouths to drop open, people scrambling for their cameras, and most of all – smiles.

What is it about this fifth wheel trailer that is causing so much commotion? It’s the incredibly unique murals that cover every square inch of the coach. The fifth wheel is a Landmark model built by Heartland Recreational Vehicles, Elkhart, Ind., but the “LUV SHAK” is quickly becoming its own “Landmark.”

Kathleen and Vance Hamilton of Crowley, La., commissioned artist Robert Baxter to transform their Landmark fifth wheel into one of the most eye-catching vehicles to ever hit the road. Baxter’s work shines in the hand-painted flowers, dragonflies, stunning sunsets, lush flower gardens and even a scene reminiscent of the rice and crawfish fields near in their hometown.

What on earth were the Hamiltons thinking when they had large colorful murals full of tree frogs, a lizard and even a castle wall painted on their home? “We just love RVing and we’ve never been ones to stick with the status quo,” states Kathleen.

Retired from over 30 years of teaching at Crowley Middle School, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, Kathleen had dreamed of retiring to the RV lifestyle since she was in college. “It all started when a friend asked me to travel to Gatlinburg, Tenn., with her family in a pop-up camper. I enjoyed the trip immensely and was hooked for life,” shares Kathleen.

“Even marriage and kids couldn’t slow me down. I remember once I packed up four young children, a dog, and a tent. We traveled to all 64 parishes in Louisiana!” she reports.

“My husband, Vance, and I discussed going full time for some years. But, we wondered if we could live together in a small space for an extended period, and live to tell about it. We decided we needed to find out before we took the plunge. So the summer before last, we bought a pop-up camper and headed out to Montreal to visit one of our daughters. We were gone for 45 days…… and we survived!

“The lifestyle of the RVer gives you the opportunity to go where you want, see what you want, and the biggy is, WHEN you want. You only have the open road ahead and the memories behind as you pursue this lifestyle.

“As we approached retirement, we started to do research on the different types of RVs. After reading articles from RV magazines, online information, forums and books, and attending RV shows and visiting RV lots, we decided on a fifth wheel over a motorhome because of the maintenance of two vehicles. The fifth wheel also had better stability and more room than other RVs. We chose a Heartland Landmark Grand Canyon for its luxurious features and full-time friendliness. Soon afterwards, we renamed the coach our ‘Luv Shak,’” she added.

The artist, Robert Baxter, first sketched the colorful design on the outside shell. Amazingly, rather than use an air brush he chose to paint the entire work with a bristle brush. He used a metal base automotive paint, protected with a matted clear coat finish. The entire process took about two weeks. One of the neatest things about this coach is every part of the mural has a story behind it which not only makes it special to the Hamiltons, but also provides for great campfire and roadside conversations.

“We have traveled many miles since the middle of June,” shares Kathleen, “and as we travel down the highways, people slow down, stare, and without fail, begin to SMILE. Whenever we stop, the cameras immediately come out. Sometimes people will be shy, not knowing if we want pictures. But, we expect it and enjoy providing a photo op to the photographers. One lady was trying to hide behind a tree and take a picture. (We can see the flash, babe!) We chuckled and invited her over for the tour.”

“When we came through Jackson, Miss., we were making a left turn at an intersection, and the rest of the traffic just stopped moving. Everyone stopped right there in the middle of the road, smiling and giving us the thumbs up as we passed by.”

When we pull into a campground, people come out of the woodwork to ask questions and take pictures. Often someone will ask why we did this, and the answer always seems to be “Because it makes people happy.” And it reaches people in different ways. A child can look at it and enjoy it, and someone who might be familiar with art can look at it and see just how much talent Robert has as an artist.”

Funny Stories

Wherever we park, not only do we get curious people, but even the animals and insects seem enthralled. While in Louisiana, the cicadas used the Luv Shak as there shedding room. They attached themselves to the unit and left their old shell behind.

Butterflies often surround us and try to land on the flowers.

Once, as we were sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze from the north, a hummingbird came by and tried to extract nectar from the magnolias. The hummingbird backed off and hovered for a moment, looking puzzled, and then tried the pink flowers, again to no avail. Disappointed, it flew away, but not before leaving us with another lasting memory from the Luv Shak.

The Hamiltons are available to make appearance at dealer shows and rallies. They can be reached by e-mail at thehamiltons2000@yahoo.com.