Meet our Staff!
Ben & Pam Phillips:
Wagon Masters for Canadian Maritimes Caravan, Southern Charm and Amish Autumn.
Ben & Pam started their adventures with Yankee RV Tours in 2019. They have been Wagon Masters, Assistant Wagon Masters, and Tailenders for following tours: Northwest, Southwest, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Fall Foliage and Canadian Maritimes.
Ben & Pam are native Virginian’s. Ben retired from a Fire Suppression Company with 35 years of service and Pam retired from the State Government with 36 years of service. They have been enjoying
the RV life for over 31 years, spending the last 10 years as Full Time RV'ers.
They enjoy sightseeing, dining out, traveling, and making new friends. They are passionate about their family, their two Yorkies; Layla & Whisky, friends, helping others and learning about
the areas they visit. Their favorite Yankee tour is the Southwest National Parks & Canyons.
James "Buck" & Linda Buchanan:
Tailenders for Southern Charm tour.
Buck & Linda joined Yankee RV Tours in 2019 as Wagon Masters for the Northwest Expedition; Southwest National Parks & Canyons and Santa Fe/Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
Buck is from Savannah, GA and Linda from Highland Springs, VA. They have been full time RV'ers since 2020. They have been married 55 years. They have a daughter, a son and three grandchildren. Buck retired from the military after 38 years (Army 24 - Air Force 14). In his spare time Buck built and raced cars and karts. Linda retired from being an accountant and an official for softball, baseball & flag football.
They have always been outdoor people, camping included tents, popup campers, travel trailers, toy haulers, fifth wheels and motor coaches. They have visited and stayed in all but eight states in the USA. They both enjoy traveling, visiting new places and meeting new friends. They believe there is always something new to discover and another adventure around the corner.
Dan & Karen Carmichael:
Tailenders for St Patrick's Day in Savannah Rally, Great River Road caravan and Northeast Fall Foliage caravan.
Karen & Dan are originally from Pittsburgh, PA, now retired to sunny Summerfield, FL.
Their first caravan with Yankee was the fabulous Northwest along the Oregon Trail. This was the first time I saw herds and herds of wild buffalo. It provided so many good memories that we
had to schedule to go back to spend even more time exploring.
Some of the highlights from our caravans, in no particular order, for me was all the wild animals, the Albuquerque balloon festival where the balloons flew right above our RV, walking across the headwaters of Mighty Mississippi River, Lunch and exploring The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, and not to forget Savannah’s famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. And most importantly, are the lifelong friends we have made along the way while we share these once in a lifetime experiences.
Paul & Joanne Carr:
Support Staff - Photographers & Videographers
They bought their 1st (and only) RV in 2015 (2007 Fleetwood Bounder) and became full-time RV’ers. In 2015 they traveled the East Coast from Florida to Maine. The sights and wonder of the
states made them realize that there is much to see.
In 2016 they heard about Yankee Tours. Their eyes were opened to new opportunities and a whole new realm of searching the highways and byways. Their first outing with Yankee Tours was a
rally in Branson Missouri. It was there that they realized that there were a lot of pluses to being with a tour group. They saw and did more than they had in the previous two years. They still see
many of the tour members as they travel. Since then they have enjoyed adventures with Yankee on Northwest, the Santa Fe Rally and the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, Kennedy Space Center & the
classic Route 66 Main Street of America adventure. In 2022 they joined the Yankee Staff as tailenders on the Great River Road caravan.
As they start their 9th year as full-time RV’ers they can truly say that traveling the continental USA has been a joy and an opportunity to bask in the wonders that they find in this great
country. And they fully agree that traveling with Yankee RV Tours has made it an adventure that has come true. Here’s hoping they meet up on a tour and join you in your countrywide
adventures.
Dennis & Charlotte Heasty:
Wagon masters for Mississippi Great River Road and Northeast Red Maple Fall Foliage.
Retired only a few years, Charlotte from teaching 31 years and Dennis from management of retirement homes 20+ years. They have been full time RV'ers for 6 years. Besides travel Charlotte likes to
quilt and Dennis keeps up with college sports and is an avid reader.
They love being a part of the Yankee RV family. They met Rod at the Perry FMCA rally and were excited to go touring with him. They have been on the Key West rally, Savannah rally, Great River Road
tour, Canadian Maritime tour and Maple Fall Foliage.
Some favorite travel memories are seeing bison and eagles and walking across the source of the Mississippi and watching the change of leaves on the Kancamagus Trail and crossing the bar at Bar
Harbour. They now enjoy making new friends and planning fun adventures with their Yankee family. Excited to more travels and adventures.
Bob Jones & Tammy Varney:
Tailenders for the Canadian Maritime Caravan, Northwest Expedition Tour and the Amish Autumn Rally.
Bob and Tammy started their adventure with Yankee RV Tours in 2021. They have been Tailenders for the Southwest National Parks and Canyons Tour and the 50th International Albuquerque Balloon Festival Rally.
Tammy and Bob are from Carson, Virginia. Bob is retired from law enforcement with 25 years of service and Tammy is retired from nursing with 22 years of service. When they are not on the road, they enjoy spending time with their familie’s and their church family.
Bob has been enjoying RVing for over 30 years and Tammy has enjoyed living her dream of RVing for the last two years. They travel with their cat “Fee fee” and feel blessed to be able to enjoy traveling, sightseeing, good food and making new friends!
We have seen some of the most beautiful treasures this amazing country has to offer. We look forward to the many surprises and adventures that lie ahead with our Yankee family!
Tony & Barbara Magnanti:
Wagon Masters for American Mountain Music Tour, Assistant Wagon Masters for Northwest Expedition and Tailenders for the Best of Michigan Caravan. Additionally, they are a part of the sales team at industry events/rallies and the administrative staff,
Tony and Barbara are both originally from Long Island, NY, and have called Florida home for the past 31 years. They have three adult children, all of whom live and work in Southwest Florida. Both began camping in tents as kids, and continued to as adults in their Class B and Class A motorhomes.
After High School, Tony served our country as a US Marine. He then enjoyed a 30 year career in Public Safety, and 10 years as an Adjunct Professor at Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.
Barbara enjoyed a 30 year career in Healthcare Administration. Both held various responsible/leadership roles throughout their respective professional careers.
In 2019, when Tony and Barbara decided to "Make Today, Someday" they sold their home and became full time RV'ers. They have since traveled throughout the United States/Canada, taking in the beauty
and bounty that these great nations have to offer. They have enjoyed 5 Yankee RV Tours/Rallies thus far, and look forward to being a part of many more. They enjoy travel, good food, and making new
friends along the way. Their Yankee RV Tours highlight is having been able to take a hot air balloon ride during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with fellow caravaners.
Charlie & Wendy Parsels:
Co-hosts for Florida Space Coast and Key West Sunset Celebration Rallies and Tailenders for American Mountain Music Tour. Wendy is also the Webmaster and Social Media Coordinator for Yankee RV Tours.
Charlie and Wendy have been camping since they were small. In their 30+ years of marriage, they have camped in travel trailers, 5th wheels, truck campers and several Class C motorhomes.
They both retired from the military, Charlie was in the Marines and the Army for a total of 35-years of service. Wendy spent all 23-years of service in the Army. They met Rod over 15 years ago and he
kept telling them to join him on a caravan. When they did, they were hooked!
They have 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren scattered across the US, which facilitates their desire to travel. They enjoy exploring new places and finding the hidden gems
everywhere they travel. They love to camp, helping people and making new friends! They love the backstage tour at the Grand Ole Opry and being able to walk and sit where the stars do each week!