Checklist for Snowbirding

It’s that time of year – the time when most RVers either revel in the memories of the summer camping season and wait for spring, or become Snowbirds and head to warmer weather for the winter.

If you’re the latter, there are some things to consider and to take care of before packing up for the winter. For those who have done this before, it’s routine, but for someone new to Snowbirding, there is a good way to do it.

First of all, Snowbirds are simply people going to warmer climates for the winter – like birds traditionally fly south for the winter. Once, the Snowbird lifestyle was considered only for the wealthy and the famous. Today, however, the Snowbird lifestyle is for anyone, and includes many RVers. Some of the most popular destinations in the United States for RVing Snowbirds are Florida, Arizona and Texas.

But before you hit the road, there are some things you should do.

First, know where you’re going. Don’t expect that just because it’s winter there won’t be many RVers. That’s just not true. In fact, according to the American Camper Profiles & Perspectives study, conducted by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), 5 percent of active campers are Snowbirds, as are 11 percent of total RV owners.

So, make your reservations!

And, decide what to do with home services while you are gone, including mail delivery. You can have the U.S. Post Office hold your mail, but if you have bills and other items that you need to take care of on a regular basis, you may want to consider a mail service. These services send your mail to you at your snowbird destination, and can change that destination if you’re moving from one RV location to another during the winter months. Just make sure you check out the service you’re using and get references.

Most RV clubs offer mail services to their members including the Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA), the Good Sam Club and the Escapees RV Club.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you’ll need employment while away from home and enjoying the warm-weather region.

Working RVers – known as Workampers™ - find temporary employment while on the road. These jobs can be found through newspapers, online listings, and other options, but Workamper News is a service that caters directly to RVers. Many of the listings handled by the newspaper include positions with campgrounds and RV parks, theme parks and a variety of other venues. Payment for positions varies, and sometimes may include the value of a site when working at RV parks. Make sure you understand all the terms and that the compensation is at least equal to the applicable minimum wage, according to Workamper News.

For those who aren’t seeking employment, check out your destination area to ensure you’ll be happy in your home away from home for the winter months. Talk to others who have visited your destination and ask for recommendation of things to do. And remember, many of the Snowbird destinations cater to an older crowd, so take them up on their activities and outings. Remember, they know the area and their business is keeping their winter guests happy.

Once you have all your details in place, leave your cares behind with the cold weather and enjoy the winter sun.

Next month we’ll look at whether there is a winter season for traveling RVers or families who still like to take their rigs out for the weekend.

Winterizing isn’t a welcome time

For many campers and RVers, putting away the gear for winter is a chore that must be done, but not without remorse that the camping season is over.

While many Snowbirds take to the road and head to warm weather states for the winter, many of us are still tied to a job or kids in school, or both, and must put our rigs away for the next camping season. It’s almost like putting the Christmas and New Year’s decorations away after a festive holiday season.

But when it comes to winterizing your RV, there are items you shouldn’t forget.

Winterizing the RVs water system is the most important piece of winterizing your unit.

Complete steps should be in your RV owner information.

There are also suggestions for RVs not stored inside, such as wheel covers and tarps to protect it from the elements.

While instructions and suggestions for preparing your unit for winter can be found in your owner’s manual or RV papers, don’t fear, if this is something you don’t want to do yourself, or don’t feel confident. Most RV service centers offer winterizing services, and can give you suggestions for storage. Just make an appointment, hitch up your RV one more time, and take it to the pros. Once it’s done, you can take it home for winter storage.

For those of you who can still get out and enjoy the RV, there are some great winter destinations, and below are just a few of the many great parks available.

Florida:

Whispering Palms in Sebastian, Fla. caters to the 55-plus crowd with 572 sites in its RV resort and manufactured home community. Situated along Florida's Treasure Coast, Sebastian offers beaches, fishing, and an average year-round temperature of 73 degrees. Whispering Palms amenities include: activities, billiards, dancing, outdoor games, a lake, Internet access, tennis and pets are welcome. In addition, there is a recreation room and library. There is also nearby golfing, sailing and windsurfing and numerous fishing and sightseeing opportunities.

Whispering Palms Mobile Home and RV Community, 10305 US Hwy #1, Sebastian, Fla. 32958; (800) 414-0814, (772) 589-3481; fax: (772) 589-3477; e-mail whisperingpalms@bellsouth.net

Indian Creek RV Resort is a Florida 55+ Community with numerous amenities, including shuffleboard courts, five tennis courts, three heated pools, spas, 21 private lakes and Wi-Fi, and just a short bike ride form Ft. Myers Beach. Nearby activities are boating, fishing, shelling, golf, museums, historic homes, nature preserves, dog racing, and major league baseball spring training.

The resort offers 1,204 sites, with various options, including pull-thru sites, 50-amp service and full hookups. Other site amenities include phone service, cable TV and Internet access.

Indian Creek, 17340 San Carlos Blvd., Ft. Myers Beach, Fla. 33931; (800) 967-0138.

Arizona:

Prospectors RV Resort is a two-season park open year-round with activities planned for each season. The 96 full hookup sites include cable TV, Internet access and phone service. Other amenities include a heated pool, spa, game room, laundry room, fitness room, and organized activities that include ice cream socials, bingo, popcorn and movie night and organized dinners and holiday events.

Prospectors RV Resort, 4750 N. London Bridge, Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 86404; (928) 764-2000, fax: (928) 764-2108.

Voyager at Juniper Ridge is in the White Mountains and offers a 9-hole golf course, tennis court, bocce, shuffleboard, billiards, pool, hot tub, craft rooms, entertainment, and a fishing lake. The 529 sites include 17 pull thru sites, 125 50-amp sites and 125 full hookups. There are also four Cabins and six RV rentals available.

Voyager is an adult Park.

Voyager at Juniper Ridge, 1993 Juniper Ridge Drive, Show Low, Ariz. 85901; (186) 653-4345; info@juniperridgerv.com; www.juniperridgerv.com.

Shangri-La RV Resort is family-owned and operated with a swimming pool and spa, planned activities, shuffleboard, horseshoes, volleyball and free cable TV. The 302-site resort offers 18 pull thru sites; 302 30-amp, 302 50-amp, and 302 full hookup sites, as well as an RV rental. Additional amenities include concrete patios, a marina, planned recreation and it is equestrian friendly.

Shangri-La RV Resort, 10498 North Frontage Road, Yuma, Ariz. 85365; (928) 342-9123; info@shangrilarv.com; www.shangrilarv.com.

Texas:

Bay Colony RV Resort is located just 20 minutes outside of Houston and offers 71 full hookup sites with private patios. Amenities include: cable TV hookup, swimming, Internet access, laundry and a pool, and pets are welcome. The resort is also near the ocean, surfing, fishing, golf, shopping and sightseeing opportunities.

Bay Colony RV Resort, 217 FM 517 W, Dickinson, Texas 77539; (866) 442-2978, (281) 614-5252, fax: (281) 614-1999; e-mail: bay_colony@verizon.net.

Amarillo Ranch RV Park has large pull-thru sites, an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, and is pet friendly. With 64 full hookup sites, 25 offer pull thru access. Amenities include cable TV, Internet access, phone service and complimentary coffee and donuts.

Amarillo Ranch RV Park, 1414 Sunrise Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79104; (806) 373-4962; info@amarillorvranch.com; www.amarillorvranch.com

Have a great winter camping season!

Summer’s coming to a close

The end of summer is looming and I can neither believe it’s almost over nor am I ready for it to be over.

It seems like it was just a few days ago when we were shopping for our new camper and planning a two-week excursion in our new home on wheels. But it wasn’t just yesterday and it really is almost the end of summer – at least unofficially.

After this Labor Day holiday weekend, kids who haven’t already returned to school will do so and many families will pack away their RVs and campers until next spring.

I both love and hate this time of year. While I really love the crisp days of fall and the cool evenings, as well as my son’s high school football games, I really miss the carefree days of summer and the more frequent camping trips.

We do have some fall camping planned, but it won’t be on as regular a schedule as our summer camping. Maybe just a couple of times out, and likely near home because of late Friday night games.

But that will be for a future note. Right now I’m planning for our last big hurrah weekend of camping.

We’re going to Gordon's Camping Resort, just a few miles north of Kendallville in northern Indiana, about an hour from our home. The 75-acre campground doesn’t take reservations and has never turned a camper away, but we’re taking our camper up Thursday night just to be safe.

We have that Friday night football thing to deal with, so we didn’t want to lose out on our choice site by waiting until late Friday or early Saturday to get there.

The campground has sites for almost any preference, from open lawns, to wooded and shaded sites, and all with water, electricity and 20/30/50 AMP electrical connections.

But it’s not just the sites that have us interested. I’ve heard from people for many years that this is a nice place to go and we just haven’t made the outing, but with the list of activities, I think we’re going to have a great time.

My daughter and her friend – both nearly 13 – will have a grand time with all of the events planned, from kids Bingo, to hay rides, to a dance, the two girls should have a wonderful weekend. The heated swimming pool will be nice for the lazy afternoons, as well.

And our son, who will join us after work on Saturday, will be bringing a friend to admire the local scenery as they put it. And to get that last long weekend of doing nothing before the really intenseness of the senior year of high school sets in.

Even the weatherman is cooperating. He’s calling for sunny days and warm skies, but not the horrible heat we’ve been having. Now, if we could just get the gas stations to cooperate, but staying fairly close to home should keep our costs down.

AAA is calling for a flat holiday weekend with travel growing only .02 percent, even with the average fuel price at around $2.79 per gallon – lower than last year. AAA estimates that 34.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, almost the exact same number that traveled last Labor Day. According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), travelers' perception of higher costs for fuel, lodging and airfares have resulted in the small growth in Labor Day travelers from 2006.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get out in the RV. While the gas may cost you, the lodging is reasonable and so is the entertainment. Firewood is inexpensive, and you have to eat even if you are at home.

So, pull up a camp chair, grab a hotdog stick and let’s go camping!

The Campground Can Break an Outing

Camping with family and friends just doesn’t get any better than when you find the perfect campsite and have wonderful weather. However, the weather will be what it will be, so make sure the site works for you.

On a recent camping excursion we caught up with my dad and mom, sister and her family, brother and his family, and two grown nephews and their fiancé/girlfriend to do some camping at a state park in northern Michigan. Since this is near where I grew up and this is a state park my grandma took me to for many day trips as a kid – and we’ve camped there in the past, quite a while ago and several popup campers ago – I thought this would be great. Things sure change over time!

The state park camping facilities, like many state parks, need some updating attention. With trees in the way and very uneven sites, it isn’t easy maneuvering into a site, especially from the narrow roads. While we don’t have a mammoth trailer, at 29 feet, it does use up it’s own space.

Finally, we were in our space and since my family was there and the weather was decent, we could claim a successful trip. But wait, that was before we visited the lake and beach area that I grew up loving!

No longer is there a lifeguard on duty and the beach is not what I remember. And what happened to the HUGE swing set and merry-go-round? And what, no cotton candy or snow cones in the concession? Apparently, a new concessionaire has taken over and decided to trim down the offerings, both in food and in the souvenir shop. There’s nothing worse than realizing you can’t go back!

But wait, there’s more. I took my 3-year-old twin nieces to the lake to swim. They were catching minnows, splashing around and having fun, and because I’ve never been bothered before, we ignored the swimmer’s itch sign and went in anyway. I’ve still never had a reaction, but one of my nieces did and she suffered tremendously from the itching!

Maybe that’s why the once crowded beach had room for any visitor, and then some.

Now, just so you don’t think I’m condemning this place, I have many happy memories here from my childhood. But I think there used to be more care given to the facilities and the operations.

This is the campground where we got squirrels to run up our legs and take peanuts from our hands when I was probably 10. This is also the park where I spent long days swimming, playing and running with newfound friends as my grandma lounged in the shaded area when we took that special day off from the farm to spend a day at the beach. So, I have not ill feelings about the park. And I’ve stayed in beautiful state parks, so I don’t dislike them.

Now fast-forward a couple of weeks later to a private park just 20 minutes from there, just a few miles from my family’s farm in Mesick, and there you have a park that offers large, roomy sites for bigger campers and easy access roads.

While the attractions are still mainly the natural waterways and outdoor recreation, there is more attention to detail here.

This is also a park that brings back memories. I grew up swimming at the beach and few choice spots with swinging ropes at this Manistee River backwaters. I also spent some camping trips here with just my sister and me and my parent’s popup camper when we were teenagers. Yes, we were good – my dad could show up any time, and he did.

My family’s also camped here several times in the past 15 years. This was my daughter’s favorite place to make “dirt angels” when she was 3.

Since it’s early years, it has had groomed hiking trails added, which are great for runners or hikers. I’ve jogged the trails many times, and even searched them for my daughter once when she went too far with a puppy.

Northern Exposure Campground for this trek was one of relaxation. With sites right on the water, and large enough to easily accommodate our 29-foot trailer and it’s small slide, things were already much better.

The weather also seemed to cooperate more this weekend. No rain in sight!

Being able to easily back in the camper and set it up is the best way to start a weekend – that is if no pull-thru sites are available. My husband is much happier when he doesn’t have to make strategic maneuvers to make the camper fit. And since I didn’t think we bought that big of a camper, I’m always amazed when it can’t be accommodated, and that’s often at public campgrounds, state parks and even national parks.

So, listening to the frogs and crickets is made so much nicer when you didn’t have to work up a sweat to set up camp.

And visiting with neighbors who had just as easy a time is also good.

My dad did his usual talking with neighbors, which did help give us vital information about a new tow vehicle. We’re looking at a heavy-duty truck and now will likely go with the diesel after my dad’s conversation with an engineer from GM. We’re GM people anyway, but now we’ve done our homework and talked to the pros.

My husband is so happy – a new camper and now a new truck – life is good!

Now, sit back and relax!

Vacation Recap

Well, I’m back from our first long vacation in our new RV. It was wonderful! Two weeks in the RV with the family – no work or sports.
We made a deal that no one was working on this vacation and except for one minor emergency business call, we kept that promise. It’s been a long time since we really got away and I can say that the long-awaited trip was worth every day that I stressed about not bringing work with me!
We visited northeast Tennessee and southeast Kentucky to hike, camp and go whitewater rafting. We had a great time discovering the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls and River.
We were amazed by the sandstone arches after about a 1 1/2 mile hike. We couldn’t believe the massive beauties and the access we had to climb atop of the arch and walk across it! We also rafted the Cumberland River, beginning at the falls – no we didn’t go over them, but paddled up to the falls and then went from there. We also hiked to the Yahoo Falls, which you can walk behind. However, with the lack of rain, it was only a drip, but still a remarkable drip!
We also discovered a town called Rugby, Tenn., which is on the National Registry and was incredible! A one-time utopia project in the works, the town was left behind, but later rediscovered and restored, as much as possible.
Then, when we were done with the outside wonders, we headed north to Cedar Point, you know, the roller coaster capital of the world! There, we experienced some of the most incredible man-made sights and rides. The Maverick is everything you heard – fantastic!
All in all we had a great time, and the time we spent in the national park campgrounds and private campgrounds was as relaxing and interesting as the rest of the trip.
While on the Tennessee side of the Big South Fork, we stayed in the campground in the park that took us down and up and up and down 13% grades and near u-turn turns, an interesting ride with the new camper. But once we arrived at the park that offered lots of space, horse barns for horse campers and numerous trails, we were happy with our choice.
The sites are set up in circles with easy back-in access and roomy spaces so we could stretch and let Bert, the Jack Russell Terrier of the family get out a little. We were warned about the bears and the Copperheads, but didn’t see any – that’s probably a good thing, although I was looking forward to some photos.
The campground hosts were very efficient here, although they weren’t as busy as the retired couple we encountered on the Kentucky side of the Big South Fork. There the couple from Ohio handled the trash and some of the clean up. They also watched a bear mosey in to camp from their breakfast table – probably not part of the deal.
We also spent some time at a Corbin KOA in Corbin, Ky., near the Cumberland Falls, that was very nice and gave us a chance to swim in a pool and have cable, which our 16-year-old son was grateful for about four days without anything but two stations. We don’t yet have a dish on our rig. He thinks we need one!
The sites were roomy and we had everything we needed, including a laundry room in the office/store. The owners and "workampers" were very helpful, giving us information on the sites of the area and offering assistance. They even had to let us out of our camper when we had a small mishap with a loose lock!
Thank goodness they were there. They even had had the same issue with their camper on a trip, so knew exactly what was wrong and how to fix it! The campground was very CLEAN and inviting and we met some interesting folks from Pennsylvania and other parts of Kentucky.
They offered sites with several different types of hookups. We took the full package, which gave us electric, water, sewer, cable and free W-Fi. Oh yeah, they wouldn’t let me bring my computer!
When we visited Cedar Point we stayed at their Camper Village, which we had stayed in before with our popup camper. This is a campground that isn’t cheap, but also doesn’t offer a lot of frills. You pay for the park access, but that’s what we wanted. Those that stay in the campground or one of the other Cedar Point facilities get early entry into the park, which this summer meant getting on the Maverick before the lines were two-hours long!
A tip for those who might go here, fill up your water tank, there are no full hookups here, only electric. However, the sites are big enough and they do offer pull-thru sites – but tell them how big your RV is, so they put in the right place!
The staff does keep a nice clean facility and the bathhouses were clean with adequate supplies of hot water!

selecting a campsite

So, you’ve got your camper ready for the camping season, but you’re not sure where to go. First you need to decide: Do you want to take several trips with your camper in tow – or in drive – or do you want to find a place to park your unit for the season?
Either way, there are tips you should consider when choosing a campground.

If you’re someone who enjoys visiting different areas of the region or country, then a “seasonal” site isn’t what’ you’re looking for. However, make sure you plan ahead because campgrounds, whether they are state or national parks, or private parks, fill fast these days. With more than 29 million RV owners and active campers, according to The American Camper: Profiles and Perspectives, premium sites are a hot commodity.

Most public campgrounds use reservation services that allow reservations to be made months in advance. So, if you’re interested in one of the nation’s outdoor wonders, make plans early. But public parks aren’t the only answer. Many private parks are also available near such wonders as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park and in the Smoky Mountains. And, they also take reservations. Many times, they also offer a greater number of amenities, such as free Wi-Fi (wireless Internet service) and cable TV.

GoCampingAmerica is home to hundreds of private campgrounds and RV parks where you can search from state to state and region to region to find a campground with amenities from full-service connections, to pools, to golf courses. These relaxing amenities can add to your visit to nature’s wonders when you need a break from hiking or white water rafting a nice round of golf may be on the agenda.

And since it appears the average price for a campsite is $20-$50 per night, the stay is reasonable and usually in the same range as the public parks.

For those who want to take their RV to a site and leave it so they can return each weekend or for a weeklong vacation, a private park is what you are seeking. Most offer a seasonal or long-term rate. However, don’t look for the same in public parks. They have a maximum consecutive stay for all visitors.

Today, there are more than 12,000 RV parks and campgrounds throughout North America from which to choose, and the amenities are almost limitless. Some of those most sought after in both RV parks and campgrounds are simple, larger sites and quick check-in.

However, whether you fit into the group of young professionals who want a retreat, a family looking for an entertaining getaway or a snowbird that wants a longer stay in a warmer region for the winter, there’s a park for you.

Parks accommodate RVs, owned or rented. Most have areas for tenters and some even offer camping cabins that can be rented. So, if you don’t own your own RV, find a park that can rent you one – or at least a cabin for your vacation. There are some parks that also offer on-site trailer rentals so you can get the RV experience before you actually get the RV. There are also park models – a permanent RV – and cabins, so enjoy the outdoors and the campground no matter what your circumstance.

Just remember to call ahead; there are a lot of us out there!

camping - buying a camper

Picking Your RV or Tent

It seems that no matter how we start camping – as kids with our parents or as adults – many of us take that first camping trip in a tent. Many times its under the stars in the backyard, but it seems to ignite something that turns into a passion to hit the roads, pull into a campground and set up camp.

For many, the camping trail ends with some sort of RV – whether it’s a popup camper, travel trailer, fifth wheel or a motorhome. In fact, nearly 8 million U.S. households own at least one RV, according to RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association).

I, like many others, began my camping trips in the yard on my grandparent’s farm. My grandma would help us rig up a “tent” that we made from hammocks and blankets or other items, or we’d put out my uncle’s puptent, and camp outside. I spent most of my childhood outside, so sleeping out there seemed natural. Luckily for me, my grandma was willing to join in the fun!

But I actually began staying in campgrounds in a popup camper with my parents, sister and brother. Like many other RVers who begin their relationship with camping as a child, I returned to my roots as an adult.

My husband and I started camping with our own tent and all the necessities – a Coleman stove, lanterns, open-fire percolator coffee pot, an air mattress to relieve the hard ground and all of the other little gadgets you pick up along the way. I loved camping in the tent, but it wasn’t long after our son was born that we moved into a camper – a popup, just like the one I started camping in, except my parent’s camper was new, mine was just from the same era. After my daughter was born, we moved up to a little nicer popup – still used, but a little newer. Then, a few years later, we bought our first new popup camper. Wow! We got to break everything in ourselves!

Today, about one in 10 active RVers own a popup camper, according to “The American Camper: Profiles and Perspectives,” a survey prepared by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell of Orlando, Fla., for the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC), and also sponsored by the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA). The largest two segments of RV owners have a motorized RV (a motorhome) or a travel trailer.

My family recently joined one of those two groups – the travel trailer owners. Our little campers are now 16 and 12, so we went with a bunkhouse model – everyone can sleep without breaking down the table or folding out the couch.

We did our homework and decided what we needed, what we wanted, and what we were willing to spend. Then, we took a trip to RV haven – Elkhart, Ind. – where we could see many of the models. We found that a trip just a couple hours away really could, and did, save us money.

During our search, we also visited many of the consumer RV websites, looking for any information on brands to avoid problems later. Since there is no “Consumer Reports” for RVs, we went straight to the source – RVers. We asked those we knew with RVs what they liked or didn’t like about the model and brand they owned, and we searched the forums on RV.net to see what others had to say.

I’m glad we did the research, but it took some time. There’s almost always someone who isn’t happy with something, but we wanted to make sure we weren’t getting a brand with which several owners had many similar problems. What we found on the RV.net forum did stop us from an initial purchase, on a brand that had several negative entries.

But, we finally settled on a Jayco Jay Flight 29BHS. This camper has a small slide, which was something my husband wanted for those trips that end up cold and rainy, a front queen bedroom and bunks in the rear, with a full-size lower bunk. We also were able to find a new 2006 still on a lot that allowed us more bargaining room.

This camper fit all of our needs – sleeping arrangements, with extra sleeping accommodations for friends, room enough for the family, and light enough to tow with our Tahoe. And, it fit the budget we had set.

So, just a suggestion for those of you who are looking for tents, campers or motorhomes – make sure you know your needs. If you’re purchasing a tent, sleeping arrangements are still important, as is how you’re going to use the tent – in a campground or on the move. When it comes to RVs, sleeping needs are also important, but there are also other considerations.

If you will tow a trailer or fifth-wheeler, what will you be towing with? Many types of vehicle can haul the lightweight popup campers, but travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers are heavier, so you need to know your weight limitations. And, fifth-wheelers must be towed by pickups. For those who are interested in motorhomes, it becomes an issue of needs and amenities, and price.

So, no matter where you are in life and what your needs and desires are for camping, there are some similar questions you must ask yourself. And stick to those answers – determine your need and your price and don’t waver. Then, if you are buying a towable RV, know what your vehicle can handle.

And, once you’ve made a choice, find the perfect camping place. Campgrounds across the United States offer a variety of options – from short-term stays to seasonal camping, where you can park your RV for the camping season – usually the summer months. To find out more about campgrounds near you, or near a place you’d like to visit, GoCampingAmerica.com gives you information on private campgrounds in each state. Just a click of the mouse will let you know how to contact the campground, and if they have a website, will take you to a virtual tour of the park.

Happy Camping!

Spring Debut

Welcome
First let me introduce this blog and myself. I'm an avid camper and journalist, who has written about the RV industry for the past decade. This blog seeks to reach out to the RVers and campers, to inform them and learn from them. Since campgrounds are filled with people who may not otherwise meet, but for their interest in the great outdoors - RVing or tenting - and find themselves visiting with their "neighbors," this blog will serve as our campground.

During the 30-plus years that I have been a camper - since I was a kid camping with my parents, sister and brother, to camping today with my husband, son and daughter - I have found that not every park I've stayed in has been perfect, but I've never had a bad time camping. When the weather is bad, it's still fun inside the camper - and I've been in tents during the rain, too - a little soggier, but still a good time. When the weather is great, there's swimming, hay rides, miniature golf, jogging through the park, roasting marshmallows over a fire, or any of the other activities that can be found at a campground.

When you see commercials about RVing or camping, many of them show people in the middle of nowhere, nature at its finest. For the most part, that isn?t the way most of us use our RVs, campers, or tents. Instead, we find our way to a campground or RV park - a different and very interesting world.

My family loves to camp, and we often find ourselves going with my parents and my sister's family. My dad is the typical RVer. He stops and talks to everyone, looks their units over, discusses amenities, weather, and even where they're headed. He's sometimes gone for hours. My daughter takes after my dad; she loves to visit with our "neighbors."

I think that's what I love about RVing or camping, whichever you may call it. Everyone is relaxed, happy to be where he or she is, and eager to give a helping hand if the need should arise.
Would your neighbor - at home - come over to help get a stubborn grill going? Your neighbor in a park will.

RV Travel
Last year saw travelers overall staying closer to home due to high gas prices. RV park operators and directors of state associations affiliated with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) reported increases in reservations, but visitors were generally local residents. With an RV, a trip 15 minutes from home is still a vacation.

This summer could be similar, with RVers staying close to home due to rising gas prices. In March, the average price for regular unleaded gas was 20 cents higher than the previous year. On March 12, AAA reported the average price for regular unleaded gasoline was $2.54, up from $2.36 the year before. On April 2, the average price for regular unleaded gas was $2.696, up from $2.582 the same time last year.

I wonder if the changes in travel are really only about gas prices. While the higher gas prices do impact travel, travel trends may be just a reflection of society today. We usually camp near home ? within our own state and the handful of surrounding states, with a few long-distance trips thrown in. With kids in sports and numerous other activities, we have precious few days we can do anything between practices, games, meetings and events. This year, however, we?re planning an early summer cross-country trip to the Grand Canyon, so gas is just something we?ll deal with.

Travel destinations likely depend on where you are in your life - young, middle-aged, seniors; single or married; with children or no children; empty nesters or retired. When our kids were younger, we had more flexibility to plan bigger trips. Now that they are teenagers, they are more involved in activities, leaving us less time to travel. And as they leave the nest, we'll again have more flexibility.

I still remember my very first camping trip when I was about 10. I had been at my grandparents' farm for a week in the summer and when I returned home I found that my parents had bought a camper, and had even taken their first camping trip - without me!

My parents bought a used Apache popup camper. I got to sleep in it in the driveway, but before I got to experience camping in a campground, they were already on to something new. My dad and mom traded the used Apache for a new Starcraft Swinger 6. This was in the mid-'70s and this popup camper was beautiful. The kitchen - the sink and stove - could be unlocked and pulled outside, opening like a door and "swinging" out. It gave us more room inside and my mom cooked everything outside.

That was the camper in which I had my first camping experience. We went to a campground only an hour or so away and set up our unit next to my cousins' trailer. We kids couldn't get our swimming suits on fast enough and get down to the lake. This was heaven, practically living outside and a lake in the backyard - camping is a child's fantasy come true!

After swimming, our parents let us go up to the camp store and get some candy. To this day I love those red jellyfish and small jawbreakers in the box.

My kids have been storing away similar memories since we've been camping with them since they were born. Like many campers, we began with a tent and all of the camping equipment you could possibly need - a camping stove, lanterns, hotdog sticks, and yes an extension cord for my husband?s TV!

We moved on to a popup camper - actually three, two used ones and a new one. Now, we?re in the process of buying a travel trailer. My husband likes the amenities of home when he?s ready to leave the campfire.

Buying a Camper or RV
Buying a camper is like buying a car and a house - you'll move it around like a car, but you'll live in it part time, just like home. So, all of the same issues apply: Do your research; know your needs and wants; determine what you can afford; compare products, prices and interest rates if you are financing. All of this will help you to avoid buyer's remorse and biting off more than you can chew.

Newrver.com gives this advice when it comes to buying an RV. Set the dollar amount and stick to it; take your time to shop, don?t rush into a purchase; define your needs - sleeping requirements, storgae, etc.; whether to buy new or used, explaining that buyers generally get more for their money by buying a gently used RV, but older RVs may be in uncertain condition, so if you do buy a used RV, it's better to buy from a RV dealer.

So, roll out the canopy, light the campfire - or turn on the stove - and relax. It?s time again for summer RVing and camping!

And, if you'd like to visit new locations, weekend trips or long destinations, the GoCampingAmerica website can help you plan your trip, give you RV tips, and find a campground or campgrounds for your trip. Go to www.gocampingaremica.com and get started.