Wednesday, March 16, 2011

New blogger likes a good road trip, whether by motorhome, tent or towable

Periodically – and not nearly as often as many of us would like – some of us transfer a large percentage of our belongings into a scaled-down version of our homes, except that it has wheels and often it’s much cleaner. And it might be a toss-up as to which one cost more.

Then we drive this rolling house hundreds, even thousands, of miles – sometimes on treacherously narrow, steep and even icy or snow-packed roads – to live in close proximity to others of our kind, mostly strangers. Who usually don’t stay that way for very long.


What's not to like about fresh air and freedom?

There are those who call this behavior “crazy.” We call it “vacation” or “retirement.” And, yes, “fun.”

It’s fun even when your son brings the pet mouse along and then, oops, it gets loose just as you’re about to get on the interstate. It’s fun even when it’s March Madness, and you’re at the one campground that has no signal. It’s fun even when you spend half the day loading everything, drive for seven hours and then realize that your wallet is still sitting on the kitchen counter.

How do you know you’re an RVer? You’re an RVer if…

…you drive past gas stations and evaluate them for their clearance, even when you’re not in your rig.

…you’re not a doctor, but you always have a box of latex gloves on hand.

…you see a “12 percent grade ahead” sign and start to laugh maniacally.

…you put nicer sheets on the bed in your RV than in your house.

…the last centerfold you looked at was the one of the new Winnebago Journey, with its 360 hp diesel engine, oh, yeah.

…while sitting at your desk at work, you wonder what your RV is doing right now.

…you start to think of any shower that lasts longer than 20 seconds as extremely extravagant.

…your annual fuel budget is larger than the one for food.

…the bathroom in your house feels so big, you think it might qualify as “open space.”

and

…on a trip without your RV, you put a lawn chair outside your hotel room door and smile at passersby, jus’ bein’ friendly.


Campgrounds can be great places for kids.


Of course, not everyone is quite this hardcore. Some of us suffer from RV envy and are dipping a toe in the crazy waters, wondering what it would be like to avoid the high costs and haughtiness often associated with hotel stays. We want to take our kids to welcoming places where they can access playgrounds and fresh air; we want more flexibility when it comes to meals and bringing our toys.

Then there are those who go with a tow – a pop-up, a fifth-wheel, a tent camper – or would rather camp in a tent or stay in a cabin. Been there, done that, too, and there’s something to be said for all of it. The bottom line is coming up with a way to get away that suits your needs, your budget and makes you happy.

So whether you’re serious or just curious, it’s nice to meet you. I’m looking forward to traveling together.

The roadtripster is the handle of a longtime Coloradan who travels the country by any means possible, sometimes in an RV, sometimes car camping or in the backcountry, with kids and without.

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