By Gail Marsh
I stumbled across a Facebook post a while back and took a screenshot of it. I wanted to save the post because it struck a nerve with me. See if you agree.
Why we go camping
The post was from a fellow RVer, Duane F. He must have been in a campground at the time he posted his musings. I envision him walking up and down the rows of RVs as he recorded his thoughts. I don’t know him or his situation, but I do know that I’d like to meet him and other RVers that share his unique thoughts.
Here’s what Duane wrote:
Huge fifth-wheel rig
To the folks who just showed up in the 43-foot $200,000 fifth wheel that probably costs double my stix-n-brix home, you have a beautiful RV.
Tenters
To the folks who are down in the woods in a two-man tent, you guys are hardcore. Awesome setup down there.
Older Class C
To the folks who just pulled in with their 1979 C Class with more rust than panel: I can only imagine the memories you’ve made in that thing. I’ll bet that dent has a story.
Van-lifers
To the folks that took the last site nobody else wanted, pulled in, put down the seats in their minivan, and started cooking: Your dinner smells delightful!
Summed it up perfectly
Mr. F. summarized his thoughts about his fellow campers with these words: “We all camp differently, and we may not agree on it all, but we have to remember the only thing that matters is memories are being made, and you’re getting 120% out of your time with your loved ones. You have to forget HOW you go camping and remember WHY you go camping. Enjoy every moment!
“Can I get an ‘Amen’?”
##RVT1087
Are some writers compensated for submitting the most lame articles ? This one seems to be.
Seems like others enjoyed it.
I would suggest that the majority found this article to be quite pleasant and most of us were Capable of understanding what it truly represented. Thanks for sharing, Gail
💯% spot on!
Did you really have to post that comment ?
Do the same negative readers need to post “period”. MevetS it doesn’t matter what you have for a camper as long as you’re getting out. I suppose there are some, and you’re probably one, who walk around a campground finding fault with everything you see. I guess your glass is half empty.
My glass is never half full, but I enjoyed the article, at least it wasn’t filled with half truths and misinformation.
If you don’t take happiness with you… you will not find it where you go…enjoy your ride..it’s the best you will get in this life..and you make the choices
Hmmm…And which of the camping spots were you in?
hold on…do you not have any imagination or playfulness? This was a light hearted article which was written by this person to pass the time while walking in a campground. A diverse group of campers enjoying themselves outdoors that he noticed and asked the questions in his mind about their lives and dreams that most people might also consider. If this bores you, move along…the writer might have some thoughts about a sour puss (you) he may have observed shuffling through the campground
It is nice to see a positive outlook for a change. I love that man’s perspective.
I agree! This is refreshing and made me smile.
Thanks for sharing this.
Exactly, Amen!
Me too!
Amen! Going on our 10th year of full time adventure, we whole heartedy agree with this author. Life is a gamble with lots of highs and lows. Enjoy the ride no matter how you get there!
That could be me, walking through a campground. I love looking at all the different setups. I feel I can learn from all of them. We boondock a lot so we’ve seen nearly everything. The most fun are racetrack parking lots for big and small local events. It’s such a mix. Million dollar motorhomes next to home made campers. And the owners of both sharing a meal. I remember wandering around and seeing one of the behemoths and asking the owner if I could just peak in. He told me to go in and look around all I wanted. I really liked the crystal chandelier.
Brings the humanity back into the discussion. Many of us can identify with his musings because we’ve had the same thoughts about our fellow campers.
Amen!
Amen!
I liked this! Sometimes I have the same thoughts as I look out my dinette window.
Thank you for sharing a positive perspective on all the differences.
Love this
Amen! One of favorite pastimes is walking around the campground and making up stories about the people in the various rigs. Sometimes in NF campground I’ll see tenters eying our 36′ DP. Are they worried we run a loud generator, are they jealous when the temperature drop and the furnace kicks in. Are they dreaming about being in our kind of rig or they more than content with what we have. When we tented among big RVs the only time we got a bit jealous was when it started to rain as the temperature dropped. We sometimes miss the tent, but the ground has gotten too far away and too hard.
AMEN!! It’s much more interesting than if we all were exactly alike.
We got into it in 2020 with a 22’ travel trailer. Upgraded to a 27’ in ‘21 and now 2/3 through a cross country trip after retiring. Can’t imagine a better way to see the country!
1985-1995, we were the tent people. 1995-2001 we were the old travel trailer. 2002-2007 we were the tent (10 person tent, for 2) people again (with a high air mattress, stand for a fan, a min-fridge and a small microwave), 2008-2015, 2016-present day we are the ones with a Four winds travel trailer. We finally found the one we really enjoy! Have enjoyed every camping experience we have had, regardless of what we are using. It used to be we camped because it was an inexpensive vacation from work. Now because we are retired, we camp because we can!
This reminds me of all the good times and great people we’ve met over the years of tents, popup, and trailer camping we’ve done. Definitely a feel-good article!
Thanks, Gail! That brought tears to my eyes. So well done, so thoughtful!
Agree with the summary above…
Bringing our 36’ Jayco back for warranty work, I arrived during an Entegra owners orientation. They were a warm and welcoming group and I mentioned feeling out of place next to their coaches. Not missing a beat, one of them offered “you may not have as much as some, but have more than others. Always be thankful for what you have.” Words we live by as we drive down the road…
I love this perspective! We all have the same goal, to enjoy being out in nature enjoying life, no matter how we get there and do it!
Was a Boy Scout in my youth and currently travel for work. When the weather and locations allow, I always prefer my 36ft TT. It gives me the comforts of home when on the road and also comfort from the knowledge that I’m sleeping in my own bed, with my own pillow. That is priceless. I also have small overlanding setup with my Suzuki Samurai that is perfect for solo, backcountry exploration. Whatever gets you out and into nature…..that’s all that is important. Have done the remote, lakeside locations as well as RV parks with rows and rows of home-on-wheels. Which is “real camping” is a discussion I’ll leave for later. Who cares?!?
What is most unfortunate is that so many people do not share Duane’s point of view. Need I say more other than thank you Gail for sharing.
When I see a half million motorhome, a 20 y/o camper, a tent and everything in between at the same campground. I often think, we are all here enjoying this same beautiful park and the great outdoors.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 This is as good today as it was over a year ago. 🙂 Thank you for reminding us of the importance of the similarities that connect us as RVers! 🙂 May you and K have good health, and safe and sunny travels! 🙂
Can I get an AMEN!
AMEN !!