By Gail Marsh
It was one of the final campfires of the summer season. The weather cooled and, just like that, summer seemed to breathe its last hot sigh of relief. My thoughts drifted as I gazed into the fire. I thought about our RV adventures—both good and not-so-good—and concluded that in many ways RVing is like a campfire.
Connections
Campfires often bring people together. The welcome warmth and flickering light provide a wonderful place for storytelling, sharing, and building connections with others.
RVing can also be a way for people to make connections. RVing has been a great way to connect with folks we otherwise never would have met. Sometimes we RV with other family members; but even when it’s just the two of us, we often learn something new about each other and that insight strengthens our bonds of appreciation and love.
Planning and adaptation
Building and maintaining a campfire requires adaptability to changing weather conditions, available resources, and safety considerations.
Traveling in an RV often involves adapting to different environments, road conditions, and unexpected challenges along the way. As with anything in life, things don’t always go as planned, no matter how diligently we’ve researched and planned. When plans go awry, RVers learn to make changes and adapt.
Contemplation
One of the best things about sitting near a campfire is the atmosphere it evokes. Where better to contemplate life or take time for introspection, than under the starry nighttime sky and next to a crackling fire?
RVing also naturally offers moments for self-reflection and contemplation. Traveling from place to place or simply enjoying our beautiful natural world brings a heightened awareness that we never seem to find time for when we’re in our stix-n-brix home.
Little things are the big things
It’s often the littlest things that bring opportunities, meaning, and gratefulness to our lives. RVing and campfires sure do that for me!
##RVT1123
Thank you, Gail! Great observations!
Very good and right on the money. Over many seasons I’ve noticed that my banjo also brings many others to the campfire.
OMG. We camped with a large group several years ago. One family has a very talented son who brings one of his banjos everywhere. He played slow songs, fast songs and everything in between. . Some of his songs he “performed”, others were background music to the chatter around the campfire. Not only was I taken by surprise by this young man’s talent, but I really, really enjoyed hearing his music. A night I will always remember.
“It’s often the littlest things that bring opportunities, meaning, and gratefulness to our lives.”
True story indeed…it’s too bad so many Americans take a lot for granted anymore.
Wintering in Texas (and I believe, most of the southwest), campfires are especially rare. Due to drought, burn bans are pretty much year-round. Many parks have removed fire rings if they have them. Some parks have communal fire pits, but if there is any chance of sparks, likely sit idle.
Not the same, but I now have a canopy with up to 3 side panels and a propane tank mounted radiant heater.
Campfires are part of camping. If you’re just parking an RV somewhere, that’s something else. Maybe pamping.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂