What happened to camping/RVing?
I grew camping/RVing with my parents. Tent camping was too extreme as my Mom didn't want to sleep on the ground and there was always a fear of bears(whether it was rational or not). In the 60's and early 70's we had an Avion camper. In 1973 Dad brought home a Pioneer 5th Wheel. It was way ahead of its' time, lots of luxuries for that time. Also, it was huge at the time, at thirty feet. Maybe that was the beginning of the end.
I can only remember a handful of times we ever stayed at a full hookup park. 98% were state or federal parks, which if you were lucky had a building with flush toilets and showers or a dump station on the way out, let alone water, dump and electricity at your site. My parents didn't allow a TV in either of the RV's. We went RVing to get away from the urban environment. We entertained ourselves by hiking, fishing, talking to each other and board games. Conserving water and batteries was just the way you camped. Forty some odd years later I am still RVing that way to escape my urban life and get unconnected, if only for a weekend.
As I look around at all the posts and blogs, when it comes to Boondocking, it seems it is either scary or a mystery to newbies or folks are all obsessed with adding things so you can bring and run all the stuff you have at home. I can understand that if you are living full time in the RV, but not for trips. During trips I either want to just relax or explore or go sightseeing. Also, without all the stuff from home, it reduces distractions and forces the family to talk and bond.
When did the change happen in RVing when Boondocking became the aberration and normal camping/RVing became a quest to bring your house with you? Also, I am curious how many folks like me are still out there, or if I am just a 52 year old Fuddy Duddy.
I can only remember a handful of times we ever stayed at a full hookup park. 98% were state or federal parks, which if you were lucky had a building with flush toilets and showers or a dump station on the way out, let alone water, dump and electricity at your site. My parents didn't allow a TV in either of the RV's. We went RVing to get away from the urban environment. We entertained ourselves by hiking, fishing, talking to each other and board games. Conserving water and batteries was just the way you camped. Forty some odd years later I am still RVing that way to escape my urban life and get unconnected, if only for a weekend.
As I look around at all the posts and blogs, when it comes to Boondocking, it seems it is either scary or a mystery to newbies or folks are all obsessed with adding things so you can bring and run all the stuff you have at home. I can understand that if you are living full time in the RV, but not for trips. During trips I either want to just relax or explore or go sightseeing. Also, without all the stuff from home, it reduces distractions and forces the family to talk and bond.
When did the change happen in RVing when Boondocking became the aberration and normal camping/RVing became a quest to bring your house with you? Also, I am curious how many folks like me are still out there, or if I am just a 52 year old Fuddy Duddy.
