How right you are WyoTraveler, many of us started with sleeping on the ground with a sleeping bag and no tent, progressed to tents, then to a popup which was heaven!
Then time to move up to luxury as we get a bit older and need more comfort. A class "c" and full timing is next heading down the road. Because of a family issue and getting custody of our nephew at the age of one we had to settle back down in a s&b in 2002.
In 2011 we decided it was time, and we had saved some money, and our now 11 year old third son was getting into wanting to camp, we purchased an older(2001) Beaver DP 40' and feel like a king and queen going down the road.
We still love to do the State Park thing and have been known to dry camp sometimes.
We get the younger generation at State Parks say , Wow, it must be nice, and I respond with, we have done it all and enjoy the roads we have taken and camping has been a big part of it!
Enjoy it however you do it.....