I got a real chuckle out of your post, especially when I read "the simple life". I thought .. this is gonna be good!
Simple? Well, that's a matter of perspective I think. We have a 35 foot TT and 3500 dually to tow with. Let's see ... simple? well ...
First (it's just the wife and I, kids are grown and gone) ... well... that's simple!
Second (our dog and 2 cats just love the camper!) We do a lot of driveway camps and the cats are always scratching at the door wanting in. The dog is right at home in the camper. I suppose that simplifies our lives.
But, everything after that, well .... maybe *not* so simple?
First we (the DW and I) have to decide where we want to go camping and why. Usually the "why" is pretty simple (visit family or need to burn up vacation time or loose it) Then we have to decide where we want to go. That's not so "simple" some time.
Next, after settling on a location is settling on the date. We fix a date and then have to ask our boss's at work for the time off. This is NEVER simple! Although it's part of the benefit package, management always makes you feel like your committing a crime from asking for a few days off. But they never say "no". (Still, it's stressful and NOT easy!)
So next comes the planning: That means checking the camper for mechanical stability, tires, roof, wiring, plumbing, heating, all that. Then comes the checking to make sure all our supplies are there. We borrow out of the camper for the house, we sometime forget to put stuff back.
Then there's the clothing ... always check.. then the groceries. Now that's a production and stage show that would make the 3 stooges blush! I like to eat! and when we go camping .... I go camping to EAT! and I eat good! Steaks, fresh vegies, ice cream, cakes, pies, treats ... (OK, I'm a big kid at heart). Still the grocery store visit very seldem results in anything less than $150 from my billfold, just for the planned trip.
All things set, ready to hitch-up! Oh ... Fuel ... one last trip to fuel up so I won't have to go through the gas station with the camper any sooner than necessary.
Hitch-up... my gosh .... that hitch gets heaver and heaver every time I lift it! No, I'm not getting older ... that hitch is gaining weight. WD bars, chains, plugs, test electric connections, brakes, grab dog, get cats ... oh drats! Forgot the wife!
Oh the cats! We have one cat that gets car sick. So you know that means we have a special pill from the vet that we need to give him about 1 hour before we hit the road. Do you know how much fun it is giving a pill to a cat! Do you have any clue how sharp a cat's tooth is! Do you know how much blood the human body contains! (I think I do now!)
Cats settled, got the wife, dog happy heading out the drive way.... drats! Did you shut the stove off? You know where that's going?
Finally on the road! Ah nice and RELAXED! Life is so *simple* isn't it? Ah-oh! Hey honey! You know that last Diet Coke I drank ... I think we need to stop! But we're in the middle of no where, where we can stop!... I know, but, but .... simple? Um ..... not really! Eventually I do find a spot to stop, run into the camper, take care of business, just to find out the cat barffed anyway! (Oh ... this really happens) Thanks goodness the cats are in a carrier, but now there is barf all over BOTH cats! Do you have any clue how "simple" it is to clean a cat! when you're in the middle of a parking lot, or at a McDonalds, or a gas station! Yup ... real simple!
OK, after all the drama we finally arrive at the campground. Drive to our campsite just to find out I came up the drive the wrong direction! Gotta turn this train around somehow so I can back in right! OK, I'm in the spot. I get unhitched... my goodness, did that hitch gain another 5 pounds! Set up camp, pull out the lawn chairs ... and go to bed!
Real simple! Man! I love this camping stuff! Good night!
