Solo RVers away from family for the holidays

[Naio]

A companion thread to the other current one :).

Solos, what are you doing for the holidays? Do you ever get lonely?

I spent Thanksgiving this year, and Thanksgiving and Christmas last year, at the family gathering of a friend I was visiting. But, as someone said elsewhere, that can be kind of awkward when you don't know the people.

I don't feel like I can do volunteer stuff because of health issues. I wonder if there would be more holiday social opportunities at an RV park or LTVA? Or maybe there, too, people mainly party with folks they already know?

I am kind of shy in person, which doesn't help. I'm outgoing and often exuberant with people I know, but sometimes/often find it hard to chat with strangers.

Anybody else struggling with how to do this?

[2gypsies1]

RV parks usually do not allow porta potty dumping. You would have to use their bathroom facilities.

[Naio]

Thanks for the more ideas!

And greenskeeper, I am so sorry to hear about your son. That is awful.

I was thinking I should join Escapees -- bu then I saw that, in Benson at least, they don't allow rigs with porta potties! Is that true everywhere???

(MeAgain brought up a related issue on the previous page: No, I have never been turned down at a park in a city for my nonstandard RV, but once in a small town.)

[TomG2]

Hanging out with the couples in the RV park is a lot of fun, until the sun goes down. That's when they disappear for dinner and games with the other couples. Unless there is an active and interesting single's group, the Solo's spend a lot of time alone. That's the reason our singles group has lots of happy hours, wine and cheese parties, and holiday dinners. Try to go out dancing with the couples sometime. I like the Escapee's parks but want more single's activities than most offer.

[Me_Again]

DIY van conversion might me a problem in some of the larger parks in metro area's. But the suggestion for LoW and Escapees are good! Chris

[2gypsies1]

The Escapees RV Club has some home parks. One of them is in Benson, AZ. It's a very active park and check out this month's newsletter stating the month of December activities. You won't be bored at this park!

Escapees Benson, AZ RV Park - Dec. Activities

[greenskeeper]

while note alone wife and I, we have been on the road for the holidays for the last 7 years most of the time boondocking some where in the desert, just one of those things, after a while you get use to it, the last 4 years we have been in a park and have had good times. 2 years ago our youngest son (43) passed away on thanksgiving day, that makes it a little hard to celebrate, glad for the friends in the park............

[Naio]

I like hearing what everyone is doing. And thanks for the suggestions!


Myself, yes, I could go anywhere in the SW or west coast... not sure what I will do, or nothing.

I am used to having all my family and friends to my place on holidays... it is strange to be somewhere where I don't know many people.

[LadyRVer]

I did my first Thanksgiving in 43 years alone, had my pup with me. I took a trip for 4 nights out. A few bad moments during the takeout Thanksgiving meal from Cracker Barrel, but the rest of the day was good. Just enjoyed being at a different area, walked the campground. There was a Thanksgiving meal there, but I didn't feel comfortable going by myself.

For Christmas I will take another trip, stay four days and start making my own traditions.

My spouse passed away in July. I will continue to travel as I can.

To answer your question, I will just spend the day by myself with my year old pup.

[Golden_HVAC]

Where are you going to be? Quartzsite? Niland - Slab City CA?

Or anyplace in the southwest that you feel like driving to?

Do you want to be in a Escapee park like Coursegold CA, near Temecula CA? Congress AZ? Benson AZ?

At Slab City, there is always a good sized party on Christmas, New Years they do a polar plunge into the canal that runs east of the slabs. I did that in 2005/ new years 2006.

Have fun!

Fred.

[TomG2]

The LoW's (Loners on Wheels) usually make it a point to celebrate the holidays with other members. There is also a group of Solo's within Escapees. We had about thirty singles at our Thanksgiving dinner here in the RGV and will have even more at Christmas.

Verify what they are saying when any RV park claims that they have "Single activities". Often that means Old George and his Sister who go out to lunch once a week.

[2gypsies1]

Join the Escapees RV Club and utilize their own parks during the holidays. You won't be lonely.

[path1]

We do. Notice I say WE? That is because wife is from big family and she feels really left out at holiday times when we are on the road and away from her family. I hear it every year and it makes me feel sad for her.

Here is what we've discovered. RV parks that cater to our life style are very good when it comes to people getting together. Even if people themselves do it spur of the moment.

Start planning with the area you planning to be at over holidays?

Number 1... plan your area that has good cell service so you can calls your family, buds etc over holiday.

Number 2...Call around before hand where you'll be and ask what is the plan for holiday.

We've had fantastic pot luck meals at Escapees parks over Thanksgiving and Christmas. Might even run into someone you know from your travels. Or believe it or not, run into someone that lives 2 miles from where you are from 1,200 miles away. Join the Elks, Eagles or Moose clubs, something that has places all over. If nothing else if you break down you can go inside and ask for recommendations from locals. Not to mention many have space out back to stay overnight.

Bottom line is you have to get out of your RV and join society sometimes. It won't come to you. And it's nice to be able to choose to either stay away or join in.

Last year we saw a sign for a crab feed as a benefit to raise money for a local person that fell on hard times. Some tiny town on Oregon coast right on 101 somewhere. We were hungry so why not stop? Greatest bunch of people we ever met. Almost wanted to move there before we were done. Before the night was over we had several "Camp Driveway" invites. OH and got one heck of a good family BBQ sauce recipe.

If you really, really get bummed out stop at some Homeless kitchen and sign up to work one or two meals. Preferably at smaller type city where people really need help. And not a city where I'm from and homeless can get something like 17 meals a day free. After that you will feel so happy and free with your own life. Even if you can't do much, there will be something.

OK, hope this helps