I just finished selling my Toy Hauler and Tow Vehicle and am officially out of camping. The kids have grown and have their licenses and have kind of lost interest in the whole desert / riding thing. Additionally, we just bought a place in Big Bear and plan to begin a new chapter in our family life with Off-Road vehicles. The members on this forum have been great with their knowledge and sense of humor. Although I have only met a few, it is proud and family oriented group which I have been proud to share info with and even give a jab or two. Just wanted to say thanks as I won't be on here much more and wish everyone safe journeys while out camping and riding.Brendan

Brendan I hate to see you go, I've always enjoyed your posts and modifications. Like you the kids grew up and out and our days of ATV riding came to a close, though we still camp. The door is always open if things change and you get back into camping, you're always welcome here. Steve

Best of luck with the new chapter. Your leaving the camping scene on a positive note and thats what counts, you created memories that will always be with your kids.

Thanks for keeping it classy for all these years Brendan. It's been a pleasure to be part of this forum with you. It's a shame to see you sell all your stuff, but I understand your decision.Our kids have grown and moved out too (two out of three, with one more going off in the fall).My wife and I decided to go the other direction. We're prepping our original truck and hauler for sale because we ordered a bigger better hauler and bought a bigger better truck to pull it. I'm looking forward to this new chapter with my wife.Good luck to you and your family.

An Open Letter to the Toy Hauler Community | Good Sam Community

hone_eagle
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
And then come the grand kids - and it starts all over again :-)
nayther
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
For sure it evolves. We started out going play riding with family/friends. Then family dwindled but friend's circle got bigger. Then we started racing and the friends/family outings went to two or three a year only. Then the boys grew up and it was just me racing/riding. Now they have families of their own and we're starting over again with my grandson. However with only one dirtbike in the stable the next trailer will NOT be a toy hauler but a conventional fifth wheel with a rack for the bike.
dedmiston
Moderator
Mar 17, 2016
bkirkpatrick wrote:
lincster wrote:
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I think in a few years, I will come to the dark side with you.

Amen.
bkirkpatrick
Explorer
Mar 17, 2016
lincster wrote:
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!

I think in a few years, I will come to the dark side with you.
lincster
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
Shoot, I LOVE going to the dunes by myself..... Less to pack, less to clean up, don't gotta cook anything for anyone..... Kids are older and doing their own thing.... I LOVE THIS!!!!!!
rkortes
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
From what I've observed, it appears that the dirt riding/ATV aspect of camping with the family has a shelf life that usually revolves around the kids getting their own wings. We experienced the same thing with our family and most of our riding friends and families around 8 years ago. My wife and I still enjoy riding with new friends, but It's pretty clear that we will divest ourselves from the TH and go to another RV solution within the next 7 or 8 years.
nayther
Explorer
Mar 16, 2016
bkirkpatrick wrote:
What I found was that there aren't many trails and I the staging areas are limited.

unless you have a dual sport!

But as with any place eventually you'll get bored exploring the same trails. You can connect to the Lucerne Valley via Rattlesnake wash and then you're off across the desert.
bkirkpatrick
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
Blackdiamond wrote:
I know the feeling, I have to force my 15 yo daughter out there, once she is there she has a good time but she never wants to go. 17 yo son still wants to go but only if nothing better is going on and certain other families go...and most have them have dropped out also.

Not something I want to give up, but I do struggle with it.

Basically the same here. Two boys, 14 & 17. Used to love to go when they were younger but now with sports and friends, tough to get them motivated. At least Big Bear is only 2 hours away (door to door). Kids like snow boarding and going to probably unload the off-road toys for a jeep or other 4x4 to go exploring up there. What I found was that there aren't many trails and I the staging areas are limited.
Blackdiamond
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
I know the feeling, I have to force my 15 yo daughter out there, once she is there she has a good time but she never wants to go. 17 yo son still wants to go but only if nothing better is going on and certain other families go...and most have them have dropped out also.

Not something I want to give up, but I do struggle with it.
Dirtclods
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2016
Big Bear is an awesome area if you get board check out this:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sbnf/workingtogether/volunteering

I belong to the motorcycle division but theirs quads,jeeps, UTV and so on if you still like to be involved.

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