They never told me about this going into the RVPark business

[westernrvparkow]

Owning parks brings a lot of challenges. Over the years I have posted about problems with slobs, with carelessness,with the self important, with crazy people and on and on. There is one big issue I have never mentioned, and it is an issue that is actually causing me to think about selling out.
Many great friends we have made over the past decade are dying or becoming so imfirm they can no longer travel. It is becoming all too often that I pick up the phone and get the sad news that a friend will no longer be visiting.
With the normal problems in the parks, I can rant, rave, spew venom and get over it. This is different. When a long time guest has taken their final trip to the park, I feel sad whenever I pass what was "their" site. Sometimes I just hate this business.

[SDcampowneroper]

Recently one of our regulars told us he was heading out on his 'bucket list'. That hit hard, until he said he is not sick, just not waiting until he is to do it .
We expect to be friends for a long time yet.

[Homer1]

D.E. Bishop I read your post with particular interest. Do go on the trips and enjoy. You might need to change your routine a little, but the end result will more than make up for that. There is not going to be a better time beyond 73 (whichI wish I was only). And thanks for your service.

[WandaLust2]

CKNSLS wrote:

I obviously disagree. But we agree to disagree. The loss of jobs since I was a kid, and the vastly increase costs of living will have a major impact on disposable income. Houses much more, food more, healthcare through the roof. Do you have any idea what health care costs are for a family of 4 to 5 people? No real increase in wages, quite the opposite, employees working many more hours for the same or in many cases less money. Times are a changing.

I believe those who don't feel the difference and who can still save and invest their money are the university grads making 6 figure incomes. Or the Bill Gates out there. Or those on the Gov bandwagon with bennies out the kazoo. I don't think they realize what it's like for the rest of us not in that income bracket or not getting all the free or almost free bennies like health care, dental care etc.

[WandaLust2]

Gale Hawkins wrote:

.....It is nice to know people care but in many cases today we are forgotten when we are no longer a financial asset to others....

I saw this more and more as I aged. The younger generations don't seem to feel the same way as the older generations where parents and other older relatives are concerned. There is no feeling of responsibility or real love toward them unless they are RICH. Disgusting isn't it? If their children or other relatives don't stand to gain substantial amounts of money or property, if they're not a financial asset, they can't get them into nursing homes or assisted living fast enough. That is if they maintain any contact with the old person at all.

Before someone attacks what I just wrote, I know there are families who do love and care about their elderly, even if they have no assets, but I'm not seeing that anywhere near as often as in the past.

[WandaLust2]

fla-gypsy wrote:
I am afraid we all travel down that lonely road at some point. I am only 56 and the number of childhood acquaintances that have left us is astounding.

Same here. My last "true" friend died last month. I was grief stricken and am still trying to deal with her death. I'm 68 and have no one left now but a few acquaintances. The type of people you know on the surface but are not really friends with. Even most family members are gone. I have a few cousins who live over 1200 miles away who I've seen once in the past 30 years. If something happens to my husband I am 100% alone and it's a scary thought. 😞

[D_E_Bishop]

My wife and I had to make a dificult decision last week, I just finished eight weeks of radiation therepy for prostrate cancer, eight weeks without a night on the road. Both of us were looking foreward to the last three weeks of July, no Drs appointments, no DGKs to care for, just us and the Bounder. We talked about the trip and came to the realization that I may not be able to drive for four or five hours without stopping to use the bathroom four or five times, and with the speed that the need to stop hits me, I may need to cover the drivers seat in plastic. We cancelled the trip and when we went to get our little backpack tent out for the DGD to use while she "Hikes The Rim" with the Girls Scouts, I really almost cried. I love the Bounder and miss my life in it. When I was told that radiationwas the best choice, I realized the seriousness of my situation and I decided that "downtheroad" has it right, "If we couldn't laugh, we'd all go insane".

That's my defence and new way of life. The staff in radiation were impressed and they told me on my last day that it had been fun treating me.

I'm 73 and the crew of my submarine has a reunion every other year, there is only one of the old guys left, the last of our crew to serve in WWII. It's the pits but I am living it to the fullest. Fall is the time for our longest trip of the year and the Dr's say I should have bladder control back and if not use Depends. Whatever happens I should just go on the trips and enjoy.

[CKNSLS]

paulsang wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:
I think if an RV owner wants to sell out-now is the time. The baby boomers will be the last generation to care about RVing in any large numbers.

The "Greatest Generation are now the ones who primarily use the RV parks, and they are passing away."

The Generation "Y" and beyond will not have the disposable income to go RVing. The cost of houses are increasing (witness the last 12 months) and then there are always the fuel costs. Then look at the ever increasing prices of food and especially healthcare. The days of pensions are basically over for Generation "Y" and beyond. They will have to provide for their own retirement and hope there is some kind of social security.

Yep, if I had an RV park now is the time to get out.

That statement is wholly unfounded. While there is certainly a cost to be considered, the RV industry is far from dead. I am 45 and retired.
Whenever I am in an RV sales place, there is an amazing amount of people my age in there shopping - usually looking at TT and 5ers. Last week, I stayed in a park where I was the old man...LOL

The industry will adapt to the changing consumer, just like it did for your generation. The dotcom kids made some money, and the smart ones saved it. MY greatest generation father taught me how.

However, healthcare - and the corruption- will be the struggle for future gens alike.

I obviously disagree. But we agree to disagree. The loss of jobs since I was a kid, and the vastly increase costs of living will have a major impact on disposable income. Houses much more, food more, healthcare through the roof. Do you have any idea what health care costs are for a family of 4 to 5 people? No real increase in wages, quite the opposite, employees working many more hours for the same or in many cases less money. Times are a changing.

[Gale_Hawkins]

That is a real concern. Had a 55 year old neighbor have a major stroke earlier this week but since it did not impact the ability to walk or speak and that he lives alone it was over two days later before he went to the ER. There is major damage in the brain but he can keep trying to do things and sometimes there is no memory how to do normal tasks. The scary part he was driving the tractor on a very busy highway with a lot of big truck traffic after the stroke.
This is my first experience with a 'walking' stoke case. The doctor in ER was saying NO way it was a stroke until a CAT scan.

As to RV'ing being a dead/dying industry I agree it is not the case in KY or at least near term. Too many wealthy people are dying and leaving adults cash not required for life basic needs so some if it is going into RV's, Cycles, etc.

[paulsang]

CKNSLS wrote:
I think if an RV owner wants to sell out-now is the time. The baby boomers will be the last generation to care about RVing in any large numbers.

The "Greatest Generation are now the ones who primarily use the RV parks, and they are passing away."

The Generation "Y" and beyond will not have the disposable income to go RVing. The cost of houses are increasing (witness the last 12 months) and then there are always the fuel costs. Then look at the ever increasing prices of food and especially healthcare. The days of pensions are basically over for Generation "Y" and beyond. They will have to provide for their own retirement and hope there is some kind of social security.

Yep, if I had an RV park now is the time to get out.

That statement is wholly unfounded. While there is certainly a cost to be considered, the RV industry is far from dead. I am 45 and retired.
Whenever I am in an RV sales place, there is an amazing amount of people my age in there shopping - usually looking at TT and 5ers. Last week, I stayed in a park where I was the old man...LOL

The industry will adapt to the changing consumer, just like it did for your generation. The dotcom kids made some money, and the smart ones saved it. MY greatest generation father taught me how.

However, healthcare - and the corruption- will be the struggle for future gens alike.

[Marsland]

I take the glass half empty analogy and look at as an opportunity to fill it back up.

We are all going down that road, as has been said before. I just hope my body doesn't outlast my mind. After watching my folks and in-laws go the future gets much more serious.

[Gale_Hawkins]

I was told today one of my childhood friends is on a cruise with his new wife after his mother passed and inheritance showed up. Sure some are buying RV's with parents wealth being left behind.

When one looks at the whole of life some see death as a positive thing like retiring but to others retiring is almost like death.

Perhaps the best future for old RV parks will be to be sold for other development. I think new seasonal RV parks will have to charge rates equal to staying in nice motels. We actually ran into that in a few cases out west so we parking at the motel and slept in the motel for same net cost of staying in the near by RV park option. We also found nice RV parks for under $30 with full hook ups.

As the governments take more and give less to savers it will impact the RV industry one way or another I expect.

[YC_1]

So those folks made a lasting impression on you? I bet you did the same for them and gave them a great deal of comfort and helped them enjoy life the way they loved it.

Not a bad deal. Touching someones heart is about as useful as you can get. Keep it up and make some new friends.

[K3WE]

So think about doctors that treat children for cancer...

[westernrvparkow]

CKNSLS wrote:
I think if an RV owner wants to sell out-now is the time. The baby boomers will be the last generation to care about RVing in any large numbers.

The "Greatest Generation are now the ones who primarily use the RV parks, and they are passing away."

The Generation "Y" and beyond will not have the disposable income to go RVing. The cost of houses are increasing (witness the last 12 months) and then there are always the fuel costs. Then look at the ever increasing prices of food and especially healthcare. The days of pensions are basically over for Generation "Y" and beyond. They will have to provide for their own retirement and hope there is some kind of social security.

Yep, if I had an RV park now is the time to get out.

Actually, I think you are way off base. Our business is skewing younger and younger. But we are not a come and stay all summer set of parks. We are on the visit here, see this circuit. Seeing the country will always be in the mix for many people, regardless of age. The sub 30 year olds are actually more in tune with the outdoors and travel than some of the other generations. What was the missing generations were the mall kids and suburbanites, now in their 30s and 40s. But even they are now discovering there is more to life than nightclubs, movie theaters, dining out and the mall. What I wouldn't want to own is a snowbird park, that may very well be a declining market. I am just lamenting the fact that the RV park business is different than many businesses in that you get to know many of your customers on a personal basis. They are with you for days or weeks at a time. You can't say that if you own a dry cleaner business or a car wash. Even other lodging choices seldom have repeat customers who stay weeks on end. It is a unique situation and in the last few weeks it has hit me and my parks pretty hard.

[Crowe]

If you aren't there, you will spend the rest of your life wondering about them. And you won't escape losing friends. It's a part of life. Enjoy the good moments and think of what joy you bring to these people. Without the people like you I wouldn't have many of the memories I do.