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.

[CKNSLS]

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.

[K3WE]

A whole lot of jobs have human customers...

...and unfortunately, they die.

Very sad to loose friends, but I don't think the fact that you run an RV park makes for any more sadness that a whole bunch of other things you might have done.

I suppose you could have been a computer programmer.

Of course the best solution is for no one to ever get old.

[bsinmich]

As an organist I played for many funerals. One sermon I remember is how you lived the DASH. He was referring to the dash between year of birth and death. I have a place prepared for me also but while here on earth I enjoy travel and family, especially Grandchildren and Great grandchildren.

[hitchup]

I agree with clydengail. Just think of them going off to that great RV Park in the Sky. Those of us stuck here are the ones who suffer because we miss them. We must wait our turn for that great spot upstairs to become available to open up for us.

[clydengail]

I don't worry about the end of this life because I know I have a home beyond description waiting on me in my Father's House!

[Jloucks]

Having such a short finite lifespan is one of the galactic goofs on humanity....in my humble opinion. Why do some tress get to live 4,000 years and we are lucky to make 80?

I saw a turtle over the weekend that was supposedly 160. Ticked me off. Stupid turtle,

Yea, I am not aging happily, and I am only 43.

[Jim_Shoe]

Don't know if it will work out, but when the time comes for me, I intend to come sliding into home base, head first, dust flying and yelling,
"WOW, what a ride". And Western, if you get there before me, I'm going to need a pull thru with a patio and FHUs. 🙂

[down_home]

Life is like that. Conflict and stress comes with just about any pursuit.
Don't know your park or your situation but perhaps time to hire a Mgr.
That is probably the hardest job of all. Someone that can grasp and master the situations are not that easy. If you are in an association or fraternal clubs etc, it is somewhat easier. When recruiting for my competition they would ask if the Person was a fifty thousand a year man hundred thousand or so on. A talented or just smart individual can make anything tick. Just watch for the Whiz Bangs etc. A short leash for a long time.

[More_To_See]

Just reading about somebody having to hang up the keys always puts me into a funk. Probably just looking ahead to the day, I guess.

[wa8yxm]

The park I'm in has had two taken out deceased in the last month. Alas, as we get older, there are more and more funerals to attend.. I had to attend my wife's this year.

I would not worry about this in regard to owning an RV park if I owned one..
Why: Well.. I do not own one, but there are still more and more funerals to attend every year as more and more old friends pass on.

As to feeling sad.. That... I fully understand.

[Cloud_Dancer]

Eat the donut, all that's left is the hole.

Sometimes I see my glass as half empty......:B

[MotorPro]

Eycom wrote:
Keep your eye on the donut... and not the hole.

GREAT answer!!! Just remember you would not have had the chance to meat all these people if you did not have that job.

[Eycom]

Keep your eye on the donut... and not the hole.

[John_Joey]

That's one of the biggest downside of being a snowbird. You develop friendships with people from all over north America only to come back south and find them not there. Worst case is when there is a death and you can't go to the funeral because it's half way across the country.

You must have a heck of a nice park there. BTW, condolences on your loss.

[Roundtwo-40]

My grandmother is 95 and can run rings around me at 41, sadly I give my chances of making it near 90 at less than 10 percent, with today's stress, pollution, processed food,cancer, ect. Statistically we are living longer but at what level? Hooked up to feeding machines and laying in a bed in a home? That is not living it is existing. Sorry for my less than inspirational look toward the future but as a health care worker I see it daily, enjoy your youth while you are able, it goes far too fast.