Why I Love Vacations in our RV

[mleekamp]

We have a TT, but I'll tell ya, we just finished a 2 week trip, our largest yet. Started in Peoria IL (we live in Washington...small town outside Peoria), first night in Chattanooga. Then, 6 nights, 5 days at Ft. Wilderness at Disneyworld. The, 4 nights at Ft. Pickens at pensacola beach...that was a blast! Then, 2 nights at Nashville, then home.

We are exhausted...but are looking forward to a week and a half in Colorado first week of August. Our only issue this trip was a water leak from city water connection on our last night at Ft. Pickens. Could not get to the leak, but we made due the rest of the nights without water.

We swam with stingrays at Ft. Pickens, made friends at Ft. Wilderness, and my girls (10 and almost 5) had a wonderful time seeing America. This, to me, is what it was all about.

[jessjerr1831]

We also started out tent camping with our 3 kids. Lived in the Omaha area, camped at the Louisville Lakes. Other lakes I don't remember the names. But, we would almost always go to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was also our cheap vacation. Kids always remembered the 4 faces they first saw when they were very young. Our two daughters still camp, the son not so much. But, we always go someplace with our two GK's.

[Doug33]

My daughters are 19 and 22, and still want to come on camping trips with us. That's why I just upgraded to a 28' TT with double-bed bunks. We started camping in PUs when the oldest was 3 months old. When I was a kid, our family always camped in tents for our summer vacations, because it was the cheapest alternative. But I wouldn't have changed that even if I could. The memories I have from my childhood are just like the ones my kids now have - priceless.

[D_E_Bishop]

I echo your sediments about memories and will add one more thing. We tent camped until the girls were in their early teens, they were four and five when we started in a borrowed car and with borrowed tent and sleeping bags. One night when they were adults and savoring be over for Mum's Sunday dinner, they started talking about how much influence those trips had on their lives and how the lessons learned camping gave them an edge in life. They felt they had become a lot more secure in everything they did because they knew how to "live", they had been responsible for planning and executing trips, setting up camps, cooking, being responsible of others and the land.

I didn't know we taught them that, I thought we asked them to help so we could do more while vacationing. You never know what influence a simple camping trip can have when you take it.

I think it has been passed on, our 13 year old DGD just completed her first Girl Scout Day Camp as a CIT(counselor in training) and is on a four day back packing trip in the Sierra with 11 other young Girl Scouts and six young leaders from Europe. It was advertised as a Learn to Backpack week. The 11(almost 12) year old DGS just finished his second experience as a Program Aide at a Cub Scout residence camp. He was asked if he would like to come work as a PA for another Council after he completed a week end winter survival and merit badge camp this last winter. They are building memories for a new generation of campers and their lives.

[bobsue2]

was taking him to the horse races with him

Did you pick up any tips you care to share with us.........

[Jim_Shoe]

My parents infected me with the camping virus around the age of six. Tent camping in Yellowstone/Tetons, the Black Hills, Natural Bridge, Va., the Smokey Mountains, Myrtle Beach, several parts of Florida, etc. They continued after I left for college, searching for the perfect place in Florida, finally deciding on the Cape Canaveral area and swapping their 'C' for a park model.
I retired early at 58 and immediately bought a 'B' and finally settled on my current 'C'. I still haven't seen everything I want to, but I'm not done yet either.

[Geocritter]

When our family would get together for the holidays it wasn't the trips to Europe or Disney World with my late wife that our kids would reminisce about but rather the tent camping trips I'd take them on. Such as a 9 day trip through Wyoming Idaho and Montana, a January northern WI camping trip, a Mt. Rainier camp/climb and numerous Boundary Water camping/fishing trips. Gail never understood how such adventures could ever be fun. Her idea of camping was staying at a budget motel.
As for me, my Dad never took me camping, his idea of quality time with his son was taking him to the horse races with him. I decided early on to do more with my kids, a lot more.
Steve

[magnusfide]

Know exactly what you mean. We get home, get caught up on everything and then we get the itch to hit the road again so off we go.

[rockhillmanor]

mleekamp wrote:
We have a TT, but I'll tell ya, we just finished a 2 week trip, our largest yet. Started in Peoria IL (we live in Washington...small town outside Peoria), first night in Chattanooga. Then, 6 nights, 5 days at Ft. Wilderness at Disneyworld. The, 4 nights at Ft. Pickens at pensacola beach...that was a blast! Then, 2 nights at Nashville, then home.

We are exhausted...but are looking forward to a week and a half in Colorado first week of August. Our only issue this trip was a water leak from city water connection on our last night at Ft. Pickens. Could not get to the leak, but we made due the rest of the nights without water.

We swam with stingrays at Ft. Pickens, made friends at Ft. Wilderness, and my girls (10 and almost 5) had a wonderful time seeing America. This, to me, is what it was all about.

Congrats on your trip. Always nice to hear of an RV'ing adventure were all went well.

Sounds like you provided some real great memories for your daughters.

[Chock_Full_o__N]

I know just what you mean. We just returned from a week in the north GA mountains--prettiest part of the state, IMO. The only bad thing about it was pulling up the stabs and going home. We waited too long to get July 4th reservations anywhere, but we'll be going out again in a couple weeks.

[FOREVER_FREE]

Congratulations on a super trip. 🙂

[janstey58]

Memories>>>> When your 12 year old grandson is so hooked on camping with you, that he is already planning his RV purchase in his future adult years. 🙂

[ford_truck_guy]

MEMORIES >>>> That is the number 1 reason to RV... At least in my book.My kids started camping while in DW's belly and always have a blast comparing trips from now to trips from the past..PRICELESS .Joe

[Eycom]

Awesome!:C