I'm so bummed

I wish I could of had more nights out this year as well, I used my grandparents camper for two trips the beginning of the summer and once I bought mine I made three trips. I really look forward to taking out my own trailer this year.

I farm for a living and planning summer trips will never be in the cards for me as long as I farm. Not complaining, I'm blessed to be able to make my living this way, but Ive never had a proper summer vacation. I can kind of look at the calender and tell when I'm going to be in an in-between time on the farm but the problem is irrigation. The crops never stop needing it and it makes it tough to get away.

With my work schedule I like to get 3 maybe 4 weekend trips a year. I'll just lay out what I do so other Northwest types can follow along.

One trip up to Long lake below Potholes resevoir in mid March for one or two nights. Campfire, listening to owls, geese and coyotes, then a walk in to fish Janet lake for a trout or two.

Second trip, late April to the Tucannon area in the Blue Mountains for more campfires and fishing for easy trout, hike to the top of a nearby hill for excercise and views.

Third trip mid July or right after Labor day in September. These are the tricky ones due to harvest and water needs on the farm. Usually somewhere in the Cascades.

One trip I sometimes try to squeeze in, and its a favorite time for me is the begining of October,the weekend before the Modern Firearm Deer season. Great time of year, nobodies out camping, beautiful weather.

Last weekend and another weekend at the end of October we had plans to spend one night at Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake. Campfire, fish for Steelhead, hike up to the railroad tunnel. But strong winds of the +40mph variety had us canceling those trips. I'm an active guy, and though I do enjoy the time to get some reading in I hate to be forced into the tt due to cruddy weather outside.

3 short trips this summer, hoping I can get in 1 or two yet even though it is getting a bit cold.

My job keeps me busy and the 4 kids have lots of activities on the weekends so we plan many weekend trips at CG's near the house.
we get to camp and am close enough to ferry the kids to their activities.

Welcome to the world of 90% of RV owners. That's why there are always so many "low mile" used ones on the market.

I know the feeling. Every year we promise ourselves we will take more trips, but the last few years financial troubles, kids schedules etc have conspired against us. We have managed to get out a few times this year, but it has been the same place 3 times in a row! I am just dying to hook up and get at least 3 hrs from home for 3 days, but we just can't seem to make it happen. :(

It sounds like you dont get much time off from work. Next year, just reserve a site at a CG within an hrs. drive and just commute to work from there. It will feel like a vacation every time you leave work and drive to the CG. I do it every day now myself.

23 - 29 November, relaxing in the mountains! No holiday crowds, no family drama, just me, the DW and the dog!

When we bought our TT, we decided that since we made the decision to camp more, we would work harder on planning get away weekends regardless of what else was going on. Towards the end of the year, we pull out a calendar and the state park map and start planning and once we decide on where and when to go, we make our reservation. This gives us our "we time" and we don't usually let the weather stop us, we have shelter, heat/air and most of the comforts of home. We shoot for at least once a month and are thrilled if we can get more than that. Like collie said - you just have to make the time.

We all have to decide what our priorities are - yes, I know work can get busy and life matters get in the way. But I don't want to look back and say "gosh, we bought that camper and hardly ever used it".

We already have 4 weekends reserved for next year and we haven't even pulled out the calendar yet.

Darn. And I thought I was bummed by missing our goal of 15 nights by 2. Better luck next year people!