RV park "camping"

[jimlj]

Is there anyone who actually camps any more?
As a youth camping meant loading up the '55 Ford pickup with tents and sleeping bags, the old Coleman ice box and stove and heading for the forest. When dad bought the first camper it was a single axle '66 Shasta with modern things like a refrigerator that needed no ice and a water heater. Since then I have owned several TT's. Until March of this year I had never stayed anywhere with full hookups.


As an electrician, last week I located and repaired a broken underground wire at a RV Park and it got me thinking about "camping". Talking to a few of the customers at this park made me realize this was not a stop along the route to empty the holding tanks and fill with fresh water, but the destination. I do enjoy having the fridge and a hot shower, and the last few campers I've owned even have a bed that is not part of the dinette or couch. but staying in a RV park is not "camping" as far as I'm concerned. Anyone else camp where there is no wireless internet and the closest electricity involves putting gasoline in a generator and pulling the rope?

[dieseltruckdriv]

Bobbo wrote:
When I was 20 years old and sitting by my tent, I derided the people who drove up either in a motorhome or towing a travel trailer. Now, at 63, I let the 20 year olds deride me, and don't give it a second thought.

Not 63 yet, but +1! I said I would never do that. Now I have a brand new 5er, after previous 5er and a couple TCs. I have learned to never say never.

Earlier this spring I was in the medical clinic, and the nurse asked about my weekend plans. I said I was going camping, and she asked where. I told her we were going to a nearby reservoir (that is surrounded by BLM land), with our 5er. She informed me "That is not camping!", and I replied, "You are right, I am going fishing in comfort." She got a good laugh out of that.

I do still enjoy motorcycle camping, with nothing but a tent, and a sleeping bag, but now I cheat and use a pad between me and the ground.

[jimlj]

Thanks for all of the replies. A few things I've learned.
Everyone has their idea of camping, RVing or traveling and some combine all which is fine with me. Something that I should have realized, but captain obvious had to point out is NOT EVERYONE LIVES 30 MILES FROM NATIONAL FOREST like I do. I can find a flat spot along the road to stop and camp, or can stay at forest service campgrounds that nave no hookups. This has been my perfered "camping" since I bought my first RV, and what Dad did when he towed home the '66 Shasta 52 years ago. I also live less than 5 miles from a state park with a dump station, and for a few bucks I can empty and clean the black and gray tanks about any time I want to. With my head burried in the sand (or up my back side as I'm sure a lot of you have thought) I used the "camping" I know to question yours.
Happy campingRVingtravlingwhateveryoucallit.

[ppine]

On a thread like, the only comment that makes sense is to do whatever you like , and don't worry about other people.

[mckind]

Yeah, we're towing our conveniences with us but it is nice to wake up and drink my morning coffee in a different place, even if it is an RV resort. We're getting away from the rat race for a couple of days regardless of where we set up.

[toedtoes]

I'm also going to add that on camping forums that are popular with tent campers, they don't question how others camp. I never see posts like these questioning if someone is "camping" or not - even about folks with RVs.

[toedtoes]

rbpru wrote:
However, one of the marks of a seasoned camper is over time, they leave at home things they formally could not live without.

I have found it's more leaving at home things they found they are willing to do without. It varies between people - one person "must" bring a stereo system, another "must" bring a blender. Neither of those things are absolutely necessary, but they are not optional for some. Some even bring a portable clothes washer.

Same as folks with RVs- we all decide what we want to have with us and what we can do without. And everyone will have a slightly different list.

[IdaD]

I grew up doing mostly primitive dispersed camping, and that's what my wife and I did most of the time too as adults. Initially in a tent, then a tent camper and now a fifth wheel. Our youngest daughter, currently 3, is disabled and campgrounds tend to work better for her to get around so we do that most of the time now, albeit mostly non-hookup USFS campgrounds or partial hookup state parks. As she gets older I expect her to be able to get around easier so hopefully we can start sprinkling in more dispersed camping again.

We only use what I'd call an RV park for an overnight stop someplace or as a stand-in for a hotel. I don't consider it camping although I also don't think there's anything wrong with it - it serves a purpose.

[rbpru]

I am going off topic a bit but I do two kinds of tent camping, I do low impact wilderness canoeing (with rather short portages these days). 🙂 I also do the other extreme which is voyageur reenactment from 1730's period, with replica tents, canoes and camp gear.

And yes rain can be a pain. However, we still do what we do when it is not raining; only we get wet. 🙂

Back on topic, as mentioned, the quest for convenience does not stop with tents, PUP, and such. However, one of the marks of a seasoned camper is over time, they leave at home things they formally could not live without.

So to some of the TT folks. While we started with full hook ups with cable TV, we migrated pretty quickly to electric only. We will even boonedocked for a day of two when it was necessary to visit more remote spots.

Except for those who like the nostalgia of Coleman lanterns, pumping up white gas cook stoves and steel Pepsi coolers. Many of the folk in the primitive campsite have switched to LED lanterns and lights, small propane bottle stoves and high efficiency Yeti coolers.

Progress is hard to define.

[toedtoes]

I'm on a camping forum. It is mostly tent campers. I have to say that if you look at what they bring, you'll find they aren't camping much different than the rest of us.

They have battery setups and/or generators and/or solar to power lights, play music, watch movies, use a portable AC or heater. I have actually found that I, in my motorhome, have fewer conveniences than they do in their tents.

[toedtoes]

rbpru wrote:
Toedtoes, You are correct of course. Gee I made it all the way to July before I made my first mistake this year 🙂

That's better than most of us. I screw up the first day normally. 🙂

[CharlesinGA]

There is a tent camping forum on this board, it has a mere 1700 threads and about 20,500 posts, so yes, some people do tent camp.

I was at Chilhowee Campground near Benton Tennessee about two weeks ago. There is a dedicated tent camping area in it, and several tents were set up with tarps, rain flys, etc. Sadly, they were getting rain every afternoon and evening and the second and last night I was there, we got a tremendous amount of rain. Probably not any fun for the families in tents.

Charles

[rbpru]

Toedtoes, You are correct of course. Gee I made it all the way to July before I made my first mistake this year 🙂

Ppine, Nessmuk did a lot of travel and adventure. He had the time and place to smooth out the bumps. Even in Colonial days, army officers would have decorative wooden floors set in their tents or have the stone mason lay up a small fire place. Comfort is nothing new to camping or temporary shelters.

However, the OP post was about the changes to modern camping. Camping evolved to meet the customer's demand. My 2010 TT is a far cry from my first 14 ft. 1960's model. Also, my 48 lb. Kevar wilderness canoe is a quantum leap over my 100 lb. 1922 wood and canvas Old Town. Each has their time and place.

[toedtoes]

rbpru wrote:
My point is RVing offers convenience. Camping ignores or gains enjoyment from the lack of convenience.

When I am canoeing and portaging in the Boundary Waters, convenience takes a back seat to scenery, adventure and challenge. When I am at a rifle shoot, bluegrass concert, museum tour or some other tourist trap, scenery and adventure skills give way to convenience. I am there to enjoy the event.

Age has a lot to do with it also, the spirit is willing but the self-distructing
body parts can really cramp your style.

Camping or RVing or both are choices we make and enjoy. Neither is better or more noble than the other.

Safe travels

My point was that your list of things you miss when RVing includes warming your coffee in the microwave and setting up your awning in 30 seconds. I believe you have those backwards, those are things you gain when RVing.

[rvshrinker]

I’m not going to judge anybody for how they use their machine. I could say fifteen years ago camping to me was throwing my stuff in a backpack and hiking 70 miles in 5 days, everything else was glamping. Then I started car camping more with the wife and kids. Then we needed more stuff so bring on the rooftop carrier - s’more sticks for goodness sakes? Now we’ve got a trailer and took showers every night of our last trip - so what? It’s still camping to me. I’ll still take my kids backpacking this summer and we’ll still sleep in a tent a few times just for the heck of it.

[ppine]

Nessmuk the author from around 1900 came up with the idea of roughing it. He also talked a lot about smoothing it. That part of the conversation appear to have been lost.

Going on a raft trip can be very comfortable in the middle of no where with no one around. So can a trip with pack animals. Fresh food, furniture, wood stoves, and thick bed. I don't see where an RV is required to be comfortable or convenient. It is the easiest way if you are traveling by road. but then you can't get to the best places.