Well, as a result of my very first camping trip since I was a kid, and the first of my life to last 5 full days, I have confirmed what I want to do with the rest of my life: be a full-time RVer and travel. This has been a dream of mine for at least the past five years. In a way, this camping trip was a test of that dream. Of course, we tent camped, but I loved the constant outdoors, and I learned a lot.
Some of the problems that arose was that we forgot some stuff, so I had to take the truck (which I borrowed from a friend while he drove my Corolla) into town and purchase the items that we forgot. There was also the replenishing of the ice in the coolers twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Then there was the constant walking back and forth to the main building to get the ice, go to the bathroom, take showers, do laundry, and wash the dishes. Finally, there was the rain storm on Thursday. It rained for most of the day making cooking outside difficult, and the over night thunderstorm, which was a major down pour, made sleeping rather difficult considering the few leaks and the tent turning into a water bed.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. The experience was wonderful even with these minor difficulties. And, the work that was involved wasn’t really added, it was just different considering our environment. I cherish this camping trip and consider it a great success.
However, the difficulties would not exist if I was a full-time RVer. I would hall the Corolla along and use it for local and other travels. I would have a frig with the freezer cutting out the need for the constant monitoring of the ice, as well as the other issues of living out of a cooler. There would be some walking involved for the other needs, like those mentioned above, but such things as the dishes could be handled in the RV, I could carry enough clothes to do laundry once a week rather than as needed, I would have my own toilet and shower, and I especially wouldn’t have to worry about things getting wet in a rain storm. Finally, an RV would handle a furnace for the winter months if I were in the North.
Some may wonder why I would want to be a full-time RVer.
(1) I love to travel. I despise being stagnant. I have dealt with being stagnant for the last 16 years, and I will continue for the next four or five years, because of my children. I love them dearly and they deserve structure. Therefore, being stagnant has not been difficult because I have been doing it out of my love for them. However, their time with me is running out. I have raised them to be, and they are, very independent children, yet incredibly responsible. Damn, I did good.
(2) I want to write. I have many ideas for projects, but being stagnant requires me to work full-time and maintain responsibilities here at home beyond 40 hours a week. Working part-time while traveling would give me the time and solitude that I need to work on my writing projects. The only bills that I would have are food, clothing, and lot fee. However, if I worked at the campground for 20 hours a week, my lot fee would be covered, and my small pension that I can begin drawing anytime would be enough for my food. The RV would be bought outright, or paid off before I leave.
(3) There are so many things that I feel a deep need to experience, and all of those things require me to have the ability to travel more than once per year. For example, I could “feel” the Garden of the Gods calling me. So, I had to go. But, I also had to take the kids, and it was a wonderful experience for them. But, I would have loved to have been able to camp there for a day or two, and maybe more than once.
With all of the things that we Americans have to do just to survive, there is no time to feel and experience the things that really matter. You may ask why this really matters. I would answer with, I don’t know until I experience it. But, I can comfortably say that such experiences are more important to the grand scheme of things (or the collective consciousness) than spending 40 hours per week lining the pockets of the powers that be. In our day to day lives, that is all that we are doing, in reality, and no matter what it is that we do. That is how they have set the system up, and they keep us busy with irrelevant bullshit so that we don’t think about it.
OK, now I am rambling. I guess I had too many whiskey and cokes, which violates my rule against drinking and typing..lol. But, in closing I will add that there are somethings that I have to do to be ready in about four or five years:
(1) Buy an RV
(2) Find a loving, honest, responsible, sexy, partner that is also my best friend to join me. I don’t know if I could do it alone, and one won’t find any single women in this lifestyle because those that travel, travel with their partners (husbands, boyfriends, whatever). They aren’t going to travel alone. I guess I need to join Match.com, or something similar.
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip J, I am so jealous. Camping can be an absolute blast, a time to get in touch with your soul, whatever you want it to be. Sounds like you and the kids had fun and that’s what counts. I can’t wait to see some pics. So… time to go RV shopping now is it??
Yes it is…and I will be getting on the RV shopping shortly. I also need to find a true female mate to join me on my adventures. I can’t imagine doing it alone. But, you know my long list of criteria…lol.
The pictures will be forthcoming, and hopefully this evening. There are a lot of them. Most are from the Garden of the Gods, but there are a few from the campsite.
Thanks, TC. You are so awesome.