Blog Post

fun stuff

For at least eighty years one of the most popular choices among the American population for how to spend a vacation is Camping!   

  I'm admittedly pretty ignorant on this subject. My mother was a city girl who was terrified at the idea of staying overnight in isolated areas, and didn't think putting up a tent or living out of a tiny camper for a solid week was appealing in any way. She compromised; we went to a cottage many of the years I was growing up. She still had to pack food and towels, bed linen, clothes, first aid items, etc. But there were many rented cottages in close proximity, all with electricity, indoor plumbing, and kitchens of a sort. My brothers and sister and I were fine with that, because the cottage was close to a wonderful lake where we went swimming and boating. There was always someone else to play with if your cousins didn't come along. 

I went to 'camp' as a girl, but we didn't stay in tents either.  Large rustic buildings housed the attendees, and there was a common building where we took most of our meals, served up cafeteria-style.
Now campfires with hot dogs and marshmallows, that happened often. Then I went back to my clean sheets in the cottage, the dorm, or my own bed.

So the allure never caught on with me, but what do I know? Obviously the people driving all those thousands of campers and trailers traveling America's roads aren't planning to spend much of their time in the parking lot of a hotel. The state park where I take frequent walks has three different campgrounds, and they are popular in spring, summer, and fall. On holiday weekends they're packed.

But there's something interesting to be observed about a lot of these outdoor enthusiasts nowadays: they take a large portion of home right along with them! Sure there are some tents and humbler accommodations. But many of these boxes on wheels are huge and boast of countless amenities.

Their occupants sit outdoors in the morning in very comfy lawn chairs while they surf their cell phones, the aroma of their breakfast coming from the kitchen inside or the portable grill they've brought with them. I wonder if the grills are too low to the ground for comfort or if they're saving them for marshmallows later on. It's rare to see someone sitting at the picnic table. It's usually empty or piled high with belongings. Instead there's a nice table set up for eating and recreation.

If the 'campers' are hanging around for a few days the outside may be more elaborate. Beautiful awnings have been erected, a flag pole is set up with Old Glory wafting in the breeze, potted plants appear, and maybe a portable fenced area erected to house the dogs. 

If my mom were still here she might rethink camping as a vacation option.