| Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV | | | | campground directories. Also consider proximity to |
| vacation. It seems like fun and you'd like to try it, | | | | other attractions or landmarks that you want to |
| but you aren't sure if it's for you. Well, it's a | | | | visit. |
| growing industry. Annual RV retail sales topped | | | | 6. Flexibility: In an RV, you have the flexibility to |
| $14 billion in 2004. As baby boomers take to the | | | | change locations if you get the whim. But take |
| road, the RVing pastime and lifestyle are | | | | this with a grain of salt. For popular destinations, |
| becoming increasingly popular. If you have a hint | | | | you may not be able to pick up and find another |
| of the RV itch, then here are 10 common | | | | campground without a reservation. You also want |
| reasons for taking an RV vacation: | | | | to strike the right balance between seeing |
| | | | different areas, the amount of time spent driving |
| 1. Getting Back to Nature: If you are interested in | | | | and ensuring you have enough time to relax. |
| the great outdoors, an RV is a great way to | | | | Cautions aside, an RV can give you a lot of |
| vacation. You can visit state or national parks, | | | | freedom and spontaneity. RV travel appeals to an |
| tour famous landmarks and simply enjoy some | | | | inner pioneering spirit and allows you to create |
| fresh air and natural settings. Take a hike or go | | | | your own adventure as you go along your way. |
| fishing. Try white water rafting or canoeing. Play | | | | You can explore the country at your own pace |
| some golf, go swimming, ride your bike. Get | | | | or take off for last minute mini-vacations, |
| some exercise or simply do nothing but enjoy | | | | tailgating events and weekend trips. |
| your surroundings. | | | | 7. Affordability: The question of whether it is |
| 2. The Comforts of Home: In an RV, you can | | | | cheaper to take an RV vacation doesn't have a |
| have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the great | | | | "one size fits all" answer. The comparison really |
| outdoors with more creature comforts than tent | | | | depends on the type of vacations you would take |
| camping. Whether you own an RV or try a rental, | | | | instead, as well as the way in which you plan to |
| most RVs are well equipped. You will likely have a | | | | RV. For a one-time trip, you can compare the |
| kitchen with microwave, fridge and stove, a TV | | | | costs of renting a suitable RV to the costs of |
| and VCR, beds, living and dining areas and | | | | hotels, airfare or other means of travel. Or if you |
| bathroom with shower. Many RVs have slide out | | | | are considering regular RV vacations, you may |
| rooms that increase the living area at the touch | | | | want to purchase a motorhome or towable trailer. |
| of a button. You can sit outside under your | | | | In this case, you would need to factor in |
| awning, get out of the rain if the weather | | | | operating costs, maintenance and the purchase |
| changes, and turn on the air conditioner if it gets | | | | price. In an RV, you can save money by cooking |
| too hot. | | | | meals at home vs. dining out. You can minimize |
| 3. Family Matters: Family members of all ages | | | | expenses if you take advantage of activities and |
| tend to connect with each other when they are | | | | amenities already included in the campground rate. |
| away from their normal routine enjoying a simpler | | | | Fuel expenses can be managed by reducing the |
| lifestyle. Remember that family togetherness can | | | | distances traveled and staying longer at a given |
| be a double-edged sword. While the RV is | | | | campground or park. |
| comfortable, it is a small living area for a large | | | | 8. Driving the RV: Driving yourself gives you |
| family. If you are renting, bear this in mind in | | | | control over where you go and the pace of your |
| choosing the size of your rental RV. During the | | | | travel. You don't have the hassle of airline |
| day, try to spend time outdoors or in different | | | | counters and keeping to schedules. You can stop |
| activities, so that each family member gets a bit | | | | and take a break when you choose. You don't |
| of personal space and time for themselves. But | | | | need a special license to drive an RV. Sure, it |
| the minor logistics can be managed. The general | | | | takes some getting used to -- but the number of |
| consensus among RVing families is that an RV | | | | RVs on the road should tell you that it is doable. |
| vacation tends to bring the family closer together | | | | Practice on your own (or with one other person) |
| with more communication and the sharing of good | | | | before you load up your passengers. Take |
| times. | | | | advantage of any classes available through your |
| 4. Cool for Kids: An RV vacation can be a great | | | | dealer or one of the many RV organizations. |
| way to travel with children. They can go out to | | | | 9. How about a relaxing vacation for a change? |
| play or take part in campground activities. There | | | | How many times have you returned from a trip |
| are likely to be other kids to meet and new | | | | saying you need a vacation from the vacation? |
| places to explore. Children of all ages will enjoy an | | | | Now don't kid yourself - if you are the type who |
| old-fashioned campfire complete with stories, | | | | likes to schedule all the details of a trip, that's not |
| songs and stargazing. And most kids think it's | | | | going to change simply because you are traveling |
| pretty cool to be in an RV "home on wheels". | | | | in an RV. But in choosing an RV vacation, you |
| 5. Campgrounds: There are many choices in | | | | may shift your thinking and be more apt to use |
| campgrounds and RV parks. In peak season and | | | | your time off as an opportunity to truly relax and |
| tourist areas, you should make reservations. Look | | | | unwind. |
| for the amenities that are important to you. | | | | 10. Test out the RV Lifestyle: The RV vacation |
| Campgrounds may have swimming pools, lakes, | | | | may serve as a test drive to gauge your overall |
| boating, fishing ponds, miniature golf, playgrounds, | | | | interest in the RV lifestyle. There are RVers who |
| hiking trails, game rooms, walking or bike paths, | | | | spend several weeks per year in RV travel. Other |
| tennis courts and activities for kids and adults. | | | | RVers take off for months. Snowbirds are RVers |
| You may find dances, barbeques, contests or | | | | who make an annual trek to warmer climates for |
| other entertainment. RV Clubs are worth joining | | | | the winter season. And then there are fulltime |
| to get campground discounts and other services. | | | | RVers whose only home is their RV. Many of |
| Consider the size and setting of the campsites | | | | these people started out by vacationing in an RV |
| and check out overall campground ratings in | | | | as a way to try out the RV lifestyle. |