Why you should go on a camping trip in 2020
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There is so much I want to tell you about camping trips! I used to think camping is what people do when they want to save money. Instead of booking a hotel. Sure, some people do. But this year I met some “campers at heart” who shone a new light on camping.
A sense of community
Campers are a community. Kind of like backpackers. You immediately know you have something in common, shared experienced and an inviting atmosphere around you. Some campers camp for the community’s sake. Either meeting new people or just spending time with fellow campers they already know. There is some deep rooted satisfaction coming from sitting around a fire in a circle at night. Evolutionary biologists surely would be able to tell you more about that phenomenon.
Fresh air
There is an argument for fresh air every day. Far beyond the point of walking from the door to the car and back. As in, waking up and going for a morning stroll. Seeing the sun rise. Experiencing the seasons out in nature.
Choosing camping trips over hotel stays
One day, Sabrina and I joined neighboring campers by their fire. It was on our first RV trip. We were still in shock about much RVing costs and mentioned this. One of the guys leaned closer to the flames, swallowed his Tennessee Fire and said: “Look, it isn’t cheap to own all this shit! We just love camping”
Camping doesn’t have to mean sacrifice
Next thing we knew we got a tour of their RV. Technically, so I learned, it’s called a Fifth-wheel. Feel free to google that if you care. It’s pulled by a pick-up truck with 395PS. Inside we saw a fire place, a fully equipped kitchen even with an island. And an en-suite bathroom, several slide-outs to make the living room into a space bigger than my first apartment. We marveled at the decadence.
And yet, this couple still cooks every meal outside, sits around their fire every night and drives around during the days. Except when we were there. It was just before Thanksgiving, so they were preparing to roast their turkey the next day. On an outdoor grill, of course.
Over the years they had bought all kinds of gadgets to make camping trips more convenient. Down to the extendable stick that holds marshmallows so you don’t have to search for sticks when you crave s’mores.
But they wouldn’t think of going to a hotel. They’d feel like they’re missing out. They said they are “campers at heart” We had such a fun evening, making friends there. And by the end there was no doubt it wouldn’t have happened in a hotel. We would have never met. Wouldn’t have learned about all the things they told us and wouldn’t have seen 3 RVs from the inside.
We heard similar stories from other campers this summer. One time during a group tour I lead, I invited a couple to join us around our fire. Next morning they hosted a delicious breakfast for us. Now we exchange post cards. Guess where I send them! To the campsite.
If you’d like to try out a camping trip, without having to invest in all kinds of equipment yourself, check out G Adventures. They offer small group trips to all the coolest destinations.
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