I feel a little like Sam I Am. I will not eat them on a goat, or in a boat. I will not camp. Not in a tent, or in an RV.
But Robbin's comment on this post reminded me of a great story that I cannot believe I have never told. I have camped in an RV. It did not go well.
My parents had very little money when they were first married and when I was little. Everything they have built they have built themselves. They got married right out of high school and my Dad was shipped to Vietnam and then put himself through college and graduate school. He worked long hours while my mom raised two children on very little money.
On thing that was very important to them was family vacations. So someone, probably my father, came up with the bright idea that we would rent an RV by Deep Creek Lake. Now, I was little, so I don't remember much from this vacation. I do remember that the dog took one look at his living quarters for the week and started to shake. I remember it was small, tiny really. I remember that we rented the thing for a week and lasted two days, three tops.
My father, who loves nothing more than having his entire family together, looks upon this RV vacation with a fondness that no one else does. He will frequently bring up buying an RV and we all just look at him like he is crazy, crazy, crazy.
I am not camping. Even in an RV.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
haha! Wow! You ARE hardcore!!
Jodi has this this wonderful vacation all wrong. It was not in Deep Creek Lake. It was in the wonderful town of Spotsylvania, VA. The RV was not that small. It was big enough for the dining table to convert to beds for Jodi and her sister. She is right, though, the dog would not come into the RV. It was a memorable two nights and we all, except the dog, had a great time. We actually had a downpayment on the RV. After two nights I was forced by three other people to give up that fabulous vehicle. Now that there is 8 of us we should try again. Memories like these cannot be bought.
I would camp in an RV provided there is someone else to drive it and hook up the hideous “waste emptying tube.”
Otherwise, I’m with you – no camping. Sorry son, you and your dad can have all of the male bonding weekends you like.
LOL, I love that your dad (or maybe someone doing a mean impression of him) responded. It’s really amazing how two people experiencing the same event come away with entirely different memories. My sister and I have noticed some of this as we reminisce about events.
Tom and I camped once in a popup camper at Disney. It was actually awesome. But we didn’t have to deal with a portapotty, there was a public restroom/shower place not too far away. And it was just us, no dogs, no kids yet. And we got to spend all day park hopping via the Disney ferries and buses. AND it was in October, cause man, camping in FL in the summer? NO WAY!
I’m not sure when/how we’ll do camping with Nicky. He’ll have to be older that’s for sure. Fishing I can do (did!) but not camping yet.
I laughed so hard reading your post tears were running down my face. Your description of the camping experience was quite good. The only one who could tolerate it was your Father, now he is a big hotel snob and I can’t believe he still has such fond memories. I am with you and I hope I never have to camp again. I think camping is a male experience. Love, Mom.
In typical lawyer fashion you are arguing every point leaving no stone unturned. Heh. You make me laugh. Would you camp, overnight, say, indoors, you know, like for a sale at Nordstrom or something equally chic?
Love the mom/dad comments. Maybe a guest post. No last names of course!
camping, RVing, carvanning, whatever you call it is still exceedingly ucky. Nothing agood hotel bed can’t fix.
LOL! I keep telling my “outdoorsy” friends that I am just not into it. Don’t try to sell me a vacation spot by calling it “rustic.” Ever. It will not work. Although my OCD brain that likes miniatures and things in their proper place, does like the idea of an RV. But I’ve never actually camped in one. We used to say we were going to rent one for bluegrass festivals. I think I could handle that for a couple days, although it was much easier to think about before kids entered the picture!