Camping is a way of life
Have you ever¬†day dreamed about going camping?¬† You know… like the¬†people in an L.L Bean catalog.¬† Sitting there in your flannel shirt with the duckbilled waterproof boots, holding a steaming hot cup of coffee while staring at an open fire with your chocolate lab contently looking on.¬† I‚Äôm willing to bet we‚Äôve all¬†had these ‘romantic’ visions, perhaps¬†some of us more than others.¬† I know for me and my wife, we talk about this recreation all the time, but have yet to act upon it for several reasons, such as time and funds.¬† It does have¬†a certain attraction¬†to it, don‚Äôt you think?
Just you¬†and nature, maybe with a rifle in hand, eating and sleeping in the great outdoors, no cell phones or traffic, no boss or deadlines, what could possible be better?¬†¬†Before we get too far in our dreams,¬†let’s include the wife and kids, since they look so happy in all the ads; and besides it‚Äôs a great way to bond and spend some real quality time together, right?¬† Well, it sounds and looks¬†good, and from the comfort of air-conditioning and your¬†Lazy Boy recliner it may even feel good, but in reality there¬†is much¬†to consider before you make firm plans in doing this yourself.
Camping has been a favorite pastime for many families for years, and it has recently gained huge momentum with individuals looking to escape the everyday grind by retreating to the woods and mother nature. This is all good and well, but know before you go familiarize yourself with what to expect and what you’re getting yourself and family into. 
One of the first decisions is where are you going and for how long.  This will dictate what you need to pack and in what quantities.  An example would be an overnight trip to a state park vs a week long adventure to the Florida Keys.  What necessities will you need on a daily basis and what are you willing to do without?  Are you a tent person or someone who needs more, like the comfort of an RV?  There are huge differences in amenities and the natural feeling of being in the safety of your own home.  Tents are very basic and for the most part have only changed a little since their inception.  They lie flat on the ground (once erected) separating you from the full elements with a thin piece of canvas or rubber/plastic flooring and a zipper.  They usually offer little in the way of insulation and they are relatively inexpensive and easy to set up and break down. There is a trend however that offers tents with a lot of creature comforts including rugs in the floors.
RV‚Äôs come in a multitude of sizes and configurations ranging from models that are¬†towed behind an automobile, to full fledged diesel powered jobs equipped with washers and dryers and flat screen TV’s.¬† Price ranges¬†from low to ‘OMG ‘! for¬†each of these different models and as usual, the bigger and nicer you get, the more costly they become.¬† Next where do you plan on camping?¬† Like it or not, there aren‚Äôt camping facilities on every corner and most of the better known ones stay pretty full year round.¬†
Give this some real thought before you make hard and fast plans as you may find out that there’s no place to go when you and your family are ready.  Incidentally, setting up in the parking lot of an all-night Wal-Mart is no different than waiting for stores to open the day after Thanksgiving, and in no way insinuates living in the wild.
Items like camping equipment, cooking arrangements, coolers, ice, food, toilet provisions and more are often overlooked until they become crucial and no convenient place to pick them up.  Other huge stress factors that are often lost in the excitement are simple things like an iPod/laptop hook up to the internet or simply a portable battery powered radio.  Unless you are looking into the higher end RV’s, some of these options are just not available.  Make a list and check it no less then six times, especially if you are planning on taking your family with you.  I suggest you rent before you buy (if ever) and give this form of recreation a try.
Most RV dealers have rental options available making your decision that much easier. If you don‚Äôt like the one you rented you get to give it back and try another one.¬† For those who are going with the tent approach, good low cost models are available at any major retailer.¬† So what if you buy a tent and then decide¬†it’s not for you, can you return it? Well that is going to be up to the retailer.¬† Otherwise, SearchAmelia.com’s FREE classified listings, eBay or Craigslist are good alternatives to sell your camping gear. Just remember one thing, regardless of what direction you take your camping adventures, if you go out to eat while actively involved in ‚Äúoutdoor living,‚Äù or go home to use the bathroom, it really doesn‚Äôt count and your chances of making it onto the cover of Land‚Äôs End will be non-existent.
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