Looking at RVs in the snow
Despite the obvious irony of looking at recreation vehicles in early February, I caught the bug (along with lots of others) at the RV show at the fairgrounds this weekend.
I went to sit in The Evening News booth, talk to folks about newspapers and maybe get some good suggestions. I chuckled as I pulled into the parking lot and saw the rigs parked outside in the snow.
I had no intention of looking at RVs. Hadn’t crossed my mind. But, naturally, I took a spin around the new Monroe County Fairgrounds exhibit hall, just to stretch my legs.
I was hooked.
I’ve always been a camper. My family camped across the country on summer-long road trips when I was a kid (my parents were both teachers). I subjected my children to car camping, wilderness backpacking and cross-country trips in a mini-van.
But I’ve never done the RV thing. Oh, I’ve looked before. But I was always able to turn my back and proudly announce that a tent was good enough for me.
Until today. Maybe it was the snow outside. Maybe it was all those bells and whistles on modern trailers, fifth wheelers, motor homes and such. Or maybe I’m finally reaching the age where carrying my tent on my back into the wilderness doesn’t sound as appealing.
I found myself really looking at those RVs. Especially the ones with air conditioning and heated mattresses.
Luckily, my wife wasn’t with me. She’s always been more interested in luxury camping than me. She may have seen my weakness and pounced.
I was able to resist, but plenty of others took the plunge. I heard from one official that more than 20 RVs were sold at the weekend show.
Oh, well, my tent is still in good shape - years of good use left in it.