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August 2000

In the distance, a dust storm spirals in deliberate funnels, gradually towering to the sky, silently vanishing into a peppery cloud. The naked heads of three young bald eagles peer down from a massive nest erected on a light tower. Honey hued wheat fields change nap with the gentle persuasion of the wind as the ebony highway scissors the toasted landscape. Shards of sunlight penetrate a forest canopy, waking drowsy wildflowers quivering with bees. A cemetery of tumbled stone lies silently under a mountain’s shadow. Pencil thin cypress trees sweep down to orchards that lead to rivers flowing through cities, then disappear into azure oceans bordered by sable sand and salt cured seashells…

For months I agonized over what to get for H’s 40th birthday. Thirteen years of marriage with flexible careers allowed us to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries in myriad countries that spanned four continents. However, a milestone birthday necessitated a departure from customary celebrations. I thought I knew just what to do.

H frequently reminisced about adventure-packed camping trips he relished as a child; boasting of panoramic vistas, toasty campfire marshmallows, and the ever fascinating Forest Ranger Interpretive. On the other hand, I had never set foot in a campground. During my youth, holidays were spent in hotels, restaurants, and drive-in movies. Roughing it meant sand in my swimsuit.

Regardless, I was prepared to wow my husband with something out of the ordinary, even if it involved the ‘C’ word. Camping. So I set about renting an RV to whisk the love of my life away for the vacation of his life, unaware of the sequence of events about to unfold. 

The next summer we vacationed in a larger rental. The following year H purchased a motor coach sporting a leopard mural. A year later ‘Leo’ was traded for a colossal stainless steel structure on eight wheels. It housed three TVs and an automated rotation clothes rack, just like the drycleaner down the street. Two years later, it was replaced by a monstrous configuration of metal, rubber and glass that could scream down a highway with 515 horsepower and squeal to a halt on a dime with its almighty Jacob engine brakes. It became apparent that my vacations had been hijacked by a bus and I would never experience the joys of room service again. Somewhere along the way I joined the throngs of RV enthusiasts who travel in a house on wheels.

Owning or renting an RV has become a popular option for those who seek adventure on the road. It is estimated that over eight million motor homes roam North America, with baby boomers occupying the fastest growing segment of the market. One in every 12 vehicle-owning households process a Class A, B, or C motorhome, a conversion van, travel trailer, camper or fifth wheel travel trailer. It is estimated that RVs are a $15.75-billion dollar a year industry.

The typical RVer will travel 7000 miles annually over the course of 28 to 35 days. The journey of discovery is as pleasurable as arriving at the final destination. Unlike any other mode of transportation, RV travel on highways, byways or less-traveled back roads opens up a whole new way of exploring the country at a slower pace in comfy digs. It’s a big country out there and RVing allows you to see and do it all. Visit a national park. See the Northern Lights. Go skiing in the winter and scuba diving in the summer. Fish or golf your way across this great land of ours. Get out there and foster new friendships with people you might otherwise never have the pleasure of meeting.

Something happens when families spend time together. Bonds are built, secrets shared, discoveries made. With today’s hectic and demanding lifestyles, RVing is the perfect way to reconnect with family. Oh, and don’t forget Fido. He deserves a vacation from the daily grind too. Besides, he’d way rather hang out with you than the good folks at the boarding kennel.

Even with rising gas prices, RV travel offers a less expensive holiday alternative by combining air travel, car rental, accommodations and meals all in one. Fully equipped kitchens and baths, air conditioned bedrooms, satellite TV and Internet services offer today’s RVers all the amenities of home. Slide outs expand living spaces at the touch of a button and cargo bays store all the antiques and rocks you have amassed along the way.

The greatest aspect of travelling by recreational vehicle comes at the end of the day. Sleeping in your own bed. Nothing beats that. 

August 2007

Days turn into weeks as we explore mountains, basins and chasms. We browse, barter and buy until every conceivable storage compartment is filled to capacity. Ice cold mojitos relive the scorching heat as we play Scrabble under the shade of an enormous maple tree. A whole salmon is grilled on a bed of fresh rosemary and tarragon, paired with chardonnay from a local vineyard. The dogs mingle with fellow camping canines and share squeaky toys. We walk under star-studded skies in search of shooting stars and satellites. We fall asleep to the chilling scream of frogs in a distant pond and wake to the chorus of yellow warblers. Divine days exhale into balmy nights…  

Check out www.gorving.ca for advice, tips and resources on the RVing lifestyle. √

Contact Linda Bodo at lbodo@edmontonians.com or visit www.absolutebodo.com.  Click here to see archive editions of Absolute Bodo by Linda Bodo