In the August issue of the Good Sam Club member magazine, Highways, I wrote about my fears and trepidations about my 27 year old son’s RV tour through Mexico with his friend and his dog…all aboard a 1982 Minnie Winnie, completed with surfboards strapped to the top. Holding my breath for most of the trip, I had visions of rushing down to Mexico to “save” them from all kinds of lurking dangers, or even worse, having to try and bail them out of a Mexican jail.
Raising children has never been an easy task. Those of us who have been through it can look back at the joy, the craziness, and the frustrations of those years, and then reality hits. At some point, the kids grew up and we lost control. We teach them many things in life, but eventually they become adults and begin to make their own way in this world, whether we agree with it or not.
Both of my children have presented me with various challenges over the years. Watching them grow and testing their mother with their new found independence was a tiring, often sleepless experience, to say the least.
Somehow we all survived those teenage years. Despite my convictions that it would be impossible for either of them to survive without me, they moved on to college, to travel, to work and earn their own living – all without Mom to hold their hands.
Try as I might, I was unable to dissuade Ryan and his friend (also named Ryan) from taking their Mexico adventure. So I waited with baited breath, while these two young men, (both well over six feet) surfed their way through Baja and down the Mexican coast to Puerto Escondido, E-mailing and texting about what a great time they were having. The Winnebago held up, the surf was good, the Mexican people were helpful and friendly, and I’m sure they didn’t bother sharing some of their other experiences with me.
I breathed a sign of relief when my cell phone got the reassuring beep, texting they were back in the U.S., having made it successfully through Immigration. They were headed for a welcoming harbor….a Good Sampark in Arizona.
Little did I think that this would be where the real problems were lurking. When they pulled up to this beautiful resort-like campground in the elderly Winnebago with the surfboards on the roof, they were told in no uncertain terms that this was a 55+ park. However, since it was the middle of July, they would be allowed to stay for one night only. While checking in, an elderly resident approached the manager to make sure that there were absolutely no children on board. The dog wasn’t exactly welcomed either – Ryan was informed by another resident that he had to drive the dog in his car (which didn’t exist) to the “dog area” of the park.
All of us in the recreational vehicle and campground industries often wonder why the younger generation doesn’t embrace our wonderful RV lifestyle. It’s just too bad that some RVers have difficulty accepting fellow campers who may not be of the same generation, have the same interests, or have the same level of rig because these problems don’t always occur.
When my children were young, I took pride in exposing my children to the adventure of travel. From the time they were babies, they traveled, mostly by RV, throughout the United States and Canada. We took trips to Mexico and rented motorhomes in New Zealand. Their sense of adventure still remains and I am happy that they want to continue these adventures, even without Mom along!
Tristan
I know how your son might feel. My wife and I stayed at a Good Sam park in Port Richey Florida this past December. The people at the front desk were nice enought but I was bit surprised when I was told by the receptionist that they didnt take credit or debit cards! It had to be cash!
This was a fact they neglected to tell us when we called them to see if they had a spot for us.
We chalked it up to the fact I’m of Hispanic decent and maybe they figured I was going to try passing off “stolen” debitor/credit cards. We laughed about that on the way to our parking spot.
Well after we parked we decided to take our yorkie for a walk and passed several dozen people either standing or walking past and only one and I mean one gentleman paused to welcome us to the RV Park. This was including the “block captain” who was standing there taliking with several paople as we strolled by. My wife said hello and just got a sideways glance forn the group of mostly women.
I made the remark after seeing what they did that it was just our luck we stopped at a RV Park for the mentaly challenged! I know they heard that one! We will never stay at that park again. Matter of fact Florida might not be our future destination of choice. We stayed a few days in Missisippi on our way down and never had met such nice freindly folks! And their rest stops are RV freindly also. just about every one we stopped at had free dump stations! Call me disenchanted with the Sinshine State!
Zed
I’m 26 and full timing in my RV (5th Wheel) going on three years now – and I can say with honesty that I have met some great people who are much older than me, but not really all that different (aside from asking me to fix their wi-fi or computer or TV…); I travel by myself most of the time and I’ve been surprised at just how friendly and helpful people are. And almost every host/hostess has been awesome and pretty caring – one hostess told me that I needed to have a home-cooked meal and brought food over to share…I thought it was funny since I cook almost every night (although her lasagna did taste better than mine…which came from a box…).
I’ve run into a few parks (namely near Las Vegas and in Florida) that can be exclusive to guys like me – I remember being turned away near Las Vegas because the attendant assumed I was there to “drink, be rowdy and keep company with loose women,” (really? who says that to someone?) never caring to hear the fact that I was there for a work interview and to visit the Sky Walk near the Grand Canyon. I’ve never gotten upset over it though – a business can choose its customers and be exclusive if it makes them feel special; it’s kind of akin to the exclusive Country Club where like-minded people do like-minded things, and that makes them happy.
But, those places are the exception. I do tend to run into mostly older neighbors, but I’ve learned that age isn’t everything. A 50-something RV veteran can still roll over his chock blocks or leave their TV antenna extended just like I did my very first time getting on the road…and can laugh about it just the same. The joy of being in an RV is meeting new people and seeing new places – I haven’t cared enough to let exclusivity (no matter the criteria) ruin that for me; I can always just wheel down to the closest Wal-Mart and save my dollars for a camp that cares.
Vaughn Burckard
We are late 50’s and brand new Rv’ers. I do not understand all the commotion over park rules. All across this country, brick & mortor communities set up rules, etc. and no one seems to mind. Just live elsewhere. Why hold the RV Park community to different standards. We built in the country so we didn’t have to get approval to plant flowers, from a home owner association. So, I expect there are parks that will not invite our 5th wheel.
When the house sells, we anticipate being full timers, so maybe our opinion will change in time.
Jack Iversen
The “dog issue’ needs addressing at the campground owners/insurance carriers level. Rules specifying weight limitations were promulated by the insurance industrty but too readily accepted by management who felt that “most of the campers” would like a dog-free park. Inconsiderate owners have made things worse. We travel with a young German Shepherd Dog who is well-trained, friendly towards everyone (including other animals) and is always leashed, under control and picked-up after. (I venture that he causes less trouble than a lot of people…) WE resent NO PET policies…but live with them because we sometimes have to. Probably wouldn’t like those places anyway…..
Marie
Great blog! I am the age of the “old foggies” but have been camping a loooooong time and met some of the nicest people of all ages. My husband and I started camping in a two man tent w/a dog. When the children came along we moved up to a 9X12 tent, then an Apache solid side, travel trailer, 5th wheel and now I drive a motor home. My husband passed away 3 years ago and the people I meet help with my loss. More good people than old grumps-over look those who are disagreeable and have a good time. Marie Braswell
Ryan Bray
First off, thanks for all the great comments.
I saw a few here on here that I thought deserved a reply and/or clarification:
LEH said: “I would hope your 27 yo son has not led such a sheltered life that he can’t laugh of grumpy old men like he encountered.”
Reply: Thanks for the comment LEH. Trust me, we laughed quite a bit. I had a hard time keeping a straight face when the security guard suggested we use our (non-existent) tow vehicle to transport the dog to the official “dog run” area.
Lisa Roth said: “I’ve heard of parks in Florida where if your dog isn’t small enough to be carried, you can’t stay at that park. Apparently everyone has to carry their dog to the dog walk area. Needless to say, we don’t ‘camp’ there with our very well behaved, *non-barking*, friendly, lovable 65lb black lab.”
Reply: I agree Lisa. A “no walking your dog, even on a leash” rule at a “dog friendly” campground seems pretty silly. I waited until the cover of darkness to sneak my dog (well behaved 75pd boxer) over to the dog run. 😉
Marshall said: “So sorry your kid’s ran in to grumpy old people.I am 61 and try very hard not to be an old grouch.I love to r.v. with my grand children.What a wonderful way to bond with them.”
Reply: Thanks Marshall, but it really wasn’t all that bad, we got a pretty good chuckle out of it. RVing definitely is a bonding experience. While we were on the road, I had quite a few childhood memories come rushing back. There are certain sights, sounds, and smells particular to the RV lifestyle, that brought back vivid memories from vacations 15+ years ago.
Bob Lawrence said: “Maybe they thought they would be welcomed with open arms since there mother is a big wig with the Good Sam Club.
Did Sue Bray ever think about how people in 55 plus parks want it that way for a reason?”
Reply: The site was registered under my friends name so we didn’t receive special treatment. I have always preferred humble sincerity to lavish false pretense. To answer your question that was directed to my Mom: I’m pretty sure that’s why she wrote the article. She is trying to change the 55+ mindset to be more accepting of a younger generation of RVers. Why? Because young people are showing a growing interest in the RVs. As new technologies emerge, it is becoming cheap and easy to work remotely. This means more young, tech savvy people have the option to live the full time lifestyle and keep their careers.
TXBrad said: “Interesting issues/comments ! But, RVingParks are no different than restraunts,stores, public ( city parks), etc, People can be great or ? w/ kids & dogs
But, ( so far ? ) we have the choice to not come back or leave. There is a web site that you can check user’s comments & enter your experience…There is much WE can DO & RV parks can do & do better.”
Reply: You had some great comments Brad that I completely agree with. If there had been a park closer to the downtown area, or if we had gotten into Tucson before 6PM, we definitely would have headed to something that looked like a better fit. Ryan, my friend with the rig, was supposed to leave comments on the website letting people know that the park was a) enormous and felt somewhat sterile b) has a 55+ policy and odd rules about dogs. I will follow up with him to make sure it happens.
Once again, I want to thank everyone for being so active with the comments. It is heartening that the article made so many of you think about the balance between security and liberty that goes on in campgrounds across the country. Not all that different from much larger issues that we see on the news everyday.
Ryan Bray
Bob
It’s BATED breath, not baited. Comes from abate. Your vocab lesson for the day from a retired math teacher.
Nick Russell
There are a lot of parks where we would not be welcome in our 1976 MCI bus conversion. No problem, we wouldn’t want to go there anyway.
It’s not worth getting uptight about, just go on down the road to someplace where you and your money are wanted.
cheryl pierce
My husband and I are currently in Southern Washington in a Thousand Trails campground. We are park ed shoulder to shoulder with other r.v.ers. and rental trailers just two spaces away. We are seniors, the kids having fun sounds but shrill screaming and dogs howling for long periods, can be overwhelming.
My husband is part of the guilty group with two small dogs, best talk to him
TXBrad
Interesting issues/comments ! But, RVingParks are no different than restraunts,stores, public ( city parks), etc, People can be great or ? w/ kids & dogs
But, ( so far ? ) we have the choice to not come back or leave. There is a web site that you can check user’s comments & enter your experience.
Park operators can do better in making one’s stay a great one. Issue clear /reasonable rules upon signing in. Drive/walk their park several times. They can “speak” suggest to people out of line & speak with other guests. It makes us feel great for a park rep. stops by to say hello, How is it going ?Anything we can do for you?
Also, we are seeing parks that have separate areas for “full timers” long stayers.
And, you can “ask the park” ( some will ask us) We want a quiet space away for pool & kids. or We have kids & would like a space near poolplay area.
If people will communicate , they can usually get a great visit !
Getting younger people into RV ing: A lot is up to us! Take grand kids for a short week-end; they can encourage their parrants, take your older children for a weekend. Get them to rent an RV & go w/ you. Take them to a RV show, rally, club meeting etc. Many need to see ” there are young RVers
Show them how to start small ( tent tag trl.), and w/ time & income trade up & by retirement have a nice A coach.
There is much WE can DO & RV parks can do & do better.
Bill
Memo to Bob Dawson, reference Pahrump, NV.
I hope you went to Terribles Lakeside in Pahrump after the snobbish treatment you got else where in NV. Terribles Lakeside is one of the finest RV parks in southern Nevada and they accept Passport America and other discount clubs as well. Plenty to do although the food in the casino has deteriorated lately.
We only live “over the hump from Pahrump” in Las Vegas but take weekend trips over there 2 or 3 times a year. They like old fogies, dogs (well behaved and cleaned up after) and lots for kids to do (swimming, boating on the lake, fishing for bass and blue gill, ride their bikes and roll in the grass under the pine trees).
Hope you will visit NV again. We have lots to do with friendly people.
Bill
E/ David Barker
When my dad was an old codger he refused to move to a seniors only neighborhood because he wanted to hear children laugh and play. Now that I am 70, I understand. I do not like to be around grumpy old folks who know all the answers and complain about kids, dogs, etc. It is not just the young who are inconsiderate — in fact they do not have it down to an art like some of the old folks do.
bob dawson
I retired in may 07. Before retiring we purchased a 94 diesel pusher and a used geo tracker with a carrier for my wifes electric scooter.
All units are in excellent condition in and out. No pets, children or slides.
We have a coast home park in missouri.
Our first trip was a western tour with the grandson 8000 miles with all the tourist stops to vegas and back via the grand canyon. Great summer.
In January we started on the south circuit . When we arrived in the winter texan area we found you are second class with no slides and a motor home over 10 years old and no old small dog to carry.
I found the worst people in parks with the most rules, most expensive rigs, and signs warning to not be late with this or that payment.
I have a soft top on the tracker and use a dowel rod to attach the rear window bottom. The most up tight park I stayed in was in Tuson, Az.. Lots of people walking and riding bikes and checking strangers. The next morning when getting ready for the road I found someone had taken the dowel rod…..I purchased an extra in case another crafters may have it for a project.
I was turned away from a coast park in Pahrump, Nv even tho I had a reservation because the old lady in the office thought I was not propertly dressed for her park.
I find most people are great if they enjoy life don t outfit beyond their means and get too protective of their great stuff. Many people buy great high priced rigs then camp in shopping centers and pretend they are in a club of some kind.
We are prepared to go again this year and plan to use a great sense of humor and keep track of the hobby crowd as much as possible.
I am 68 wife 65 and I cancelled my aarp because l like my children and grandsons and am too young to be a grouch. I feel sorry for the uptight folks who have stopped living.
bob retired in missouri with an empty rv diesel tank, my bible and air pistol
Phil
People who congregate with their own kind get what they deserve. A bunch of cranky old people.
I just turned 75 in years, but not attitude!
Lisa Roth
I’ve heard of parks in Florida where if your dog isn’t small enough to be carried, you can’t stay at that park. Apparently everyone has to carry their dog to the dog walk area. Needless to say, we don’t ‘camp’ there with our very well behaved, *non-barking*, friendly, lovable 65lb black lab.
Now, we’ve been traveling full time for 5 years and I work summers in a campground in the northeast (5th summer now). Most of the folks with large dogs clean up after them pretty well, with only a few exceptions. The folks with small dogs aren’t always as thoughtful; I guess it’s cause they think the poo is too small to be noticed. 😀 (We’ve been in state parks in CA, private and military parks in AZ, NM, KS, CO, NV, LA, TX, FL, GA, NC, MD, CT.)
As far as young children and teens are concerned, every single weekend, I go around and clean up my gardens after kids have torn plants out of the soil, clip off empty stalks where kids have pulled off blooms and buds, pulled beer cans and bottles (ok, that’s probably an adult leaving those) and soda cans, empty cups, and candy wrappers out of the gardens, etc etc. I watch the housekeeping crew go around picking up litter from every place you can imagine. A couple of weeks ago, someone threw a full garbage can into the pond. The other day, someone actually… but nevermind… you don’t want to hear that one!
However, I firmly believe that these incidents are perpetrated by the *minority* of kids. Most of the kids who visit here are nice, friendly, happy kids we’re more than happy to have visit the campground. They’re here to have fun and you should see their faces when they run a race and win a blue ribbon! We have hundreds of pictures of happy kids and happy parents and grandparents.
The 21 to 30 age group can be either fantastic or totally horrible. The majority are really great and super at cleaning up after themselves; the others drink way into the night, loud and obnoxious, sometimes fighting, etc. They can spoil the camping weekend for families tenting in the same area. Or they can offer some great conversations, new insights into old issues, and a chance for us to encourage the camping lifestyle. Our kids are 30 and 31 and currently tenters. I imagine someday they’ll ‘progress’ to an RV. I can’t picture them ever NOT camping, whether in a tent or an RV.
When it comes to chosing a campground to visit, we’ll take one that accepts *people* and skip the ones with mega rules and limitations.
Jerry Williams
My wife and I are new to the RV scene and we have had some “Close Encounters” with young and old. We have found that age has nothing to do
with you being an angel or a butthead. We all are one or the other at sometime
to someone. If you are always worried about what kind of people or neighbors
you are going to have while you are out, why go? Drive up and down your driveway and look at postcards! Live Life!!
I’m 62 and I feel 19. I don’t want to waste this wonderful life I have been given.
Marshall Holybee
So sorry your kid’s ran in to grumpy old people.I am 61 and try very hard not to be an old grouch.I love to r.v. with my grand children.What a wonderful way to bond with them.
Marshall
Marshall Holybee
So sorry your kid’s ran in to grumpy old people.I am 61 and try very hard not to be an old grouch.I love to r.v. with my grand children.What a wonderful way to bond with them.
Marshall
LEH
Another thought about Sue Bray’s question, where are the young folks?: These are much different times than 20 or 30 years ago, and I don’t mean the cost of gas. When my daughter was growing up we tent camped a lot. Weekends were open. Nowadays, my two grown kids and six grandkids are on the go from Friday to Sunday with soccer, weekend field trips, baseball, football, wrestling, dance recitals, etc etc. Our rving friends often end up dry camping in the parking lot where the soccer tournament or track meet or you name it is taking place. Summer school, summer camps, lots of activities happen now that we didn’t have 30 years ago. Maybe because working moms need something to keep the kids busy because they aren’t home during the day?
Notwithstanding the gas prices, the rv parks around my neck of the woods, northern CA, still seem to have lots of families in rv’s and tents. So, Sue, is there really a problem? Or are we just seeing another manifestation of the changes in our society since our kids were youngsters?
Wink
I under stand the dog thing as I have not seen any one pick up after there dog in our last three trips.And that includes a few that dumped in the middle of the road or in two cases on the walk to the bath house.
Kids are OK when there parents don`t let them run wild as some do.
Bob Lawrence
We presently workcamp in a city park in Missouri.
We see family’s every week come in, let the dogs run free and the kids run amock thruout the park.
It’s not my job to teach the parents how to behave with their kids, but I would sure like to.
The two kids in this story should have found a park that caters to family and younger people instead of staying here.
Maybe they thought they would be welcomed with open arms since there mother is a big wig with the Good Sam Club.
Did Sue Bray ever think about how people in 55 plus parks want it that way for a reason?
Alan
I am 50 now and have traveled the United States, Starting with a used 69 Puma Popup camper, truck camper and 2 differend travel trailers and finally an 08 Montana 5th wheel.
Its funny when you buy up you get more respect. Its also a shame because we are all out here camping for the fun. Not to show off our new toy or degrade nice people for thier old one.
I love meeting new people whether they are in a tent or high dollar motor home.
Lets give everyone a chance to have the same kind of fun we did when we were young.
I am sure we were not always the best camp neighbor!
Gail
Well the park was probably Voyager and from stopping to check it out a couple of times I believe they are very anal and rule-bound to the max.
As for a 55+ park…I would ALWAYS pick such a park if possible as most parents today do not know or care to exert CONTROL over children. Too much of the Hippie blood got passed along I guess.
LEH
I would hope your 27 yo son has not led such a sheltered life that he can’t laugh of grumpy old men like he encountered. As Nick noted, boorish behavior has no age restrictions, young or old or in-between can all be guilty of not respecting others rights.
I travel for my work and stay in a lot of different types of parks. I’ve always had good experiences, even with folks that I initially thought would be bothersome. As Mish said above, Don’t assume anything! 45′ million $$ DPs or 12′ beat up travel trailers, you can find good folks and not so good folks in any type of rig.
Nick
Don’t understand why anyone would want to stay in an over 55 RV park. Seems contrary to the idea of RVing.
I am 69 and wife is 67. We are disappointed when we stop at a campground and there are few children. The sound of kids having fun is a plus to our experience.
On the other hand, adults who must play radios, TV’s and will not control there animals contribute negatively to our experience.
Mish
It’s too bad the folks in the RV park weren’t more welcoming. My DH and I are 30-somethings and just bought our first RV so we can travel with our 6 year old twins. So far we haven’t run into this, but we have stayed at campgrounds were this is a bigger variety of ages.
I can say from experience that it’s easy to judge a book by its cover. During our last trip to a state park campground, there was a ground of teens in the sight across from us. Our first thought was, “Oh great…we’re going to have to deal with noise”. That could not have been further from the truth. It turned out to be a church youth group with two adult advisors along, and we were treated to the sounds of Christian music, complete with a guitar. We sang along at our own site and afterward went over to meet them. They were from a church in a neighboring city to ours.
Just shows you…don’t assume anything!