One Way to Beat High Gas Prices (Guaranteed!)

Photography & Video

July 1, 2008

Have high gas prices got you down? Have you been pondering whether to even take an RV trip this summer? Have you considered making your daily commute in an electric golf cart? Fear not, my friends. You can have your RV, and camp in it too.

Of course, the secret is simple. If you want to beat these skyrocketing gas prices, you simply need to…

Airstream RV Blog #70 – How to Beat High Gas Prices from Sean Michael on TheLongLongHoneymoon.com.

…camp close to home!

Of course, this is only one way to beat high gas prices. I’m sure there are others. But for me, camping close to home highlights much of what’s wonderful about owning an RV.

It’s counterintuitive, to be sure. When we buy our RVs, we think about hauling them all around the continent. We imagine traveling from Florida to Alaska and all points in between. But one of the most extraordinary aspects of RV ownership is the sense of adventure it brings to ordinary locations.

Camping, you see, is camping. Sure, it’s nice to camp alongside the rim of the Grand Canyon. But once the sun goes down and the campfire lights up, you find yourself focused on the fundamentals. The simple basics of the experience are what make it so enjoyable.

The first time I went camping, I was young – probably around seven or eight years old. I slept in a Boy Scouts sleeping bag. I awoke amidst chilly early morning air to the sound of chirping birds, and the sight of glistening dew. I had enjoyed a fantastic childhood camping memory, and it all transpired in my family’s backyard, in the shadow of our house.

Shortly after Kristy and I bought our Airstream, we tried camping in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Even in this most unromantic of locations, we discovered that RV camping was still surprisingly fun. There’s tremendous value in simply stepping outside your normal everyday comfort zone. There’s upside in trying something different, even if it’s something you’ve been ignoring for years.

As newcomers to the RV lifestyle, we also took our newly purchased travel trailer to a nearby state park. This particular park is one of the most spacious and beautiful in our state’s system. It is located about 10 miles from our home, and offers rustic camping amidst a recently upgraded campground. But we had ignored it for years. It took buying an RV to get us out of our house and into that forest.

Quite frankly, those who insist “there’s nothing to do here” are usually busy doing nothing. Most people ignore the opportunities that exist in their hometown.

Wherever you live, there’s plenty to do. The question is whether you appreciate and value it enough to get out and do it. Which brings me to today’s point about RVs, camping, and beating high gas prices.

You may think that you need to haul your RV 1000 miles away to have a good time. You’d be mistaken. Good times are had in the company of good friends and family. You can be lonely and miserable in Paris, London, New York, and Tokyo. You can be happy and satisfied in Mayberry.

Quite simply, if you’re concerned about how gas prices affect your RV travels, perhaps you need to look close to home. Some of the best experiences of your life await, and they may be found right in your own backyard.
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