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| Sunrise at a campsite right next to the beach |
Every type of camping
brings out ardent supporters, from the Type A bus-like motor homes usually
driven by an older couple to a tent or two for a family to the individual
hikers with just a hammock and backpack. The closest we came to camping in our
adult life was living on our sailboat on weekends and vacations, with a
bathroom, stove, icebox, beds, and even a microwave in one of them. Much to our
dismay, we sold our last sailboat 10 years ago after 25 plus years of sailing
together as Karl’s back stopped cooperating. We missed it. Road trips staying
in hotels or cottages, while fun, provide a different kind of experience.
So, seven years ago with
a burst of enthusiasm and no camping experience, we bought a very used
10-year-old RoadTrek 190. Though old and requiring maintenance fairly
frequently, we loved the travel experience. After almost five years we found
out that replacements rather than repairs lurked in the very near future. After
15 years no one made parts anymore for the original equipment in the camper. We
allowed ourselves to be convinced we needed to go bigger. A Type C, 24’ long,
100” wide with plenty of room and only one year old came to our attention, and we
bought it. It lasted a year.
We loved the room, but
discovered that a lot of the small town Main Streets, local restaurants with
tiny parking lots, back roads, and even the state and county parks we
frequented simply could not handle a vehicle that size comfortably or easily,
or in some cases at all. We realized we needed to start towing a car for our
destination jaunts, but still ended up passing by many interesting places while
traveling. Karl tells people we explore more than camp and relish the journey
along with the destination, an excellent way to describe our travel style.
Realizing from
experience that mobility and fitting in the off the beaten path locations we
prefer matter more to us than a lot of space, back we went to a van. Many
people complain about what a pain it is to unhook and use the RV as main
transportation once they settle into camp.
As former sailors, getting everything unhooked and stowed before getting
underway comes as second nature to us. The Travato 59K just arrived at the
dealer when we did. Our first and decisive walkthrough occurred in the
detailing area, with me helping the staff pull plastic off the seats so I could
test the driver and passenger captain’s chairs. The open layout makes it seem
much bigger than its 21’, it contains an enclosed full bathroom which our
RoadTrek lacked, and the front wheel drive means it handles well and our
mileage is great. Best of all, we fit comfortably in a standard sized parking space.
Once again we pulled over and parked on the small Main Streets to walk around
the town, fit comfortably into the small parking lots of family owned
restaurants along the way, and stopping wondering where we would pull over when
we encountered an oncoming vehicle as we navigated the often narrow and curvy
roads into various parks and preserves.
Over a year into the
purchase, we know we made the right decision. We go everywhere in our van, from
day trips to short hops to longer excursions, and our accommodations go with
us. Vans do not fit most people’s idea of a RV, but for those like us it is
perfect.
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