Camping in tents is for the young. I liked our motorhome because it had a toilet, inside beds, a fridge and a stove. If we could go somewhere with full hookups, it was heaven. "Dry" camping is a bit harder because you have to operate on battery or generator power and campgrounds have rules about running generators. Also you have to rely on your water tanks both fresh and sewer. But, it is still fun and no snakes bugs, etc. inside the motor home. Judith

:Hey Grandma Judith - can you still have Smores and be clean????? I'm in

I think it is a great idea.

When the kids were young we camped allover the west coast and New England, and we loved it. My son's family has kept it up, they camp a lot with the grand kids. So, this summer I am looking forward to going tent camping with them in New Mexico, Colorado. I thought of the camper idea, but I already have one with an 8,000 lb lead keel that needs 5 feet of water ;-). On the Chesapeake it really is a glorified waterborne camper.

Camping with friends might feel safer, but my guess is you are right, state campgrounds are probably fine. Besides, I suspect you are older, wiser, and more alert to potential trouble, so you will find it and avoid it before it finds you.

Good luck.

I just got on DS and saw this discussion! Wow, I am so there. Also wondered if I was crazy for thinking the same thing. Donnie and I looked forward to retirement to travel. Bought a fifth wheel and truck and made only 4 trips then he got very sick. I lost my husband and best friend in Sept 08.
I was very apprehensive about the first trip, but there was a rally and I took the plunge! Met some really nice widows who do the same thing. I want to travel more, but I did another crazy thing and bought a puppy (kids kept saying, "Mom you need a puppy.") WOW, that is a challenge for an old person like me. I should have adopted an old dog, more my speed. I must get this puppy socialized and TRAINED fast.
Anyway, My kids and friends are all for me doing this. There is a group (Sisters on the Fly) too. So interesting. Hugs and prayers, for whatever you might try, Darlene

Wow, I love this post. It brings back so many memories. My husband LOVED to camp. We did it the old fashion way, in a tent with no toilet!!! The kids loved it. One of the first vacations my husband and I took together was camping at the Kern River in Ca. We have been back there many times and made many memories. My husband and kids had a big camping trip planned for the spring. Maybe I will still take them. Hopefully he would be along to help me out --- in spirit, of course. Because I do not know anything about setting up a tent or lighting a campfire. He did it all. But I am pretty sure me and kids could learn, in his honor. Thanks for the idea!!! Hugs, Dawn

No...you are not crazy. I felt the same way and last spring I bought a small used motor home. I cleaned it all up...took it to the garage and had it examined and had a little work done on it. I joined CAA in case I have road trouble and keep my cell phone charged. I learned how to operate everything. I have such a feeling of accomplishment and I am able to go camping when ever I want. I stay in provincial parks (Canadian) I am so glad that I did it. Best decision that I have made. I can hardly wait for spring. You go girl! Hugs

there's a website called rvingwomen.com that might interest you.

NEWS FLASH: I found a small Toyota Class C motor home. It's an 1987 model but with only 58,000 miles. Kept under cover. Not a dent or a scratch on it. Wonderful inside. I am buying it tomorrow. My son, a mechanic, checked it out on the lift at his work and said it was good.
It has sleeping for 4 adults & 2 kids (if everyone is very close, ha,ha), toilet, shower, kitchen. I am SO excited, I may go out in it this week-end for a real short "break it in" type deal. Haven't felt this happy in a LONG time. Something to look forward to, to have fun, after all the long grieving where I didn't even WANT to live. I do want to live now. I'm at 15 months and starting to feel like a human being again. Thanks for all your stories! I really enjoyed them!

I have a camper for my pickup, but the bar to add on to use my horse trailer is very very heavy, but I too plan on doing some camping, but thinking about selling camper, large 4 horse trailer & all getting a 5th wheel with camping in front 2-horse trailer.
I have to go where I can ride my horses of course but I do go places without them....
I have a girlfriend we are thinking about planning a trip for several weeks to Alaska

I've been thinking the same thing I want a motorhome to hit the
road with my dogs, we were going to do that when we Jim retired
see the National Parks etc, kind of scary for me to think of doing it
alone....

Check out the rvingwomen.com site. It was suggested by camles08. I just checked it out and it looks great! I had a lot of fear, too, but now that I have taken the leap and am buying my little old RV tomorrow, I am excited! I wish the same for you, tpoulos!

There are offshoots from that group(RVW). Maybe we DS widows should have a rv GTG. I replied earlier about myself (tdarlene). I went to San Marcos, tx. on my first group trip in rv. Met some other widows. I hope to travel to Santos, tx. to catch up with the "Sisters on the Fly" rv group rally. Check it out, newroads, it's interesting. I'm so glad you posted and good luck on your new adventures. Hugs, Darlene

My husband and myself own a campground. Brian hated camping so that made it quite an interesting adventure-and turned out he loved The camping lifestyle and the folks just not the actual camping. We did plan on buying a camper and travelling around-in about 5 yrs when we retired. Now he's gone-way to young-and I dont know if I will do our dream or not. I think that you should try it. Rent a camper or a cabin a few times and ck it out. Or get a seasonal site somewhere that way it is safer and you will meet great people.

Go for it, but make sure you have a mechanic check it out first. what about a camperised van? Easier to park and sightsee with. Let us know what you decide. You can park im my driveway!!! Hugs, Wendy

THE END OF MY STORY:
I bought the camper today! It is mine! Driving it made me feel so empowered! I compared the van camper with the Class C and found that the van camper was just TOO compact for me. My RV has room for 6 to sleep, kitchen, shower, toilet, closet, dinette and large storage bins. No special license needed to drive it. I would compare it to driving a very large van, which I have done a lot with my church van. It drives so easily, I am 100% sure I made the right choice! Even my kids/grands love it. Looking to the future with excitement and joy! Thanks, again, to all who posted here. It was fun to hear your stories!
Love you all,
Kathleen