Some of you have reached out and asked how we are doing. You are wanting an update on how we are holding up during a pandemic in a camper. Well, here it is, the good, the bad and the ugly.
In early to mid March we were in Alabama learning about the impacts of the virus the same way everyone else was. Through Facebook and a few of other of our “trusted” news outlets, etc. Only the super reliable media. (Relax, it’s sarcasm). Our Federal, local and county agencies were closing schools, businesses, and churches on a daily basis. I remember being in a state of constant confusion. We, the United States of America, as a country we are presently, have never experienced anything like this. Everyday I would wake up and reach out for the most up to date information I could find, all the while considering the source. Now, if you think I’m going to say, “That was a huge mistake! It’s all scare tactics and false reporting!” Wrong. You really don’t know a thing about me and I’m going to need you to fill out a new application for friendship.
From the beginning, Rob and I have been engaged and aware of everything happening all around us. Living healthy in a camper has its own set of challenges, I couldn’t imagine having this virus while living in a camper. Could you?
Some parts of our lives have remained the same. We still live in a camper, we still get out for our walks everyday, we still go to the grocery store in extended intervals, etc. We still stop, look around and are grateful for everything we have because this is the life we chose. And still choose today.
Now I’m probably going to lose a few of you here. For those of you that I do and you’re up for a challenge, ask me if I care. And don’t be crying around when I answer.
The actions of a few are displacing full time RVers by the droves. They are being forced out of “safer” locations and into places with close quarters and a higher risk for infection. A person carrying the virus may be forced into moochdocking (living in your rig on someones property that you know) with a relative that is in the higher risk category. We all know Grandma can’t stand knowing you are there and not want to hug you. And now Grandma is sick because someone wanted to walk the state park trails with their friend(s), not being 6 feet apart. Stop doing that. Walk with your friends but maintain distance, don’t group up.
Or a group of campers camping on BLM land are social distancing and doing their part but now they have to leave because the government shut the land down. Why? Because a dipshit couple and 3 other families that always camp together are having potluck dinners together every night. Stop doing that. If you camp, don’t gather around one family’s fire for s’mores, or anything for that matter.
Rob and I have been using our country’s state park systems. State parks are typically used for camping by our weekend friends and they go just as quickly as they come. Not only are they less populous, but the sites are set further apart than some traditional private parks. Making social distancing a breeze. We don’t use public facilities like restrooms and shower houses. But we do use the laundry facility when available. Usually only the campground host is doing their laundry so with good hygiene I don’t have to worry about the contamination a public laundromat could have. Check-in has been completely online so human contact upon arrival is non-existent. These particular facilities have worked well for us (knock on wood). But because of the shitty decisions some people are choosing to make at these locations, we have been forced out, forced out of beautiful parks in North Carolina and Kentucky, and it really sucks.
Our full time RVing community in our age group is over one million strong in the United States. Over one million of us have lost our ever loving minds and chosen a lifestyle unique to each one of us. But what we are all seriously losing is our “safer” locations to live. As we go into the surge, this virus is far from over and so is the human’s ability to make bad decisions. But I’m asking for me and 999,999 of my friends, STOP. DOING. THAT.
I don’t give a shit, as with most things, where you fall on the political meter.
In the meantime…
