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Written by SHARLENE MINSHALL
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Thursday, 01 September 2011 00:00 |
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 If you’ve been an RVer for any length of time, especially a full-timer, I’ll bet somebody somewhere has asked you, “But what do you do with all your time?” And I’m just as sure that you have replied in great amazement, “I’m busier than I was before I retired!”
Most RVers are active, although there are some who back in, hook up, put out the slides, and rarely ever leave their rolling palaces. That is their choice, but I have heard some of those same people complain because the RV campground they picked wasn’t a friendly place. How would they know unless they got out, got busy and made friends?
RVers who are extremely active are very noticeable with their kayaks or bicycles clinging to the back of the RV or strapped to the tow car roof. Others have an ATV, fishing boat, or motorcycle on a trailer or maybe they have them all hidden inside a toy hauler.
 The little things they use with these toys are carried inside, like the GPS unit for ATV exploring or geocaching adventures. If you dig deep enough, you may find face masks and flippers for snorkeling; tanks and other gear for deep sea diving, and who knows, maybe a foldable boat or kayak.
Treasure Hunting
Maybe it has something to do with the national economy these days, but I see more and more people trying their luck at gold panning. There are lots of places to do it (make sure you have permission) and equipment can be costly, depending on whether you desire to hit China or stick near the top rocks.
While I have always preferred staying at places that offer nothing more than beauty, hiking, swimming, and other non-technical enjoyment, many campgrounds are offering much more these days.
Two friends spent the entire winter at an RV resort this year. It wasn’t their intention to settle in for several months and it was more expensive than they anticipated, but because the resort had swimming pools and tennis courts and active groups to bike and hike with, it suddenly became reasonable on a whole new level. While he chased more athletic endeavors, she found classes like fused glass jewelry.
 At North Ranch where I live, we have a very active woodcarving group, and they have a weeklong workshop, with woodcarvers from all over gathering to learn and to meet new people. Now the beaders have attached a workshop to the woodcarving to keep the spouses happy, although they discovered that many women enjoy wielding the knife as well.
Many campgrounds like ours have quilting, weaving and sewing classes. A book club, writer’s group, bridge players, water and oil painting classes, a computer-commiserating group and photography buffs meet every week.
We also have a group that meets weekly to make plans for an ATV ride into the mountains for a sunset cookout or to a restaurant for breakfast. They plan hikes that are geared for everyone from the hardiest hiker to the less robust. Sometimes they go for a mine tour or plan a golf game where even newcomers can have fun.
The hardier RVers are often the ones playing pickleball at the break of day or line dancing. We have a gathering every Thursday afternoon for anyone who wants to play an instrument, sing along or just listen.
Endless Variety
 Some activities such as sleighing, skiing or river tubing depend on the weather, but what fun people have! Some of things I have enjoyed were on visits to places I just happened to be passing, such as a working farm that raised pigs, sunflowers, fruits and vegetables. I’ve climbed sand dunes, visited lighthouses, dreamed along a beach, explored caves, and strolled through festivals and fairs. You can find these activities listed in RV Life every month or you might stop at a visitor center and see what’s going on “in your neck of the woods,” as Today’s Al Roker puts it.
Many RVers keep busy with volunteering, combining it with travel and other activities. One couple I know joined Habitat for Humanity and helped build houses. They said they acquired new skills and it was fun, satisfying, and a means of “giving back.”
And have you ever thought about working on a dude ranch? I sent for information on all the western dude ranches and chose one where I thought I’d like to spend six months and sent them a letter. I lived and worked in a historical situation in an amazing part of the country, having the time of my life as a “cowgirl” (sort of). Who hasn’t dreamed of that?
I once backed into a summer hosting job due to someone’s illness. I casually mentioned to the forest ranger, “This is magnificent; I wish I could stay longer.” A mop, bucket and sponge magically appeared in my hand. It was hard work and sometimes frustrating, but on the other hand I was doing something worthwhile, and I parked for the summer in a free RV spot in one of our country’s most scenic places.
 I’ve saved some of my Bucket List wishes for “The Next Time Around,” or just maybe I’ll still do them. I missed the Mackenzie Route to Yellowknife, a llama trek into the Peseyten Wilderness, and a Grand Canyon rafting trip down the Colorado River. Parasailing behind a boat and soaring along at bush-top level in a crop-dusting plane both escaped me. The ultimate buzz would be tandem skydiving. And all God’s children asked, “And why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane?”
The possibilities are endless. I’ll end with this note. It makes a lot of sense and I read it in a book somewhere…one of mine, I just don’t remember which one! Full-time RVers are a privileged bunch who should wake up every day with enormous grins on their faces. What a great way to live. I guess it boils down to enjoying life to the fullest each day wherever you are and whatever you do. God Bless.
Autographed copies of 2009 fourth edition RVing Alaska and Canada ($19.95) and Adventures with the Silver Gypsy ($14.95) are available through Sharlene Minshall, Box 1040, Congress, AZ 95332-1040, or at Amazon.com. Follow Sharlene Minshall’s blog, “The Silver Gypsy,” at rvlife.com
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