These travel lovers have owned an assortment of tents and RVs.
By Kathleen Johnson, F411457
September 2017
Our Story
My husband, Gary, and I both started camping when we were young. I remember waking up on a deflated air mattress with water around me. My mother, sisters, and I gathered our soggy belongings and scrambled into our uncle’s house for the night. I grew a dislike for tenting after this. Gary spent time tent camping with his father during hunting season.
We graduated from the same high school and went our separate ways, only to reunite 20 years later. Our first camping trip together, ironically, was in a two-person tent that we set up behind my stepfather and mother’s motorhome in southern New York at Chenango Valley State Park. We later bought a larger tent, which I grew tired of setting up and tearing down. To this day, I love telling people about the weekend we tent camped in a desolate area within New York’s Moose River Plains Wild Forest. We heard what sounded like tree branches breaking in the woods, followed by scratching and movement against the back of the tent. Gary grabbed the flashlight, ran outside, then yelled, “You have to see this!” Bullfrogs were jumping against the back of the tent. We must have been in their way!
Moving On From Tents
From tents, we graduated to pop-up campers. Our first was a $400 fixer-upper, which leaked no matter how much we tried to fix it. I disliked having to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and I hated folding up in the rain.
In 1996, we bought a travel trailer. Gary proposed on Fourth of July weekend while we were camping in the Adirondacks. We married under the RV’s decorated awning, with family and friends in our backyard, and honeymooned at Chenango Valley State Park.
We camped frequently in this trailer until 2003, when a bear broke into and out of a window. Afterward, the curtain lay on the ground outside; inside were scratches and bear fur, a crushed can of tomato soup, and a lantern with two holes bitten into it. I learned never to keep any food in the trailer.
We had the trailer repaired and traded it in for a 30-foot Type C Dutchmen motorhome. I loved the floor plan, but the back bumper kept getting hung up, even on small uphill grades. Once, our bumper dug in badly in a Cracker Barrel restaurant parking lot, and we could not move forward. Folks came to our rescue; some moved cars and others helped direct. From then on, we assessed every entrance and exit to gas stations, restaurants, and stores before attempting them.
Joining FMCA
In September 2009, after attending “America’s Largest RV Show” in Hershey, Pennsylvania, we traded for our first Type A motorhome, a gas-powered 32-foot Tiffin. We joined FMCA and, for a short time, the Mohawk Roamers chapter. We made friends as we listened and learned from those with experience. However, work commitments prevented us from attending campouts.
We joined the Niagara Frontier Allegros owners club in 2011. We made more friends and envied those who were retired and could travel whenever they desired.
I wanted a dog (we already camped with two cats), but I was told we would have to buy a larger motorhome. Well, okay. In 2012, back to the Hershey show we went, where we ordered a Tiffin Alllegro 34 TGA. I became the proud parent of Hollie, a Bernese mountain dog puppy. She is now 5 years old, weighs 110 pounds, and loves to camp. She expects others to stop and pay attention to her, and not many pass by without doing just that!
The Hershey RV show became a yearly ritual, during which we would seek out the diesel-pusher Type As. Many in the Allegro club had diesels. We would weigh the pros and cons of owning one, with the largest con being the cost. However, I wanted a worry-free motorhome for travel and towing that could keep up with our friends’ coaches on mountain roads.
Finally Got Our Dream
Eventually, we gave in. In September 2015, after attending another Hershey RV show, we ordered our dream: a Tiffin Allegro Red 38 QRA.
I cannot wait to retire and travel the United States with Gary; our dog, Hollie; and our cat, Nigel. (Sadly, Prissy, our camping kitty of 16 years, is no longer with us, and we still miss her.) As my parents did, I have a huge bucket list of places to visit, family across the country to see, and friends to make along the way. They lived on a sailboat and traveled the ocean for two years before stepping back on land, buying a motorhome, and exploring the country. I always envied them.
Today we own a travel trailer and a motorhome. Gary and I still camp in the Adirondacks on the Oswegatchie River, now in our third travel trailer; our second one was broken into twice by bears, leaving it unrepairable. (Nope; no food was left inside.) Our campsite is desolate and eerily quiet most of the time. We have no power or phones. We have chased a bear out of our campsite and have heard coyotes howl at night; however, it provides serenity when we are not traveling in our motorhome.
Friendships
As an FMCA member, I look forward to reading the monthly magazine, with its information, tips, and travel pieces. However, to me, the biggest benefit is the friendship we have with those who enjoy the RV lifestyle as we do. Retirement is approaching soon, and I look forward to attending an FMCA international convention or area rally.
Last year we drove the coach to Gaffney, South Carolina, for our first Freightliner chassis servicing and two days of classes — a heck of a way to spend a vacation, but worth the trip. In October, we’ll return to Gaffney for our second-year service. When the motorhome is winterized, spring never arrives soon enough. We get the snowbird bug, especially when we see all the motorhomes heading south. Retirement and travel may be sooner than later!