| One of the few positive results of a recession is | | | | thoughts of the ideal vacation mean getting away |
| that people generally become more creative | | | | from making the beds, preparing meals and |
| about how they spend their time and money. This | | | | cleaning up after the family, this might not be for |
| is probably most true when it comes to the | | | | you. And you'll need to make lots of small |
| family camping vacation. This year, as we begin | | | | decisions along the way. If uninterrupted relaxation |
| to see rays of hope that the recession is, pardon | | | | is what you want on this vacation and you would |
| the pun, receding, many of us are still reluctant to | | | | like for someone else to take care of nearly |
| splurge on an extravagant trip. More of us are | | | | everything for you, an RV definitely isn't the right |
| opting to hit the road instead of flying the friendly | | | | choice for you. |
| skies, and there are multiple ways to do that. | | | | But the trade-offs can include new discoveries - |
| Do thoughts of hitting the roads in a recreational | | | | of each other and the world in which we live - |
| vehicle cause flashbacks from Robin Williams' 2006 | | | | that can far outweigh the nuisance of doing daily |
| movie, RV? Relax! And consider joining the | | | | chores. America's national parks are incredibly |
| thousands of other families who have found that | | | | beautiful and very affordable, offering a multitude |
| vacationing family-style in an RV can be fun and | | | | of recreational options for every age and skill |
| relaxing, as well as economical. An RV vacation is | | | | level. Swimming, mountain biking, river rafting, |
| more affordable than our typical American-style | | | | rock climbing, and hiking are all great options for |
| trip to the popular megaparks. | | | | family recreation, and they're just a little more |
| Consider this: An international travel and tourism | | | | enjoyable when you have a comfortable home to |
| research firm, found in its most recent (in 2008 | | | | come back to, to cool down (or warm up) and |
| when fuel prices were at a cyclic high) that typical | | | | enjoy a snack or a nap. |
| family RV vacations on average to be 27 percent | | | | If you're new to the RVing concept, be sure to |
| to 61 percent less expensive on a per day basis | | | | do your homework before committing yourself |
| than other types of vacations. Among the RV | | | | and your family to this new adventure. There are |
| vacations, even those taken in an ultra-luxury | | | | a number of website and online articles that |
| Type A diesel motorhome were less expensive | | | | discuss the pros and cons of the RV vacation. Be |
| than flying and staying in a hotel. For a family of | | | | sure to read several that talk about both sides of |
| four taking a 7-day vacation from Chicago to | | | | the equation to help determine whether RVing is |
| Branson, for example, the costs range from | | | | for you. There are also a number of good |
| $1,700 for those traveling by SUV plus a travel | | | | campground directories available online that can |
| trailer, staying at campgrounds, and preparing their | | | | help in planning your trip. Most importantly, talk |
| own meals, to $3,500 for those traveling in a | | | | with your family about how different - and fun! - |
| luxury motorhome, staying at RV resorts, | | | | and RV vacation might be, offering the |
| preparing most of their own meals. This | | | | opportunity to see new places, do new things and |
| compares to more than $4,000 for the same | | | | spend some quality time together. If everyone is |
| family vacation if they choose to travel by plane, | | | | up for the challenge, make your plans and hit the |
| rent a car, stay in a hotel and dine in restaurants. | | | | road! |
| Admittedly, RVing isn't for everyone. If your | | | | |