When you’re in the magazine publishing business, your calendar is confusing. For example, as the March issue was assembled, we were putting final touches on the end-of-year holidays and packing a test coach for a trip to the California desert for some R&R and social time with a few other motorhome enthusiasts. I know it was December, but we were thinking March.
Granted, the calendar showed Christmas and New Year’s just ahead, but for magazine people, December was last August. I think you get the picture.
Over the years, onlookers questioned our sanity – and we unintentionally fooled a number of kids – during photo shoots. A couple of stories come to mind. During one photo shoot we parked a Class A in a gorgeous campground in Yosemite National Park. Out came the ladder and a string of lights. Our models donned heavy coats and proceeded to hang the lights on the coach. It was quite a spectacle as we created Christmas in August.
But nothing beats the time we photographed Santa rolling down the ramp of a Class C toy hauler on a motorcycle with a bag full of toys. The youngsters in the campground ran to their moms in sheer delight only to be disappointed to learn that Christmas was still months away.
Of course, my wife, Lynne, and I follow a normal calendar, but in December our minds are locked into spring, busy making travel plans for summer. After a while, calendar confusion becomes a way of life.
During our December holiday break we perused the new Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory and our maps (yes, we still like to look at paper maps) and planned our summer adventures. We had plenty of time to do so basking in the Palm Springs sun while parked at Emerald Desert RV Resort in Southern California.
While we spend most of our time in full-service campgrounds, we also like to plan a few trips to places that are more primitive. Coincidentally, in this month’s issue we’re featuring Joshua Tree National Park, which is not far from our destination in Palm Springs. This is a beautiful park with miles of hiking and exploring in a setting that’s wonderfully natural. We’ve already made plans with friends to gather in this park in late spring – according to the real calendar.
Joshua Tree, like many national parks and other public destinations, does not offer the benefits of hookups, so we have to rely on self-containment to support our daily living requirements. A key appliance is the AC generator. For most travelers who utilize hookups, the generator sees very few hours of service. But this is one machine that really needs attention, even if it’s rarely used.
We plan on hanging around the West this summer, except for a trip to Syracuse, N.Y., to attend the Good Sam/Camping World Rally June 13-16. This event is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It’s near many spectacular travel destinations (think Niagara Falls) and will be chock-full of events, entertainment, motorhomes and accessories. Never been to The Rally? It’s an experience that any RV enthusiast needs to look into.
Now, what month is this?
