Published Sunday, July 28, 2002
MERCER COUNTY AREA
near, far
are easier
in an RV
Herald Staff Writer
Gathered around an old picnic table under the shade of their recreational vehicle's awning, Kathe and Dick Francis of Wampum, Pa., tried to stay cool last week while playing cards with two friends at Pymatuning State Park's Jamestown Campground.
"We usually camp within a few hours of home," said Kathe. "We have been doing this (camping) for over thirty years," she added.
The couple is an example of the 6.9 million people in the United States who own an RV and take their vacations "on the road."
"It is a nice getaway, really," said Mrs. Francis. "That is the main reason we do it," she said. Anecdotal evidence indicates trailer, RV, and tent camping is a growing vacation phenomenon since Sept. 11.
With fewer people willing to fly and more people wanting to stay close to home, taking the RV out for a week or two may be the best of both worlds.
Recent growth of trailer and RV sales locally may also be attributed in part to travel anxiety after the terrorist attacks.
"The business has grown here year by year, but I have noticed people this summer are choosing it (RV'ing) often over flying," said Todd Wilson, owner of Wilson Camper and Tire Sales in New Wilmington.
Sept. 11 may also have contributed to an increased sense of patriotism for many citizens, even in their vacation choices.
"Instead of flying or traveling overseas, a lot of people are choosing to stay local and spend money in the U.S., and RV'ing is a great way to do that," said Wilson.
Mel Martz of Clem's Trailer Sales in Ellwood City said people who buy RVs are split between those who want to enjoy local recreation spots and those headed out on big trips.
"It is almost a 60-40 split though, with us," said Martz. "I'd say 60 percent stay local (in the sales area) and 40 travel cross-country with their purchase," he said.
The growth of RV'ing has also been noted to be a popular choice of Baby Boomers, the oldest of whom are now entering their golden years.
"Camping is a great activity for all age groups," said Wilson. However, Martz said sales for their company mostly go to a mid-fifties and sixties age group.
"They (the baby boomers) are definitely our majority of sales," said Martz. "Especially with our RV's and campers," he said. Martz said younger families tend to purchase the pop-up campers.
The Francises bought their RV five years ago.
"It was used then, and it is an old ride," they said of their tan and white RV. "But it gets us around and we like it."
Many RV owners are former tent campers, but have found a new comfort and convenience in the RV and trailer world.
"We used to pile a tent, seven kids, and all of our stuff into a station wagon," Mrs. Francis said. "But this is a lot better than that," she said.
Bobbi Hardisky of Ellwood City agrees.
"We have had our trailer since 1997 and we used to tent before," Bobbi said of her family, which includes her husband and 6- and 8-year-old children.
The Hardisky family bought their trailer for $12,000 and have been camping as much as they can ever since.
How much one spends on an RV depends on what one is looking for. Pop-up trailers can cost a few thousand dollars and rigs complete with big screen televisions, air conditioning, and car pull-in garages underneath that can top six figures.
"It all depends on how luxurious you want to go," Mrs. Hardisky said. "We tend to cook out on the campfire mostly and cut out many luxuries of home," she said.
The Francises also prefer cook on the fire, though they pack along some things they felt were still needed.
"A site for RV hook-up includes electricity so we bring our toaster and an electric skillet," said Dick Francis. "We used to have a microwave, but we really didn't use it much, so we took it out," he said.
While RVs and campers allow travelers to enjoy the luxuries of home away from home, Mrs. Hardisky said she's glad her family's choice is lacking something.
"Two words," she said. "No phone!"