The New Normal In Camping

After 12-Years of Living The RV Lifestyle I have expierienced  The New Normal In Camping—>Dealing with and interacting with other RV'er that are heavily into politics.

Preface: I am not a SUPER POLITICAL person even though I near a SUPER POLITICAL CITY. I dont engage people on their political or religious beliefs…my chats around the camp fire tend to be around food, alcohol, food, other places to go and ohh yeah food. You believe what you want to believe and we both will come away with a good recipe and a good story.

This past weekend we stayed at one of our favorite RV Parks and a few of our neighbors PROUDLY displayed their TRUMP-2020 flags. Our closest neighbor made it is mission to BLAST obnoxious country music (BTW I LOVE country music..however I am not sure which part of the country this music came from)  and somehow the was able to find pro TRUMP ads. Throughout the weekend people would walk by his site and laugh, some would look in horror and point and a few would engage him in conversations. Over the weekend he attempted to engage me or my wife and would start off with a political conversation, we just respectfully declined and went about our business.

Over the weekend I had many thoughts about what I should do.

1-Engage him in a fact based debate about the statement on his flag? 

2-Complain to the campground owners about the flags and/or the music.

3-Sit inside of my motor home and ignore the site of the flag and the sounds of his music.

4-Don't let certain outside influences ruin my good time.

Years ago my presence in an RV Park/Campground would be met with the same level of disgust as I have for this flag and its message. Instead of engaging with him I realized that this is the new normal. In a divisive political society where there is no more respect for an opposing view point and you are either right or stupid we all have to get used to dealing with, in our own way, the in your face political messaging!

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Facts

1- He paid for his little slice of heaven just like I did

2-He is not harming anyone and who knows his type of music might be therapeutic to his ears.

3-He is no better or worse than I am…just different

4-I wasted maybe an hour or two of my vacation that I NEVER get back thinking about his flag and the music

Trip Report May 2020 (KOA OBX)

Location-KOA OuterBanks

The planning for this trip was a little bit stressful due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus. We made reservations in January of 2020. Once Dare County closed businesses that were not essential the social media manager did a great job of keeping their Facebook Page updated with any re-opening updates. In Early May it was announced that Dare County/Hatteras Seashore would be open to non-residents on May 22nd. 10-minutes after the news became public I received a call from the KOA Outer-banks explaining the situation and adjusting my reservation. As the opening dates changed the KOA Outer-banks did a great job of keeping me informed.

This by far is one of our favorite RV Parks. During our 1st trip 12 years ago we spent a few nights at the KOA Outer Banks and we have been coming back every year or two.

The Top 5 Reasons Why We LOVE The KOA Outer Banks

1-All members of the staff are helpful and friendly

2-This KOA  has plenty for everyone to do or not to do…if you want

3-All sites are wide and deep enough. We prefer site-217

4-The facilities are always clean and well maintained

5-All members of the staff are helpful and friendly

Typically I make time to take pictures of the places that we stay…fortunately I spent my time relaxing and recharging my batteries.

A few changes (I am not sure is this was due to the COVID-19 virus, if they were I hope that they keep them)

1-Text Messages-Throughout my stay I received multiple text messages about different events going on around the campground. I found this to be a better way to communicate that the piece of paper that they give you at check in

2-Rolling Cart with wood and ice available. You never you need something until you need it. Having the cart rolling around with wood and ice was awesome! We were able to keep our campfire going a LOT longer than planned which led to lots of family memories.

If you have the ability I would defiantly check out the KOA Outer Banks