I’m known for saying that I don’t like camping because dirt is involved. I’ve always loved being in the outdoors, especially if hiking is involved, but I’ve never enjoyed sleeping in the outdoors. I also frequently say that I’d happily go camping if it involved air conditioning, private hot showers and was a hotel room. Joke’s on me as it turns out that kind of camping actually exists.
This past weekend I was invited to the Entertainment New Media Network Conference. Day One – the KOA (Kampgrounds of America) Ventura Ranch in Santa Paula. Yup, do you see the word “campground” kind of hidden in there?
We got a tour, and I saw the inside of a very appealing teepee. Okay, it had beds and was cute, and even had privacy. But it was about 100 degrees that day and the teepee was hot. In short – camping. I was inside long enough to take a few pictures and admire it from a “that’s great for people who like camping” detached perspective. Really, I was just being polite and marking time till we got to do ziplining. That’s some Active Aging right there, eh? My videos show that I thought the ziplining was a highlight. You know, ‘cause I was up real high. Oh, the videos are sideways due to a change in the app I used to record. But you get a better feeling of the adventure with it sideways anyway.
After the small teepee, we saw a bigger, cuter teepee. Still camping. Just with more people. Bye bye. But then I heard the magic words: “Come on up to the deluxe cabins, which have air conditioning.” Yes, besides “please,” there are other magic words, especially when we’re on Day 9,017 of a heat wave. Who would have thought that “deluxe” and “camping” would ever join together in peace and harmony (code for hot showers and A/C).
When I was a kid, my parents would load up our family of 7 into the VW camper van and we’d go places, pitching a tent each night. Well, my dad pitched the tent. We probably ate S’mores and listened to him cursing the tent stakes. When my boys were small, I would join in the family camping adventures because I wanted to be a good mom. Jury’s still out whether I achieved that status, but the boys are now grown up and have happy camping memories. They also now go camping with their dad, leaving me at home. They know I’d give them “the look” if they invited me along.
But now I have a solution that’s perfect. The boys and I can all now go together. We’ll sit in the car and take turns driving. We can even hitch up the tiny (emphasis on TINY) Eriba camper trailer. And we’ll only stay at KOA Kampgrounds that have Deluxe Cabins… with linens. That’s their official designation – Deluxe Cabins with LInens. I’ll fall asleep caressing those linens after a hot shower and some time spent watching rescued dog videos on Facebook, compliments of the free wifi. I’ll wake up and cook breakfast in an actual kitchen. Then I’ll go for a short walk over to the site where the boys have parked the Eriba, wake them up and invite them over to my cabin for breakfast. But only if they wipe the dirt off their feet.
I might even let them use my shower. But only if they promise to go ziplining with me after we swim in the pool. And jump on the giant pillow. And if they’re not too tired from rubbing two sterno cans together to make a fire, I might even let them beat me to the top of the climbing wall. Right after we go for a hike.
Yup, I like the math. Time with my boys + deluxe cabin – dirt and heat + hot shower – paying high hotel prices + fun activities and hiking – sharing a bathroom with strangers = Perfect Camping. And it was all less than an hour from my home, in gorgeous Ventura Country. Sign me up.
by Alexandra Williams, MA
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