(03/00)
That was the question. We've had friends who have experienced being on the road with a group of friends, and enjoyed it greatly. But we've also detected a growing interest in caravans which are sponsored by RV related businesses which cater to the RVing public. This seems to us quite different from traveling with a group of friends; or perhaps a local chapter of one of the manufacturer-sponsored RV clubs. The difference, of course, is that the commercial caravan will bring together a group of perhaps 25-40 people who have never met each other. What would this be like?
Since we're presently living our oddyssey, "RVing the Open Agenda", we decided we'd find out first hand -- and then report back to our readers just what it was like. But even before doing that, we thought it would be timely -- and forthright -- if we'd tell just how we felt before embarking on this experience. Many of our readers would likely have some of the same feelings. And by doing so, we'd be able to portray a bona fide "before and after" set of attitudes about this type of caravan adventure.
For starters, we'd be quick to note that there are a number of commercial caravan companies out there. Our purpose is not to suggest the one we've chosen is the "only way to go". Rather our purpose is to explore both the mechanics and "social experience" of the RV caravan.
Obviously we had to start somewhere in selecting a caravan company. We'd seen presentations given at such conferences as the annual "Life on Wheels" event at the University of Idaho. These presentations showed lots of pretty pictures, and many shots of large groups of RVers apparently enjoying themselves. But that didn't quite sell us on the idea. Then, last winter, while we were visiting the Escapee Headquarters in Livingston, TX, we spotted an inobtrusive sign indicating this was the home of "Adventure Caravans". With a bit of spare time at hand, we went inside to chat with the staff.
The very first thing we found was instant recognition of RVers Online. It seems our website is something one of the key staff members had been using extensively. Then we met Carol and Gary Mathers, who manage the operation. We had a most interesting discussion about the "business" of RV caravaning. And we were impressed with their philosophy of support for the groups of RVers who opted to tour with them. We discussed with them the fact that one reason we suspect some RVers are unable to take caravan tours is because they will likely be unable to maintain a sufficient online presence to keep personal and business affairs in order while they're on the road. They seemed very receptive to this issue, and we noted in their very next brochure they had taken positive steps to ensure that to the extent humanly possible their caravans would now all push for modem friendly facilities along the way.
So when it came time to select a company, our "inside knowledge" of the Adventure Caravan group tipped the scales in their favor. And happily we found as we completed the arrangements we could do so via email when we needed to address a few administrative details. But we still have reservations about whether the "RV Caravan tour" will fit with our own personal preferences. We consider ourselves reasonably competent at being self-sufficient in finding our way around totally new areas. We've not yet felt a sense of insecurity in traveling solo. We've done it from Baja to Alaska and all points in between. How would we feel about being on what appears to be a fairly rigid and structured schedule?
Another question mark is probably more "us" than those with whom we'll be traveling. We tend to be quite independent souls. We think the people that we meet, and the friends we make along the way, are among the greatest rewards of RVing. Yet we usually have some lattitude in choosing who those people will be. In this case, the group is brought together by the happenstance of signing up for the same tour -- and nothing else. We've enjoyed an occasional potluck with friends and neighbors. But not with a group that has never met each other. It will be extremely interesting to see how the social interaction actually transpires. We've never considered ourselves "groupies", but a group we will be. Will 16 days seem closer to a week or a month?
We can see some advantage of the caravan in terms of someone else having made the arrangements for accommodations, tours, etc., since this trip is into the Mainland of Mexico. But will that convenience be outweighed by having a structured agenda? And what about cost. When all is said and done will we feel that the "conveniences" are worth the price paid?
These are some of the issues we see as we do our final preparations for our first caravan adventure. We wanted to record them now, before they are tainted with the first hand knowledge we are about to acquire. And we wanted to do it because we suspect some of the same questions and concerns we have at this moment are common to many other RVers.
We hope you'll check back soon -- and take the actual trip with us!