The tent is going back. After painful thoughtful introspection, we realized we’re both less tolerant of bugs, rain, heat, bears, snakes, outdoor plumbing and other unpleasant elements we used to find charming. The other reason is getting a camp site reservation in California is difficult if not impossible.
I know it can be done, but it takes a more dedicated soul than I to plan six months ahead and set the alarm so you’re up the second the sites go live. And then do that for weeks until you land a spot.
Since I didn’t start six months ago and don’t hop out of bed like I used to, I spent the last several days shuffling through the leftovers. The interface is frustrating, and I came up empty-handed. I even tried the far-flung places you’d think no one would visit, the ones where the mosquitos have names like El Hefe, and they’re booked solid for the foreseeable future.
This little exercise pushed us closer to finding our retirement travel mojo … which is surprisingly difficult for some of us. Dale and I have decided we mostly want to focus on seeing the natural beauty of California and other not-too-distant places, but we’re not going to rough it anymore. Sometimes a simple motel in a nearby town and sometimes a resort. Maybe even privately run glamping sites, where you stay in an Air Stream or something like that.
We’ll be spending more money, for sure, but I think we should be able to keep the costs reasonable. I guess reasonable is a sliding scale. What seems reasonable to me now was shockingly outrageous only a few years ago. But the truth is, like many retirees, we are not spending down our savings. It’s a good problem to have, and we’re ready to kick it up a notch.
I’ve planned a few trips, including Yosemite and Death Valley (yes, in the summer). All from the comforts of a resort. With a bed. A pool. Air conditioning. Restaurants. It was shockingly easy to make a reservation once you decide to throw money at it.
In other news, we had our second Shingles vaccine, and it kicked our butts. We’re both better now, but it was a rough night. I had the chills, and we were both quite achy and miserable. But at least we checked that one off the list.
It used to be so easy to camp. Just show up and there was a space to be had. California, my home state, has become so crowded, and it seems as though everyone wants to experience the great outdoors now.
My husband, avid hiker of the wilderness, definitely will NOT camp. He wants his own bathroom and shower. In a room. Inside. I camped a lot through my 40s (before meeting him) and loved it. But perhaps wouldn’t as much in my early 70s now. I did NOT enjoy the long road trip we took last time (too much driving each day regardless of planning), so we’ve decided that our next foray out will be to book a week at an air bnb in an area that has a lot of the nature and other areas of interest, maybe spring for a beach house, and use that as a base to explore. I’ve also had increasing mobility issues which have put a damper on things but after discovering that I have no ability to rotate my left hip which is popping and cracking now, made an appointment to see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip replacement. All this left leg pain that I thought came from my wonky back, may be a hip thing that can be fixed. I remember long ago, my physical therapist telling me that the good news was that my right hip was great; the bad news was that the left hip, not so good. I didn’t make anything of it at the time as I didn’t have any problems with my hips. I never thought I would be thinking “I hope I need a hip replacement.” But now I’m hoping that that is the answer to getting mobility without pain back and that I can mothball all the cool mobility aids I’ve acquired.
We also are not spending down our retirement. We seem to live below our means despite spending on our hobbies and funding college educations for three grandkids. I really do feel like we need to enjoy what some of that money that we saved for so long, can give us. Maybe our needs and wants are too simple for our bank account. Either that or we haven’t learned how to treat ourselves in the manner we deserve. Probably more of the former. Nice to know however, that we have a cushion for the best of the best care should we need it when we get really old.
When my back was really jacked up, I read something about hip problems and back problems getting mistaken for each other. As I recall, the articles said back surgery rarely cures back pain, but if the real problem is your hip, you’re in luck, because surgery usually fixes it. So, a toast to hip replacement?
In any event, it sounds like you are finding your travel mojo. I like the idea of renting a place near the beach and exploring from there. Dale has a thing against airbnb, but I think I can convince him.
I didn’t think we were the only ones who have a hard time spending, but we are getting better at it.
I have been so trained to think that any pain in my legs is a result of my back, I feel rather stupid that it didn’t occur to me that it could be my hip, especially as it got worse and worse. When I first looked up hip cracking and popping I got a thing about runners hip which made me laugh as I for sure wasn’t running. It said it was a result of the muscle in front of the hip getting too tight. So I was trying exercises to no result. And yes, I had been told by a neurosurgeon that the only recourse for my back issues was a spinal fusion with only a 33% chance of making it better with the same odds of making no difference or making it worse and to avoid it if at all possible. I agreed with him. I was doing okay with my back, doing my exercises etc., until I started getting the leg pain. I too hope that it’s a solvable solution after all!
We’ve not tried an Air BnB yet but that or a VRNB? Another B&B type vacation rental. A nice hotel or resort though, especially one on the beach would likely be just as good.
My husband just attached about 20 patches to his falling apart summer hiking pack because “a new one costs almost twice as much as this one that I bought 8 years ago.” I don’t have a lot of hope of training him out of his frugal ways. He’s gotten a little bit better and doesn’t care what I spend on my hobbies. He didn’t blink an eye paying $40K cash to have our backyard and front courtyard turned into places that are a pleasure to be in. We’re outdoors people for sure. I guess he has his priorities and I don’t have be seen with him sporting his hobo backpack so…
I had a too-close encounter with a bear right outside my tent the last time I camped (my neighbours left their food out)…I will still camp, but will be sleeping in my car from now on! I recently bought an SUV-type vehicle just so I can do that. I think your revised plan is a great one. It’s really hard to get campsites on Vancouver Island too.
Almost all vaccines bring on flu-like symptoms in me for the 1st 24 hours and the shingles one was one of the worst. Just had Covid booster #5 last week and took extra strength Tylenol right before the shot and every 6 hrs for the next 24 – it worked great! No fever, muscle soreness or chills.
Deb
A too-close encounter with a bear is one too many encounters for me. Especially, when you do all the right things, but the dumbasses next to you leave their food out.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Shingles vaccine. I also get flu-like symptoms from most shots, so it’s good to know this is isn’t unusual.
Reasonable is definitely a sliding scale that I need to accept. I also find my pickiness level has increased exponentially. 😉
Prices are sort of shocking, and it’s all the worse when you have high expectations! I don’t mind paying if it feels worth it, but most of the time it doesn’t.
I could happily put a mattress in the back of my suv as well and car camp someplace they had showers. But sleep on the ground is no more. I decided on mid range hotels Long ago with the occasional splurge. Thats hotels not motels. I can see me with an RV either. The first shingles put me town for two days, I’ve been avoiding the second.
We have a nice air mattress, but still … we just don’t have the desire to rough it anymore.
This is interesting about the shingles vaccine. I thought it would be a piece of cake.
I am an expert at snagging California State Park campsites via all kinds of tricky maneuverings, and even I’m worn out by the new reservation website. And yes, if you are willing to throw money at the problem and simply book at a private park, reservations are very easily had. But how many folk can afford $1,000 for a week of RVing or camping, such as we just did in Malibu? Yes, compared to a comparable hotel, $1,000 for a week in Malibu, with ocean views, is an absolute bargain, but still, it’s a $1,000 . . . . to RV/camp! 😳
The second shingles shot knocked me out as well, which I hadn’t realized was an ‘issue’ so it really caught me by surprise.
As always, follow the money. If I’m going to spend it, I may as well be totally comfortable. At this point, we’re not investing in an RV. So, hotels it is!
Agree on all accounts. Hubs and I are currently on the El Camino in Spain, staying in pre-arranged comfortable hotels each night instead of hostals. Leaving those for the young, while we 70 year olds are doing it our way.
Jackie! My husband and I are leaving to do the Camino in 10 days, and we’re doing it the exact same way! I have no interest in dorm style sleeping or non-private bathrooms, LOL. We’re using Walkers Britain, formerly Sherpa Expeditions.
Thanks for sharing the name of your outfitter. This sounds doable!
I love that! And thanks for visiting while you are in the middle of such an adventure.
What about buying a Transit-type camper van? Then you’d have a bed, shower, toilet, kitchen area, and table. Most of what we see in campgrounds are these Transit Vans. You could probably afford that and if you keep track of hotels/meals vs the camper it would probably pay for itself within 2 years. I’ve kept track with Rubi and based on an average of $300 a night hotel and food, we’ve covered the cost of Rubi in the 2 years. But if you’re not into the camping thing then it’s not worth it. Like Tamara said though, private Rv resorts( which I love) are easily accessible for the most part. The Rv resort in paso robles was quite nice.
It’s a long story, but we discussed camper vans a couple of years ago and nixed it. I think we’re finally comfortable moving on from camping and staying in hotels and such.
Oh my, I’ve been catching up on my blog reading and I keep it in strict order, but this time, that didn’t work in my favour. I give you a big thumbs up on your decision but, as a non-camper, that’s probably not any big surprise.
Himself and I have talked about camper vans, but camp sites in the UK aren’t anywhere as well run as those in the US, so I’m still giving that idea the side eye.
I hope you will love your holidaying in comfort. I holiday rarely, but I only truly enjoy it when comfort is present. And I’m getting worse with age…
I’d like to rent a camper van, but I haven’t seen any near us. I’m on board with the holiday of comfort.