Is it still camping if you get 480 satellite channels, use a microwave, and sleep on a Tempur Pedic

Just got back from camping in Glacier with my wife, two daughters, and one of their friends (the vegan one - she roasted almonds in a special sweetener syrup she brought while we downed s'mores and roasted marshmallows).

Our camping has become a bit easier since our carry-in, weight conscience days hiking up the Appalachian Trail. Our three person light-weight dome tent has given way to a 8 person, 30 pound cabin tent, and sleeping directly on the ground has been replaced by sleeping bags atop air mattresses - not exactly roughing it, but still a sense of outdoor camping in the woods.

The folks next to us were quite the modern "campers, though. A 44' slide out rig with two satellite/direct TV dishes. Our dogs made friends so we started talking and he took us on a tour of their "mobile home". Two flat screen TVs, jetted-tub/shower, microwave oven, tempur-pedic beds...HUGE!

I wouldn't mind touring the country in one of those, but calling it camping is a stretch.

But it does sound comfy. It isn't camping if you don't wake up with a sore back and a stiff neck.

Once you introduce TV, of any kind, you're no longer camping. You're just outdoors.

:rofl:

RV's are the scourge of campsites. I prefer remote locations where only cars or pick-ups can go - but sometimes there is little choice, based on where you are, availability, etc. So I have to suffer their presence once in awhile.

Don't apologize for the air mattresses, however. Although I still sleep on the ground most trips, it gets harder on my aging hips. Air mattresses are not a luxury in those cases, but a necessity. But there are NO medical/aging excuses for RV's and their accompanying amenities. You might as well get a 5 star hotel and be done with it. Plus, the gas they waste - can you tell I hate RV's? lol 99.9% of the time, they are occupied by birther Repukes anyway.

Also glad to know how you resolved the campfire food dilemma with your guest.

Since you mentioned the Appalachian Trail, I expect some Sanford/Argentina jokes are forthcoming. :hide:

my parents started out with a tent 54 years ago.
I was 2 (you can do the mathe)
As they got older tents became less of a viable alternative.
When they retired and pulling a trailer around became became too much,
they bought a larger trailer which is now on a seasonal site at a campground.
My father passed some years ago, but my mom keeps the trailer and the site.
I try to get her up there for a weekend at least once a month during summer.
We call it camping.
After 54 years she has earned the right to call whatever she wants camping.

I think we will go up there this weekend and go camping

it is not

I prefer primitive camping, but I've made the same concession as far as sleeping on an air matress. I have also acquired a larger tent with the main consideration being the height so I wouldn't have to stoop while I was inside. I have always tried to pack as little as we would need instead of how much we could. A lot of the pleasure of camping, to me, was not having to keep track of as much stuff or do as much housework as I would have done if I'd stayed home. And who wants to watch tv anyway when you have the whole outdoors to watch?