Happy RV life in the U.S

I traveled to the Antelope canyon and the Monument Valley by RV(recreational vehicle) for my summer vacation.

It was to be my very first trip by RV and I was really excited about it.

Yes, it was tremendously comfortable and fun.

My RV has a lot of functions for household stuff such as refrigerator, microwave,

bathroom, and bedrooms. In addition, I was surprised not only about the functions of RV but also RV park situation in the U.S.

As you know, there are over ten thousands RV parks in the huge country of U.S. We can use them with cheaper price compared to Japan. It's an average of 25$ per night.

No other country besides the U.S have such a perfect infrastructure for RV.

According to the research conducted by Michigan University, one of twelve households own their RV. There are approximately 7.5 million of RVs in the U.S. and it's expected that it will became over 8 millions in 2011.

So, RV market is really huge in the U.S.

Meanwhile, I heard interesting story from one aged couple whom I met at RV park in Zion. They said that it's really common that retired aged couples buy a huge RV and travel around the whole U.S. As you know, they have a lot of money and time so, their travel is basically slow and long.

According to the research conducted by Auto camper magazine, the average age of RV owners is sixty one years old and their average income is approximately sixty five thousand dollars per year. They have 2 cars and one track and they stayed over eighteen days per year in average.

Why did such kind of RV culture firmly established in the U.S?

The history dates back until the western reclamation era.

At that time, people used the covered wagon to move with their tons of stuff.

It was called "Conestoga wagon"

According to the Wikipedia, The Conestoga wagon was used extensively during the late 18th century in the U.S and sometimes in Canada as well.

Looking at carefully, it looks different, but the concept is almost same.

Yes, the RV is modern version of the Conestoga wagon.

After 19th century, automobile developed widely and covered wagon was discontinued.

Meanwhile, Japan doesn't have big land to travel over one month without meeting people. So, covered wagon culture connected to RV didn't develop.

However, the posting station(宿場)industry was developed instead of the covered wagon culture.

In addition, Japanese people prefer living with nature to protecting from it.

So, we Japanese like a tent style camping compared to RV style.

I am also the outdoor camping style guy.

However, once people experience these kind of RV's comfortable life style,

it's difficult to back to get the tent style camping.

I will enjoy tent style camp for a while and then after I retire,

I will live a leisurely life with a big RV.