By Rich Creason

Two hundred years ago, our ancestors loaded up their wagons and headed out for parts unknown. (Well, I don't think my ancestors did, because after tracing my family tree, I found they were all from this area.)

While traveling, a family passed new and unusual sights and visited unique and exciting places. At night, they sat around the campfire roasting buffalo or cooking deer stew or maybe freshly caught trout. Then, they broke out the marshmallows and chocolate bars and made s'mores. (I think I saw that last part in a commercial.) I am trying to carry on that pioneer tradition.

Granted, my wagon is a modern recreational vehicle, and it has many more horses pulling it. The road is usually, but not always, in better condition than two centuries ago, and there are still robbers lurking along the way, charging outrageous prices for the fuel required to run my horses.

Our food is sometimes similar to that eaten by those early travelers. I often buy buffalo meat from farms or meat processors for our evening meal, and one or two cast-iron Dutch ovens hang over the fire with deer (or beef) stew bubbling inside. Cherry cobbler or fresh bread bakes in another oven over hot coals. As in olden days, the warmth of our fire and the smell of the food attract wild savages — from nearby campsites.

Before embarking on their journey, 19th century campers carefully checked their equipment. Wagons were thoroughly inspected, spokes and hubs on the wheels tightened and greased. Horses were well fed and healthy and wore proper-fitting shoes. Harnesses were oiled and repaired if needed.

I do a similar checkup before starting on our trip. Oils, batteries, hoses and belts are carefully inspected. Tires are checked for improper wear and proper inflation. Then, the inside of my 31-foot “covered wagon” is inspected. After filling the water tank, I make sure the propane level is adequate and light all burners on the stove and hot water heater. Then, I fire up the furnace and refrigerator. I start the generator and service it, if needed. The air conditioner, microwave and, most important, both televisions are turned on to ensure they are working properly. Our wagon is ready.

When the pioneer family climbed into their primitive camper, they already had laid plans where they were going and the best way to get there with the knowledge available at that time.

We plan ahead for our trip, too. How far do we want to travel? (Often this is decided by how much time or gas money is available.) Will weather be a consideration? (north in summer, south in winter) Are we going to return to a previously visited spot or travel to parts unknown? Do we want to fish or canoe or hike or sightsee at our destination? When we have the answers to these and other questions, we go to our trusty Trailer Life Campground Directory . (This volume is also found at RV dealers or at local libraries.) We then start marking those listings that meet all our requirements.

Next, we contact busi-nesses. Smoke signals don't work well in smog areas or at night. The Pony Express, while probably faster than certain current postal systems, is no longer available. E-mail is certainly modern, but still usually takes a day or two to get a response. So, I pick up the cell phone — with its unlimited nights and weekends package. I call the first campground on the list, and work on down the list until I find a campground with a beach that permits the use of metal detectors.
Many things change with time. A simple bedroll on the ground, tepees, covered wagons, tents, truck campers, motor homes, and travel trailers have all been used in the past, and are still being used, depending on personal preference. I guess some things will never change.

The author may be reached at eyewrite4u@aol.com.