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Introduction

It’s early morning in the motorhome. The wind is humming outside, and the waves gently reach the shore below. It’s just past six, and everything else is still and sleeping. My coffee is, as always, by my side. I suspect the entire campsite is still asleep—except for a few early birds like me, soaking in the calm of the new day.

While the Camp Sleeps

I’m sitting in our motorhome, listening to the wind outside. The waves whisper down by the lake. Coffee next to me. Everyone is still sleeping. I think the whole campsite is mostly asleep. Just a few, like me, sitting up, enjoying the peace.

Real Campers – With Tents

There are many tents on this campsite. And I think they look so cozy. They’re probably the real campers. They’ve packed, they’ve set up, they’ve organized their things. I find myself wishing I was one of them.

We’re the Glide-Campers

We, on the other hand, are glide-campers. We bring the house with us, and it takes almost no effort to get ready. It’s become a part of our daily life—something we do just because we can. And lately, we can go often.

But that doesn’t make us real campers. It takes us 15 minutes to get on the road and 15 minutes to set up. By then the mat is rolled out, the table set, and my coffee’s brewing. Cooking? Almost like at home.

The Tent That Never Left the Garden

Long before we even bought a caravan, I wanted us to get a tent. My husband, who usually supports my quirky ideas, said no. A firm no. So I bought a tent anyway—with four small rooms and a center to eat breakfast if it rained.

But we never used it for real camping. I set it up in the garden, and the kids and I pretended we were camping. My husband shook his head, saying, “The bedroom has better beds—and it’s warm.” Next sentence: “A hotel would be better.” But that wasn’t what I wanted.

Caravan, Then Motorhome

One day, I found a caravan. That story is in my book, titled “I Prefer to Call Myself Impulsive”: Buying a caravan without a tow hitch. Buying a caravan 30, maybe 40 miles away – and buying it cheap. No, it wasn’t a hit – but that’s where we discovered camping.

We had several caravans. Then my husband started talking about getting a motorhome. I resisted. But he bought one—and I was hooked. Now, sitting in our fourth motorhome, I dreamily watch those with tents.

Milk Frothers and Forgotten Chargers

I can picture myself packing the car, setting up the tent… cozy, charming, everything I long for. But—not for me.

I can’t even pack a bag for a work night without bringing half my house—and still forgetting the essentials. How would that go with tent camping?

In the motorhome, I have everything. For example: I own a milk frother I’ve used maybe four times. I also have three battery whisks for frothing milk. One broke yesterday. I still have two left—one in use and one backup. The broken one lasted two years, so no need to buy a new one just yet.

Reality Check: I’d Forget the Charger

Tent life looks lovely, it feels like real camping. And I think I’d like to be that kind of camper.
But I’d need packing skills, and a brain that remembers things.

I wouldn’t be able to sit here as I do now—feet up in the passenger seat, laptop in my lap, coffee steaming—because I’d have forgotten to charge the laptop, lost my phone charger, or packed everything in the wrong place.

So… maybe my husband was right.
But only maybe. Because… tenting really does look lovely.

Little Films, Big Love

Let me again share the link to the small educational videos for young children. They’re made by my neighbor. She works on them in the evenings after her kids have gone to bed. I’m so impressed by her films—so sweet, made with love. Yes, impressed is the word.

Reflection

There’s beauty in wanting something else—while also appreciating what you already have. The tent is a dream. The motorhome is my reality. And maybe, in that contrast, I find my own truth.

”Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow—we’ll see if we get to live it.” – Carina Ikonen Nilsson

Callout

Do you dream of tent camping too—or are you perfectly happy with the comfort of a motorhome like I am?
Leave a comment or share the post with a fellow traveler!

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