RV Campervans, History and More

Just finished reading a funny entry in the journal of Barry & Monique Zander at RV.net ....the authors tell about different situations when their 28' travel trailer is not referred to as an 'RV' (probably by folks who have never set foot in an RV)...and it got me to thinking about all the different types of RVs, their history,and what they are called in other countries.

Where are the Campervans?

The ensuing internet search landed me at an England motorhome site and then on to a 'campervan' for hire site regarding the Glastonbury Festival - which apparently is famous for the music, the atmosphere, the toilet facilities (or lack of) and......the mud. Celebrating 40 years, many festival attendees may be too old for tents but too young to miss this special event, so they rent campervans and motorhomes.  Check out this picture! Not Idaho camping, for sure :)

Wikepedia describes 'campervans' quite aptly as s ometimes referred to simply as a camper, or a caravanette (I like this version...is the interior decor 'Barbie pink'?), is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation.

Then it goes on to read "In the U.S. the term RV is more common they tend to be larger than in Europe..or the rest of the world."  Go figure.

Volkswagen Autosleeper Clubman, GL

This cute model is a typical campervan that is very popular in Europe and it includes a 'hob' (kitchen stove) and grill and amenities familiar to U.S. manufactured RVs - even air conditioning - though smaller models often carry a "porta-potty" portable toilet, and sometimes an external shower which operates within the privacy of an awning. Yikes!




There's more!  Then I learned about the 'Dormobile' - a 1960's-era conversion type campervan aka 'motorcaravan', manufactured in Kent, England.  The first Dormobile motorhome, complete with a gas stove, a sink and cupboards and seats which converted into beds, appeared in 1957.

OK...we'll get into more RV history in another segment, but can't resist posting these two pics about 'pop-up' campervans...ah...the memories :)

Classic VW Camper..w/ a top

Toyota Landcruiser 4WD

 

Salmon Are Still Flying!

Yeah...this might be old news, but honestly, this is HOT! Those Chinook Salmon are still bound and determined to make it up river to give Idaho anglers a fantastic season fishing in the Salmon River. The 2010 daily count over Lower Granite Dam (the last dam and closest to our stretch of the river) is 41% of last year's total count by this date on the calendar.  Check out the graph too for a spectacular visual of the fish count.  

Got your fishing license yet? Got your camping space reserved?  Idaho fishing, and Idaho camping are the BEST (and you know the best little RV Park to pitch your tent or hook up your trailer for a river-side view of the awesome Salmon River!)

(source: Idaho Fish and Game)

Salmon: 3198% Increase Over Last Year !

Yep...just have to keep the news flowing about the incredible 2010 Salmon Fishing season on the Salmon River, in north central Idaho.  Here at Swiftwater RV Park, the fishermen are beginning to dot the banks of the river, enjoying the wonderful Idaho fishing, along with Idaho vacations, and Idaho camping. Yeah!  Take a look at these counts over Lower Granite Dam, as provided by the Idaho Department of Fish and  Game (In my math book, this is a whopping 3198% increase!) :