[VAC] Re: OVERSEAS Caravans

[Toby Folwick <toby_folwick@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think that you're both a little wrong, and a little
right.

Caravans - i.e. the old Wally Byam ones to Europe or
whatever, were originally Airstream supported.  Thus,
the Airstream Mechanics.  Ain't no way Wally Byam is
going to Africa, for instance, just to break down and
get left behind. 

BUT regardless, you have the freedom to do whatever
you want, and if you get stuck, you are responsible
for yourself.  

Why go in a caravan?  To trade stories when the day is
over.  In the National Geographic Article from June of
1957 the writer tells of a Caravanner that forgot to
hook up their trailer when they left the previous
nights campsite (in France).  That person had to
return to get their own trailer.  nobody followed them
or held their hand.  Caravanning, in the traditional
sense, is about freedom, and family.  Everyone does
what they want, regardless of the amount they spent on
the joining fees, but the caravan provides a certain
place to stay, and the comfort of knowing that you, if
you are prepared for the worst, will see the same
small group of people throughout the journey.

It ain't supposed to be easy, you're dragging your
home around.  When sitting in your house, and your
furnace breaks, do you hold the neighbor accountable? 
no, you fix it, or get it fixed, and then call the
neighbor to tell the horrible tale.  If that's not the
way it works for you, then I suggest that maybe you
aren't meant to be a caravanner.  Embrace the
adventure with all the joy and pain, period.  That's
the journey you chose.

so, um, there.

Toby