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Well I got my truck camper and went on several trips since then. I'm by myself since the kids have out grown it and well I'm bored!!!!! I go to a spot, hike around for about it an hour ( bad back and knees... yes I know the question already..) and sit the rest of the day. Its great for the first day but after that what do you do??? I walk around and that's about it. The spots I go to are secluded and no people or things to see. I mostly go out camping to get away but find myself really bored. Any ideas are very helpful..I love to hike but when I'm alone I do not want to risk any missavengers that might have me waking up dead!! . Any thoughts...
Several thoughts. First the obvious one. Truck campers or really RVs of any persuasion may not be your thing. It’s not for everyone. Nothing wrong with that.
second thought is maybe your approach is wrong. You will never find my wife and I in the middle of nowhere looking at what we regard as mostly desolate landscape. We like to see things and do things. We tow a Jeep so we can get into town or explore, but we are not hesitant to use a KOA if it makes seeing something easier. It’s okay to do it in a way that fits you.
Finally, although it is not us, some owners seek out groups or clubs devoted to truck campers. Maybe the doing it alone is what is getting to you.
We believe the purpose of the truck camper is to bring you closer to the things you like to do. Whether it be city life, beach, mountains or whatever. Something must interest you. For us it is finding new fishing and hiking spots. We have our 'go to' places but mostly we find interesting things about the states around us (Idaho, Wyoming and Montana) and just go. Haven't thought about towing the Jeep until it was mentioned but now that is a possibility since we have the truck/camper combo to do it safely. Don't get me wrong we do like a good dinner now and then which is an hour drive for us but lately have thought about going to a big city (Salt Lake or Boise) and the truck camper allows us to bring our pup. Find passion for something and if the truck camper can help use it.
Not really making suggestions, but here is how I spend my time on solo outings:
Practicing/Playing Guitar
Watching Movies
Watching Sports (when I have internet or antenna signal that allows for it)
Hiking (and Biking) in small amounts to break up all that movie and sports watching
Reading
I feel no shame in giving my TV a good workout while camping, since I also do a lot of the things you are "supposed to do" while camping.
Also, younger me would have found a way to work on model cars or airplanes while camping, though I have not pursued that hobby in years.
Most of my truck camper outings are alone or with the dog. At first, I really thought that would be an end unto itself -- a bit of hiking, some reading, and staring at the trees. Turns out I'm not quite the contemplative type I thought I was.
It's been a lot more fun since I've added astrophotography into the mix. Now camping involves much more studying maps for a good location (need a dark sky); timing the new moon; choosing a foreground; taking the images; working in photoshop to put it all together; and learning how to improve. Never thought I'd like that sort of thing, but it keeps me engaged and focused on my surroundings.
Drawing and painting also have a lot of appeal for the same reasons I like astrophotography -- I'd love to work on some watercolor like Milt on Wander the West. The local botanical gardens teaches drawing and water color courses.
Fishing is right out.
Hope you find some enjoyable activity that still gets you away from the "Desert of the Real" and puts a smile on your face.
Go get an RC Axial SCX 10 or something similar, rock crawler, rock basher whatever. I got an Axial Yeti and used a 50x75' area for a race course. This was in a state park and had a blast.
Then there's drinking, then a nap. If the lake is low, use the beach.
Rather than going "camping", treat your truck camper as a more convenient place to sleep while traveling for other reasons, such as:
Visiting every national park in the US and Canada.
Visiting every Civil War battlefield.
Playing golf in every state.
Or buy several of those "weird" books - Weird NY, Weird TX, Weird OR, etc. and tour around one of those states visiting the sites in the book that look interesting
About 25 years ago I got a book from national geographic that included info on scenic highways and byways in every state. Once I get down to the states, I want to start putting some miles on the truck. I plan to get a FWC shell model to spend the nights in. I'm not really into hanging out in one place, rather just use it for shelter over night. Maybe you could try using your camper as a tool rather than recreation. Do something fun that you love to do and use the camper in order to give it a go someplace far from home.
I pull my trailer to spots that are remote. Sometimes I'm next to a body of water, but usually not. I like to fish. A lake can keep me busy for a few days. I take a technical approach to fishing. What are they biting on, where and when. I try to find fishing spots that most people won't find. My knees aren't what they used to be so I pack in as light as I can and use hiking poles to help relieve the strain on my knees.
Once I'm retired I'll call ahead to a state park or wildlife refuge to see if they could use a volunteer. I do plan to drive around North America to see all the sights I haven't see yet. If I have time, I'll write another book. I don't sit around well. I need something to do.
Thanks all for the tips. I just came back from several trips abound, and my legs are killing me but it was well worth it. I guess I'll need to find a hobby or something. Reading and hiking only go so far but still very enjoyable. I thought about getting a ebike or electric scooter but more stuff to carry and worry about, so we'll see. I love the outdoors, I'm out until the stars come out and awake when the birds start chiping. I just came back from a lake and the surrounding area was nothing but jagged rocks and slippery rocks, perfect ankle displacement territory. I guess everybody has their thing and I'm finding mine. Thanks.. here's some pics..
