Having traveled from state to state and every city in the United States over 10,000 population occasionally staying at motor home camp grounds it seems that a few new ideas might be worthy of mention. Motor home campgrounds generally consist of a cement parking stall, which is level and then hook ups for electricity, water, waste and Cable TV if you so need it. Often there is grass in between stalls and sometimes grass between the centers of the cement area you park on, probably to add ambiance for stalls with no motor homes parked there and/or to save the cost of the concrete during construction of the camp ground?

All this is very nice and makes sense however, the closest areas to the motor homes themselves ought to paved with Astroturf not actual sod. There are many reasons for this. Quite often there are localized weeds growing in the camp ground and the seeds from these weeds get caught in the undercarriage of the motorhome or a trailer they are towing. If the motor home is there for a month the weeds have time to grow underneath and close to the motorhomes guaranteeing that they will in fact get caught in the undercarriage.

In most states the USDA Forest Service is careful to maintain a noxious weed program to prevent the transfer of local indigenous weeds to other places where those weeds might interfere with the local eco-system and cause a take-over or add new insects to the area. If campers have animals they move fleas as well to other areas. Mosquitoes too can hitch a ride. Properly maintained camp grounds are important and the use of Astroturf which properly drains prevents freestanding water for Mosquitoes to breed and possible hitch a ride after wards, as West Nile Virus seems to be killing more and more people each year.

Dried brush underneath a vehicle can cause a fire hazard from the tail pipes and dead grass growth under the motorhome is unsafe after the vehicle departs. Additionally with the Western States at a drought crisis the water can be saved without sacrificing the ambiance. Also realize that the older folks who drive motorhomes have weakened immune systems due to age and are more susceptible to catching a virus or disease. Perhaps more camp grounds should look into these things to prevent the spread of noxious weeds, the breeding of mosquitoes and decreasing the fire hazard risks? Think about it.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?