Let’s roll

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 11, 2011

Open roads are waiting — for many Teche Area residents, that means getting family and friends together for a weekend of camping or a long excursion traveling in their recreational vehicles.

Whether it is a short trip or cross-country odyssey with a travel trailer, fifth-wheeler or luxury motor home, RV camping has become one of the favorite getaways for Teche Area residents. Campers say it is a form of recreation that is geared toward young and old, allowing family members to spend quality time together.

While some may argue that a stay at a camp ground in a luxury motor home comparable to a four or five-star hotel stay should not be referred to as camping, others say you don’t have to rough it in a tent to be part of the pioneering spirit of camping. It’s all about the camaraderie of the camp grounds, seeing the sights and enjoying some of the activities that only nature can offer.

Johnnie and Diana LeBlanc have been camping for 18 years and love the camp ground atmosphere and the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Each time the Jeanerette couple hits the road in their luxury 40-foot, four-slide Phaeton motor home, more commonly referred to as “Pa Pa’s Big Camper,” they are ready for a new adventure.

The destination of many of the campers taking to the highways in large motor homes and fifth-wheelers may be surprising. For many, RVing only means a 15 or 30 minute trip — but is a change of pace from their everyday lifestyle.

“It doesn’t have to be a long trip across the country to enjoy camping. A weekend trip at a camp ground in the area can be just as much fun. There is a lot to see in our own state. Once we are at a camp ground, we take off on the back roads to enjoy the scenery and see different things our own state has to offer. Sometimes we overlook what we have in Louisiana,” said Diana LeBlanc.

When their four children were growing up, the LeBlancs turned to RVs as a cheaper way of traveling. They started out with a travel trailer and upgraded six times through the years.

“Our kids still love to come camping with us and so does my grandson. It’s a way for us to get away, enjoy family and visit with friends,” said Johnnie LeBlanc.

With in motion satellite TV, surround sound, washer and dryer, four slides to provide a spacious living area and sleeping accommodations for eight, it’s like traveling in your own home, he said.

“When you’re towing a camper, you can’t wait to get where you’re going, but when you’re driving a diesel pull motor home, you’re sorry to get where you’re going. It’s a whole different ride with all the comforts,” said LeBlanc.

The couple share the driving hours when on a long trip.

“I really don’t have any problems driving a motor home this size. But I must admit, it does work out better when my husband is sleeping while I’m driving,” she said.

New Iberia residents Terry Badeaux, his wife, Rosabel “Peanut” Badeaux, and their poodle Gypsy Rose are always ready to hook up their fifth- wheeler and take off for a long weekend of camping.

The Badeauxs are “seasoned campers” who have owned bumper pull campers, fifth- wheelers and a motor home.

Whether it’s a campground overnight stay in small camper, luxury motor home or camping tent, Badeaux said it is all about enjoying the outdoors.

“We’ve down-sized and are back to a fifth wheeler. We just enjoy RV traveling. It gives us a chance to see the sights along the way. When there is something that really interests us, we just stop,” said Badeaux. “We’ve made so many new friends from across the country. I’ve never met anybody that camps that I didn’t like.”

The Badeauxs, members of the Cajun Rebs Camping Group, said they like RV traveling since most camp grounds are pet friendly, allowing Gypsy Rose to travel with them.

James Hebert, 84, and his wife, Maude, 83, have traveled over 200,000 miles in a motor home and still aren’t ready to give up their love for camping.

The New Iberia couple have enjoyed numerous trips in the 25 years they have been traveling in their motor home. As members of the Cruisin Cajuns Family Motor Coach Association Club, they are always ready to join in any club gatherings.

“We still enjoy tailgating from our motor home for the LSU football games. We’ve traveled to a national rally in California and have been to six other state rallies,” said James Hebert. “We’ve made such good friends across the country and still stay in touch with them.”

Walter Scott and Mary Labiche, co-owners of Scotty’s Camper Sales, enjoy camping even more than selling the recreation vehicles.

“We both grew up camping and still enjoy it with our families,” said Walter Scott. “You realize how popular camping really is when you try to find a spot in a state park without making a reservation. The state parks have so much to offer and there is a little something to fit everyone’s lifestyle. We have a lot of nice camping grounds in our immediate area.”

For those looking to travel in luxury with all the amenities of home and more, Scott said they can expect to pay between $200,000 to $300,000 for a new diesel pull motor home with the luxury of approximately 550 square foot of living area, central vacuum, custom made cabinets, porcelain tile, washer and dryer, stainless steel appliances and three to four large flat screen televisions.

“Anything over $300,000, you’re paying for the bells and whistles. You can hit the $1 million mark, but you’re paying for a larger engine and more elaborate interior,” he said.

Labiche said there is an RV to fit all lifestyles.

“There are so many varieties of camping. We have those customers who use RVs occasionally when they go to a hunting lease or a camp ground with golfing and there are those full-timers who have retired, sold their home and are just living in their motor home while traveling across the country,” she said.