Morris and Claudia Lang have always loved to camp.  The Westland, Michigan natives started in tents in 1986 and upgraded to a popup camper about 8 years later.  After two years of occasional camping in the popup, they bought a 35-foot fifth-wheel and became regular weekend warriors.


From tent to popup, Step #1
While not on the road, Claudia was a fixture in RV chat rooms – swapping stories and trading advice with others who loved the lifestyle.  It was in one of these forums that a seed of an idea began to sprout.  “We were becoming such good friends,” says Claudia of her chat room pals, “But none of us had ever actually met before.  We decided it was time to get our families together.”


The first annual Chat Room Rally, originally conceived by Claudia, was held in Sevierville, Tennessee.  It was a fantastic week of meeting old friends for the very first time. Attendees played games, swapped road stories around the campfire and generally reveled in the freedom and fun of the RV lifestyle.  In the true spirit of RVing, the itinerary was loose.  “We would all get together for breakfast and dinner, the rest of the day was yours to do as you pleased.  Some of us would go shopping, others fishing, golfing, swimming – whatever.”  Claudia laughs at the memory. “Dinners were a lot of fun.  Each one was themed.  We would sing, dance, tell stories.  It was hilarious.”


The rally was a microcosm of everything they loved about the unique RV community.  “The first day one of

Pop-up to fifth-wheel, step #2.
the guys came out of his motorhome wearing bib overalls.  This man is a bank president.  But that’s how it is. Our rally group was made up of teachers, judges, lawyers – all walks of life – but we never really paid any attention to that.  We were all RVers.”


The inaugural Chat Room Rally culminated in a Mexican-themed dinner party … and a promise to do it all again next year. Though it has been nine years since that first rally, Claudia still stays in touch with two of the couples.  “They’re family.” She says.


After that great rally experience, the Langs were finally ready to consider hitting the road full time.  It was Claudia who first broached the subject.  “I’m the adventurous one.  I couldn’t wait to get started.”


Morris did not need much convincing.  “I love to travel, and we had been hearing about all the fun we would have from full timers for years.”


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To prepare to make the leap, Morris, a retired commercial truck driver, packed his garage tools and Claudia peppered her “chat room peeps” with questions.  Before they knew it, the house was sold and the fifth wheel had been traded in.  A barely-used 38-foot Class A would be the Langs’ home base as they set out to discover America.  Other than clothes and Morris’ tools everything else went the way of the garage sale or the donation box.  The Langs were determined to travel light – they did not even bother with an itinerary.  All they had when they headed out was a heart for adventure and the wisdom gleaned for hundreds of conversations at camps and in forums.


The driving came easy for Morris.  It was a different story – at first – for Claudia.  “I knew I needed to learn how to drive the rig in case something happened while we were on the road.  I wanted to be able to get us where we needed to go.  It was nerve wracking at first; but once I got used to the coach, I loved it.  Now, we fight over who gets to drive next, because we both enjoy it so much!”


Once the coin flip over the pilot’s chair was decided, the Langs headed south from Michigan with only one

First destination on the full-time journey, Panama City Beach, Florida.
goal – to stop wherever the road ended.  Their first “destination” turned out to be the breathtaking Emerald Coast of Florida, Panama City Beach.  For Morris and Claudia, that first Gulf Coast sunset signaled an end to life as they knew it and a colorful beginning to the freedom of the open road.


“After Florida, we toured the west – Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico.” Said Morris, “I loved Vegas.  Amazing.”  Another favorite site was a little ‘pull-off’ camp near Yuma. “We had a spot right on the Colorado River.  So beautiful and peaceful.”


South Dakota tops Claudia’s list.  “Absolutely gorgeous.  I kept thinking, if it didn’t get so cold I could definitely live here.  So much variety and breathtaking scenery, and, of course, Mount Rushmore was incredible.” Another South Dakota favorite was the imposing carving of Native American hero, Crazy Horse, echoing a size and ambition as vast as the Wild West.  


Of course, one of the best things about RVing is having a little bit of home out in all that nature.  “We love

Crazy Horse, South Dakota.
camping, but we love our ‘city amenities’ too.”  Claudia grins, “We don’t mind the occasional ‘pull off’ camp, but we appreciate our water, electric, cable and WiFi.”


“If we are staying anywhere at least for a night,” adds Morris, “We put the lights on the awning and put the wheel covers on.  It’s a simple way to make our RV feel more like home – no matter where we are.”


Today the RV is parked at the Lang’s current home base in Sun City Center, Florida; but their travels are far from over.  “We still have a lot to see.” Claudia’s eyes drift away into the sunset.  “Oregon…Washington…I’ve heard that Vancouver’s gorgeous.  We may even get to Alaska one of these days.  All we have to do is gas up and go.”


Freedom.  Wide open spaces with all the comforts of home.  Endless possibilities in breathtaking hues as vast and varied as sunsets in the desert.  That’s what RVing means to the Langs.  What will it mean for you?  


To find out all you have to do is hit the road.