I was looking around today to see how much high gas prices have affected the sales of RVs. I was expecting to find that sales had dropped significantly since in the mainstream automotive sales, sales of large SUVs like hummers have absolutely plummeted.

However, what I learned surprised me. Not only have RV sales failed to plummet, they’ve actually gone up slightly compared to last year despite record high gas and diesel prices.

I think that it has to do with the fact that for many people, RVs really aren’t a means of getting from point A to point B. Instead, it’s a way of life for some people. Us campers tend to be passionate people, and even if we have to camp a little closer to home, it’s still worth it to get out into the outdoors and get away from the day to day grind, and to get the heck out of the congested cities so many of us find ourselves living in today.

Also, part of the reason (and I’m speculating here) about why RV sales have remained strong is the demographic of the people who purchase RVs. If you think about what a Class A RV costs - they start at over $100,000 - then it makes sense that the people who can afford to buy an RV would simply not be as affected by gas prices as a typical person who is struggling to make ends meet. Many people who purchase RVs are people nearing retirement who want to travel around the country. They’ve built up significant nest eggs and have plenty of money to do what they want to do and for them money really isn’t an issue.

I’d be interested to hear what your thoughts are on why RV sales have remained strong. Disagree with me? Have something else you’d like to say? Please post it by clicking on the comments link below.

With all the doom and gloom we’ve been posting on the blog for the past week, I thought it’d be a good time to shift gears and talk about some of the more fun aspects of camping this week.

Most people think of camping as a type of vacation that you take if you’re on a tight budget. However, with the rise in mass affluence throughout the country has come an entirely new type of camping called Glamping, or “glamor camping.”

Glamping is for those people who want a Four Seasons type of experience while still having the opportunity to be close to nature. It’s for those who think that camping in a luxury motorcoach is just way too primitive.

With a price tag of about $10,000 per week per person glamping certainly isn’t for the typical camper, but it does show that no matter how you like to camp, that option is available to you.

And while camping in general has been on a decline for the past two decades, luxury camping numbers are on the rise.

Ready to book your trip, here are a few places to go Glamping:

Paws Up Resort, Montana – When the outhouses even have heated slate floors, you know this isn’t your typical camping experience. Prices for a luxury tent start at $600/night plus food.

The Clayoquot Wildeness Resort, Vancouver Island - This resort is far off the beaten path and features luxury tents furnished with Persian rugs, antiques, king sized beds and heated blankets. And if cooking camping food isn’t your thing, it’s not a problem. Your personal chef will be happy to make you your s’mores and hots dogs (although they’ll make you whatever you want.) Cost – about $50,000 for a weeklong trip.

Abercrombie and Kent – If the idea of going camping without your own butler just seems unbearable, then an African Safari with Abercrombie and Kent is perfectly suited for your tastes. You can also take a trip to hang out with Buddhist monks in Bangkok, explore the citadel of Machu Pichu with its archeologist, or sail around Antarctica on what’s been deemed a “floating Four Seasons.” Cost – about $20,000 per week.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has closed some state parks because of flooding, including one of the state’s most popular, Devil’s Lake, which is typically booked solid this time of year.

Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin will remain closed until at least Thursday, June 18. Officials will reassess the situation at the park Wednesday night. Officials state the park is closed to all use, including campers, day users, boaters, walkers, and driving sightseers. Some campsites have been washed out, railroad tracks have been washed out, high water is making some roads impassable, and sewer and water utilities are down in some areas. Campers who had reservations are asked to call the Wisconsin State Parks Reservation system at 888.947.2757 to change their reservations or request a refund.

Parfrey’s Glen at the Devil’s Lake State Park area is also closed with no reopening date released yet. Repairs will need to be made before it can be reopened.

Wildcat Mountain State Park in western Wisconsin is also closed, until at least June 29 because the entrance road to the park, Highway 33, has washed away making the park inaccessible. The park can be contacted at 608.337.4775. To change reservations or request a refund call 888.947.2757.

Rocky Arbor State Park in Wisconsin is also closed to all but limited Friday and Saturday night camping in June. But it’s not because of the flooding although trees in the campground were knocked down by the storms. It’s due to gypsy moth problems. The park is expecting to be back to being fully operational by the beginning of July.

Some other state parks in Wisconsin have experienced flooding of some areas but are still open for camping and day use, at least in most of the park. Parks reporting flooded and closed campsites or trails include:

Governor Dodge State Park - the horse trails, bike trails, and horse campground are closed

Kettle Moraine State Forest at Mauthe Lake & Long Lake - some campsites are flooded but all campers with reservations will be accommodated. The Tamarack Circle Trail, Horse Trails, and Mountain Bike Trails are closed. The Mauthe Lake to Long Lake Bike Trail has flooding and washouts and use is not recommended.

Kohler-Andrae State Park - Group campsites A & B along with sites 42-47 are closed due to flooding.

“400″ State Trail - closed due to flooding and storm damage

Elroy-Sparta State Trail - closed, likely for at least 2 weeks. The storms have caused several mudslides.

Military Ridge State Trail - 4 sections of the trail are closed

Lake Kegonsa - beach, marsh boardwalk, and lakeshore trail closed

Harrington Beach State Park Trails - most are closed but the shuttle bus road is open for walking as well as the Quarry and Bobolink trails.

Badger State Trail - bridge in Monroe at 8th street is closed until repairs are made.

Wyalusing State Park - the Sand Cave, Flint Ledge, Old Wagon Road, Walnut Springs, and Indian trails as well as Homestead Hill Road have been closed since July 2007 when heavy rains caused extensive damage. The trails remain closed with no reopening dates announced yet.

Black River State Forest ATV Trail - closed north of the Hwy 54 parking lot and continuing north to the Clay School Road parking lot (10.9 mile section). A 3 mile spur heading east toward Crawford Hills is also closed.

Anyone planning to visit a state park or use a state trail in the southern part of Wisconsin is encouraged to call ahead for current conditions. Click here for a map of Wisconsin State Parks. Click on the desired park name for contact information.

For road closure and detour information in Wisconsin, click here to go to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Travel Alert website.

To find the current conditions at Wisconsin State Parks and Recreation areas, go to the DNR park conditions website and click on the desired park/recreation area.