Motor homes, SUVs and weekend warriors

On my way to KC, I entered the freeway dodging a slow moving caravan of motor homes sauntering south in the slow lane. Initially, I could count at least 10 motor homes ahead pulling all makes and models of pick- up trucks and SUVs. As it turned out, 10 was an understatement. As I drove from St. Cloud to Rogers MN, south on 94, about 40 miles, I passed more than 150, 36 foot motor homes one after the other, each one pulling an SUV or Truck from Toyota, Avalanche, Hummer and Escalade. A variety of truck models hooked up to the 36 footers…with Harley’s or Honda’s loaded in the truck bed. My first thought when I came upon this caravan of excess was did they not get the TPS memo. They are the only Americans who have not noticed a small hike in the gas and diesel prices lately?
The scene provoked me. Not only because I have done my part in keeping down consumption by selling my Escalade and buying a vehicle that consumed less gas. I drive my motorcycle to conserve as well. We also jus t sold our motor home as its usage and the price of gas made no sense at all.

To make matters worse, about midway on my trip, a caravan of military vehicles entered the freeway, dodging motor homes like the rest of us. It was quite the irony. There they were in their soldiers of war apparel off for a weekend training in ways to protect Americans, having trouble merging onto the freeway in their military jeeps and Hummers because of gas guzzling motor homes pulling gas guzzling SUVs in the slow lane. I wondered if these weekend warriors thought about the battles being fought amidst the oil fields in Iraq, a pending conflict with Iran… the standoff in Venezuela.
I initially feared this group must be vigilant Republicans making a statement converging on Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention, so I called in help to research. As it turns out it was a Family Motor Home Association convention converging on St. Paul Minnesota.
I have many thoughts on this visual of gas guzzling caravan juxtaposed next to military caravan.
First of all, Americans are blessed and prosperous and have worked hard to enjoy all of this excess. Many aren’t being hit by the economic crisis that is devastating others. These motor homes cost upwards of $300 thousand. Many of the homes being foreclosed on in America are half of that.
Our consumption drives supply and demand and gas is $4, diesel $5. Our excess seems to be coming back to haunt us in so many ways, but it doesn’t seem we are getting the message.