Father Son Memories: An Interview with Michael Palmer

Welcome, Michael and Mikey! Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and why you choose to travel in an RV.
A. We have always loved living an outdoor lifestyle. We believe it is a way of life and one of the best ways of enjoying life.

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less!
A: Father & Son Bonding.

RVing helps the Palmers enjoy the community of NASCAR and racing.

A few lightning questions:

Q. Favorite snack, meal, or beverage to have at the campsite?
A. Anything on a grill. Steak, Chicken, Kabobs. We always have to have ice-cold Coca-Cola. You cannot go RVing without having some marshmallows to roast over the campfire!

Q. 3 pieces of gear you always pack?
A.

Chairs for sitting by the bonfire. Pocket knives.  His first one he has ever owned. I gave it to him last year because my dad gave me my first one as a kid on our first camping trip together. We always have to have our American flag lights that we bought at Camping World hanging from our awning. Michael and Mikey get comfortable in their chairs as they prepare to watch the race.

Q. First thing you do when you arrive at the campsite?
A. Fly our American flag.

Q. Tell us about your first experience RVing, respectively? What stands out about that experience?
A. We knew that this was going to be something that we would be doing for the rest of our lives together. It changed the way we looked at life.

Q. You both love to RV as NASCAR enthusiasts; how has RVing helped you experience the sport in a new way?
A. Camping is a huge part of the sport. You have the best seat in the house when we are able to sit on top of the RV and watch the race. There is also a sense of family and community amongst the other campers. We are all there because of the sport that we all love so much.

Q. Do you have any other hobbies, interests, pastimes, or curiosities that you pursue in an RV?
A. I would eventually like to upgrade to one to drive. When I retire from my career, my goal would be to travel the country following the NASCAR schedule. That means I would go to EVERY NASCAR race for an entire year.

Michael and Mikey meet NASCAR drivers at the race.

Q. What is an RV memory you’ll be sharing around the campfire for years to come?
A. When my son and I set up the RV on our first camping trip. We built a campfire and sat there in awe. He leaned over to me and said “This is going to change our lives.” He wasn’t wrong. Haha.

Q. What would you say are the greatest perks of RV travel?
A. It is ours. There is no need to worry about checking in and out of hotels. It is our second home.

Michael and Mikey tune in to the game commentary from their campsite.

Q. What advice do you have to people who want to try RVing for the first time?
A. Do It. If you are thinking about it, just do it. It becomes a way of life and you will never turn back.

Q. Has RVing given you a fresh perspective on anything–friends, community, racing?
A. Being in a pandemic that lasted over a year, I feel that this has been the only thing that has felt normal while we were in the pandemic. It gave us an escape. It was our peace. It gave us a sense that everything was eventually going to be okay.

Mikey gets a front-row seat at the racetrack.

Q. What is your favorite quote, lyric, or mantra that you repeat on your travels?

Life is about the simple things. Never take advantage of them. Enjoy every moment.