The Ultimate Vacation: Recreation Meets Comfort

As the massive bulge of baby boomers begins toof companies are combining a day of the best
slowly reach their retirement years, a definite changeoutdoor pursuits with nights of comfortable living.
is taking place in the way they want to take theirThe ideas incorporated in North American sports are
holidays. This is the generation that revitalized themost likely an adaptation of those used by safari
roughing it industry; when the baby boomers were incompanies in Africa. After a long day out on the
their early twenties right through to the beginning ofsavannah, tourists who use the companies can come
the forties, the traditional outdoors pursuits saw aback to camp and rest secure in a cool bungalow,
huge rise in popularity; hunting, fishing, hiking,surrounded with the very best in food and wine, with
canoeing, and camping were all at the top lists of toclean beds to lie down on and hot water in the
do activities.morning.
As time passes on, though, the need for creatureThis concept of the safari is now being incorporated
comforts began to vie with the need to get closerinto hunting, fishing, and rafting operations across
to nature. Fifth wheel trailers began to take the placeNorth America. Rafting trips in California include wine
of tents and even campers as the accommodationtasting tour and onboard music options, and those
of choice when it came to staying in the greatwho sign up for multi-day trips can expect some of
outdoors, and hotels, cabins, and bungalows in popularthe finest wining and dining that there is. Fishing and
vacation spots were soon outselling space longhunting outfitters have also picked up on the idea,
before the local campgrounds filled up.and a hard day outdoors can be combined with an
The reason is simple; while baby boomers still enjoyeasy evening, with a guarantee that participants will
outdoor pursuits, they no longer wish to make thenot be skunked.
great outdoors a 24 hour experience during vacationOften, the end of the day amenities will include some
time. As a result, outdoor recreation is more popularof the finest wines and food available. The companies
than ever, but when it comes to long trips the toooffering such delectable fare are clearly appealing to
much fresh air is regarded as a bad thing.a generation that still craves the outdoors, but is also
This could have meant doom for traditional guidinginterested in leaving the more mundane aspects of
industries such as those in hunting, fishing, and rafting,the life behind. These operations can truly be said to
but rather than tough it out many enterprisingincorporate the best of two worlds!
businesses have chosen to adapt. Today, hundreds