Out In It: 'Just looking' morphs into unexpected camper buy

The entire Baker crew was in Duluth the other day, and, on a whim, we decided to check out some campers. We pulled into Bullyan RV and proceeded to drive through the line of small travel trailers along the edge of the parking lot, pointing at the ones that our Suburban might safely pull. By the time we parked, we had our short list already narrowed down.

We weaved and bobbed around the row of trailers like a flock of ducklings paddling cross current on a lazy afternoon. We jumped over trailer tongues, pulled at locked doors, and plopped on the cement to scan the undercarriage. Our flopping and prodding triggered a visit from Doug, the friendly salesman. In no time we took our exploration indoors. Jamie and Hannah pushed on the beds and began planning the floor mats and storage. The boys climbed into the bunks and tested their surroundings. I peeked inside, but the mass of child energy contained within coupled with the heat of the day kept me safely in the parking lot. I assured the salesmen we were just looking.

Doug was nice enough to show us around several other options as I continuously reminded him it was our first day even considering a camper and we really didn’t know yet what we didn’t know. He jumped on the opportunity to cull me from the herd, answer my questions, and show me around the dealership. We met the finance guy, we kicked a few tires, ran a few numbers, all pretty harmless.

We wound our way back to Jamie and the kids who had made themselves at home in our favorite camper. By this time two other families were climbing around our kids, giving it the once over. Doug worked his magic. “If this one sells, we won’t be able to get you another one until the end of August,” he said nonchalantly. Still, I held strong that we would head home and talk about it. He understood, and off he went.

On cue, one of the other families broke from the camper and scurried inside, their friendly salesman ready to close the deal. I gathered the family in a huddle. Our low -ey, take our time, think about it later approach had been blown out of the water. We needed a decision. Jamie and I locked eyes. I pivoted in position, the slight nod she gave me was enough, I bolted for the opposite door of the dealership.

I busted through the door and took a sharp left. Within seconds I stood before the finance guy. He was crunching numbers, but he paused long enough to look curiously at me huffing and puffing in his doorway. I pointed across the showroom floor, to the parking lot beyond.

“I want to put a deposit on that camper ... right now.” I was no longer just looking.

Back outside I gave my family a thumbs up. It took me a while, but I tracked down Doug and let him know, to his surprise, he had just sold a camper. We still don’t know what we don’t know. Learning the camper lingo and logistics will take some time, but we look forward to the adventures that await.

Bret Baker is an award-winning outdoors columnist and lifetime resident of Cloquet. He is a proud husband, father, educator and outdoorsman. Email him at Legacy [email protected] with fishing questions or story ideas.