Fall colors, RV life converge

Two dynamic forces are intersecting this week: Fall colors are peaking across the mountain country (and about to arrive in force in the foothills) — and RV buyers are transforming the outdoor scene.

The result is that many who own RVs, and have the time to use them, are venturing this week to see the fall colors.

Fall colors now: Field scout John Poimiroo, the editor of CaliforniaFallColor.com, based out of Mono County and a longtime buddy of mine, said the aspens in the canyons of the Eastern Sierra (Lundy, Bishop, Rock Creek canyons, Convict Lake, June Lake), Hope Valley along Highway 88, and other prime spots hit peak color in the past week. The best colors are in the 7,000- to 9,000-foot elevation range. In the next month, the colors will arrive in full force down the western slope of the Sierra to the hardwoods of the Bay Area.

Like fishing, the best spots often stay the best spots, year after year. That is, anywhere with big leaf maples, dogwoods, sweetgum, valley oaks, fruit trees and, in the high country, aspens.

RV market: As fall arrives, the high number of RVs on the road and at camps, amid lower numbers of vacationers across Northern California, is a testament to the increase in sales of RVs. According to industry contacts, RV sales have had 10-15 percent sustained increases for more than five years.

Three big changes have propelled the boom: R-pods, which are light camper-trailers that provide a place to sleep, and similar small campers are top sellers in the $15,000 to $20,000 range. You don’t need to buy a big truck to pull them and they are easy to back up, both a big plus.

Other top sellers are new, luxury fifth wheels in the $50,000 (and higher) range, often pulled by a new truck that costs $70,000 or more. These buyers have money and they’re spending it.

You can find an old Driveway Queen, an RV from the 1990s with low miles, often with faded paint, for sale in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Few have interest.

They want new and shiny, either small or large, and then to venture and see the fall colors.