We camped for vacation because we loved the outdoors, but also because it was the only kind of vacation we could afford. A single week in a hotel and eating in restaurants could get you kitted out with some pretty good camping gear that would last you ages. We'd do four day weekends all the time. Our only expenses were gas, food (cooked on site), and campsite. Hell, if it was bird or fishing season most of our dinner was taken care of. We only took one trip in a plane when I was young, and one more when we drove to Chicago because my mom wanted to, and I don't recall my siblings or I ever complaining about not taking a "real" vacation. It's been over twenty years and I bet I can still get to a couple of our favorite spots by memory. Some damn fine memories in the woods, but the only memories I have of Chicago are traffic and an overcrowded museum. Ok, I'll admit, the submarine they had was awesome.