A year ago, I was looking through pictures I’d taken in my first six months of RV life. So many never made their way into the blog or social media. Simply not room for everything. Plus, some photos, no matter how much I liked them (such as things I’ve discovered people use as outside RV decor), didn’t belong.

But it sparked an idea. Photo essays. I decided it would be fun to create photo posts based on themes, meaning they could be taken anywhere location-wise. I’ve done a few pictorial posts but those were more of a sneak peak at posts to come about an area.

Some of my initial ideas for photo essays were water towers in various towns I’ve visited, towns’ welcome signs, interesting trees and so on. But, despite the great idea, it has taken a while to have enough photos on one theme to publish them. From here forward I hope to publish a photo essay once a quarter. It allows me (and you) to take a breather from the usual word-intensive blog post.

Plus, you get to see some really cool stuff.

Thoughts on Outside RV Decor

I want to start with photos I’ve taken of the things people put outside their rigs for decoration. I never gave it much thought until I decided to do this blog post. But, think about the effort it takes to put up outside decor and think about the valuable space the item takes up when not in use.

When you see the items as the thought and effort people took for others to enjoy, it makes you see those items with new eyes. I acknowledge them as a choice the RVer made and cannot help but wonder what the item says about those RVer.

The Flags

The most popular thing people place outside their RVs is a decorative flag on flag stand. So many, in fact, I could’ve done a photo essay only on RVers’ flags. Some have been customized with the campers’ names. Customized or not, the most common flag, by far, is “Happy Camper.”

Happy Campers flag outside an RV.
The most popular of all the flags.
RV lawn flag with three puffins.
This flag was not an Alaskan’s rig but when I think puffins, I think Alaska. Though it is the Willow Ptarmigan that is the Alaska state bird.
RV flag that reads, "Always at home wherever we roam."
Many flags are about RV life. In the desert sand, flags and other ornaments are easy to place.
RV lawn flag that reads, "You don't have to be crazy to camp with us, we can train you."
One of my favorite flags.
RV lawn sign with a flamingo that reads, "Welcome." A blue plastic flamingo stands near the flag.
This flag came with a bonus.

Speaking of flamingos, once I saw an RV’s outside decor was an entire flock of the pink plastic flamingos. They must’ve had eight or more. I wished I’d gotten a photo of that one. Now that is effort and space…and a love of flamingos.

Other Signs

Sign that reads, "Beware of Dog Kisses."
Now, this is my kind of sign. It’s attached to the dog kennel they had set up in front of their trailer.
Sign in front of an RV that reads, "Welcome to our Fire Pit. The S'More the Merrier!"
My favorite signs are the ones that make me chuckle. This was one. It’s more heavy-duty than a flag.
A stand in front of an RV. It reads, "How I tell time...." Underneath on the left it says, "AM" and has two coffee cups hanging. On the right it says, "PM" and has two wine glasses hanging.
Another sign that cracked me up every single time I walked by it. And this one comes with props.

Three Dimensional Decor

Garden gnome with a welcome sign in front of an RV's tire.
Garden gnome. Not just for the garden.
Red white and blue tall chicken in front of an RV.
I took a double take when I walked passed this one. It certainly was unusual. They must like chickens. Can you see the one in the background hanging ? Or maybe they aren’t chickens.
Decorative Saint Bernard dog with a barrel around his neck in front of an RV.
Okay, I have to admit that the first few times I saw this one, I thought it was real. Solstice and I saw it from a distance on our walks and I was impressed with how still the dog stood. This is definitely a space hog. It’s in front of a very large Class A so at its head, it’s probably two feet tall. Then again, Saint Bernard dogs are big pups.
To get the full effect, you have to see this one in the dark but it doesn’t photograph well in the dark.

Speaking of the dark, I also see a lot of solar decorations. The one above is a plug in but it made me think of all the ones I see at night. In fact, I have one myself. They collect sun all day, then when the sun goes down they light up. You see these in the form of strings of lights quite often. I have a solar lantern.

For the Fun of It

Random items next to a tree. The sign reads, "Found Desert Treasures."
Technically, this probably doesn’t count because these items were found not brought. When the people leave, I’m sure all of this will go to the trash. But I liked the idea and the effort they put into creating and maintaining it. The first time I saw the display it was in front of their rig. But after a big wind storm it was moved under a tree for a little more protection.

I hope you like the new addition to the blog. Let me know your thoughts outside RV decor. If you are an RVer, what outside RV decor to do take with you? And share any ideas for a photo essay I could do.

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