While it had been a dream for many years, we recently purchased a new RV. Our goal is to take it out RV camping at least once per month, hopefully more when the kids are not in school. I recently read this article on NPR about how there are near record RV sales right now. A lot of people are purchasing their first RV right now, and for good reason. RV's provide a whole new and interesting way to vacation. There are a lot of perks to having one.

Here are my top 10 reasons to consider getting an RV:

• Affordability. Having an RV is affordable, depending on how much you spend on one. But the good news there is that there is something out there for every budget and preference. From pop-up trailers to huge coach ones, there's loads of options to choose from, including used and new inventory, with something to fit every budget. Plus, while you may drop $100 per night on hotel rooms to travel, taking your RV will typically cost you around $20-30 per night. There are state parks you can camp in that are $18-30 per night. You can stay on the water in the Keys for $30-50 per night, which is a fraction of what it would cost to stay in a hotel. You can also cook your meals in the RV or at your campsite, so you will save money there that would otherwise be spent eating out while traveling.

• Diversity. Having an RV gives you a wide range of options to explore when traveling. You can choose to stay at the beach, the springs, in the woods, or at a lake. There are many places to explore at the campground, as well as nearby, giving you the ability to check out the sites in that area and then head back to your $20 per night campsite and the comfort of your own bed. Living in the Daytona Beach area, we have plenty of places within just an hour or two away that we can explore if we don't want to go far, including many springs and state parks.

• Amenities. It's darn nice being able to get up in the middle of the night and use the bathroom if I need to. It's also comforting to know that I have a little more shelter during a storm than a tent. And when someone wants to take a shower they can do it in the comfort and privacy of our RV, rather than going to an open campsite restroom. An RV gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to spend time bedding down in nature, while having some of the amenities most of us have come to love. It's nice to sleep in your own bed.

• Nature time. We are nature lovers and spend a lot of time doing things outside. Our cabin on wheels gives us the ability to set up at lots of different nature spots. We can wake up listening to the birds, go to bed watching the fireflies, and hike and swim minutes from our campsite. That's hard to beat.

• Pets welcome. While we don't take our cat camping, there are many people that do take their pets with them. If you have a dog, for example, you may be paying to board it or have someone stop by while you are on vacation. But when you have an RV you can take your dog right along with you. Most campsites let people have up to two dogs at their campsite, and we've even seen people have their cats in their campers, too.

• Something different. If you have never spent much time going camping, this is something different to try. You will find that it gives you a new perspective and a whole new way to explore things. You may find it to be exciting, as most of us with RV's do.

• Tiny house living. There may be a tiny house movement now, but RV's were at the forefront of that movement. You can have a tiny house, on wheels, and you will see just how little you can live with. You will also hone your conservation skills, as you will use less water and electricity. Plus, as small a they are, they are easy to keep clean.

• Adventure. I often see travel trailer images that say "see the world" under them. With an RV you can explore and have new adventures. Whether you visit the many places here in Florida, or you set off across the country, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure out there.

• Getting away. Most of us have so much going on in our daily lives that it is nice to just get away. With an RV, you can plan a weekend getaway, where your family can relax, unwind, and re-charge. Even going an hour away will give you a new perspective and place to relax and explore.

• Bonding. We are creating great family memories with each RV camping trip that we make. We spend a lot of quality time together during each trip. We laugh, ride bikes, hike, swim, and just have a good time.

As I drive through a campground I am happy to see so many options. There are families in pop-up trailers, travel trailers, and others in coach motor homes. There is an option for everyone, and everyone out there appears to be having a great time. Some people own a cabin in the woods, but some people, like my family, own a cabin on wheels, that we can pull to any woods or other location that we desire. And we love it!