Episode 7G09
Written by John Swartzwelder
Directed by Wesley Archer
Additional cast: Albert Brooks (as Cowboy Bob)

Premise: In an attempt to keep up with the Flanders, Homer purchases an RV and the Simpsons set off for the wild. Where bears, bees, rabbits and curious naturalists with camcorders await.

Features: Tod Flanders, Ned Flanders, Dr Marvin Monroe.

Couch: The Simpsons just sit down.

Trivia:

• Flanders has bought a Behemoth RV. Homer peruses the Ultimate Behemoth, which comes complete with its own satellite, Van-Sat 1.
• Homer makes the front page of the Springfield Weekly and the National Informer (several times).

Homage: The incidental score tips a hat to Swallows and Amazons, and the TV anchorman's order to 'Get those bears out of here' sounds suspiciously like Mr Peebley's weekly order to Botch in Hanna-Barbera's The Hair Bear Bunch.

Notes: This was not to be the only appearance of bears in the series. As with a lot of the first season this episode is a bit less than the sum of its parts. The early stuff at the RV Round-Up is much better than the main camping story, although there's some nice Marge-Lisa bonding, and who could resist Maggie and the bears?