Pismo Clam
Pismo Beach, Ca.
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Joined: 05/02/2005
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I predict that many RVers might start tenting again. With the cost of gas and diesel fuel going through the roof since last summer, hauling a modest 20'TT four hundred miles one way makes long haul trailer towing very limited.
At least within our budget constraints.
However, we still feel the need to camp now more than ever. I think there's only about 50,000 campgrounds in California and we intend to hit as many of them as possible. This is a very big state.
So it's back to tenting! Got some good gear. A large 3 season Eureka tent thats big enough that we could park our mid size SUV inside it. Got a gazebo for addition shade, DVD/TV/AUDIO in the vehicle for the wife's soap operas and chick flix, an exceptional stove, grill and camp kitchen gear.
We are life long gourmet cooks so we won't spend money eating out as we are cooks to begin with. Hours are enjoyed marinading foods and doing prep work for a evening meal complete with fine wine and martinis. In fact our meals will rival anything on the menu at the best local restaurants. Because we cook at the campsite we tend to attract strolling nieghbors. Fellow campers walk by and sniff, some inquire on left overs, others complain about thier cheese burgers and canned chili. We love passing out samples! Come by and see us anytime*
Recreationally kites, telescopes, bikes, lites and many other play toys are utilized. We have a very, very good time!
Yeah, there might be some campers complaining to the ranger that they can't see the lake when we set it all up but what the heck it's very comfy cozy camp and we are great camping neighbors so it's all good.
Night Security? We got "Maui" the Hawaiian Malamute who acts as our Night Porter.(Maui is the only Alaskan Malamute we know that doesn't dig cold water so we think he must be from the islands ) He's great for keeping tethered to the pick nick table in the evening. His presence scares off racoons and other non invited critters. Although sometimes we think he sleeps on the job.
Tent camping gear has come a long way and if done right it's great. Check out Cabelas on line and there's no limit to what creature comforts are available for tent camping. We are going camping at Lake Tahoe this summer and the money we'll be saving on fuel will go into our general camp fund contributing to degenerate casino gambling and wave runner rentals. What a life.
p.s. Done properly and using a good set of roof racks there's not much of a limit to the amount of gear you can pack into and onto a mid size SUV.
See ya on the road!
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mandymoriah7
Texas
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Joined: 05/11/2005
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I have hiked/camped for many years. Recently I purchased a tent on SamsClub.Com strictly for backpacking purposes. I was a little leery about purchasing such a high-tek tent on SamsClub.Com but I am glad I did. I was totally amazed at all the features the tent has and how lightweight it is--aluminum poles. It has a vestibule located in the front and back and is perfect to store all my gear. The only negative I would say is the website/description doesn't do the tent justice. I have the Jeep Headwall Tent. (8' x 4')
There is another backpacking tent on the website and if anyone has used it I would like to hear any feedback--Jeep Preying Mantis.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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RamCaTL
Roseville, CA
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Joined: 04/22/2002
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Pismo Clam wrote:...
So it's back to tenting! Got some good gear. A large 3 season Eureka tent thats big enough that we could park our mid size SUV inside it. Got a gazebo for addition shade, DVD/TV/AUDIO in the vehicle for the wife's soap operas and chick flix, an exceptional stove, grill and camp kitchen gear.
...
Funny - it sounds like I could have written this post.. except that I'm seriously contemplating the sirius XTR1 and the CD/AM-FM/Satellite boombox. They have a good rebate going on now and I just might pull the trigger. We usually associate audio with camping. I always felt watching TV in our trailer was basically just a time waster.. besides, we Tivo stuff at home so she won't miss her shows anyway!
Hope to see you out there - sounds like you and I are on the same path to camping happiness.
RamCaTL & Family
Kelty Family Dome Tent
One Wife, Two Kids and Chester the Miniature Pinscher
Go Sacramento KINGS!
http://www.thompent.com/camping/index.html
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59022
MT
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Joined: 08/04/2004
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As one representing the native community here, I started out in a tipi, moved to wall tents, and have gone full circle (TT, 5er, Class C, B, A & 8's) and am now back to the beginning. It's where I'm most comfortable. Away from the busy people who want to interfere and intrude into our lives for 90 days a year. My great-grandchildren are growing up now and I want to show them the Parks from the back of a Nordic Pony instead.
George
Lifelong tipi, wall tenter/mule packer. 850-ac in Montana.
61 U404, 99 Dodge V10, 79 Airstream www.nativeradio.com
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Central Michigan Mom
Waterford, Michigan
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Joined: 10/07/2005
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My husband and I have tent camped for the past 25 years. We love it. The place we go to is a state forest in Michigan ~~ the only amenities are the outhouse and the well that you pump your water from. A lot of people think we are crazy to go to such a rustic place but there is no better place to become one with nature. Sitting around the campfire at night and just being silent or coming up with some really deep topics. Of course, you have the salted in the shell peanuts so you can peal them and toss the shells into the fire. Then there are the roasted marshmellows and smores. We normally camp with our daughter and other family members and friends surrounding us in nearby sites. Then they all seem to gather around our campfire at night. I remember one time when my daughter was in the 6th grade and had to write a paper in school about her favorite vacation. We had been to Disney World which she really loved a couple of years before that, but instead of choosing the topic of Disney World she chose our favorite camping spot in Oscoda. That shows just how special the times that are spent with family and friends in a campground is.
I have to add a side note to this: The husband just retired in August and we went to the camper show this past weekend, and yes, we broke down and are going to leave the tent behind. At least during the colder months ~~ we wanted to extend the amount of time that we could camp. Michigan gets pretty cold in October and is normally still a little too cold to start in May and this will not only give us extra time in Michigan but the opportunity to go and venture wherever we want, whenever we want.
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Laura97
NC
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Joined: 02/07/2005
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Good to see this forum. Not very busy, but it's something. We are parking our TT for a while, and perhaps selling it. We just bought a tent and some gear and are heading out over the Thanksgiving holiday to give tent camping a go. We are going to miss some comforts. But what we won't miss is our eight year old daughter wanting to watch TV in the TT instead of being outdoors. There are so many places we can go that are less than practical for our TT. And it seems pretty easy for a quick three day trip than dealing with the towing, packing, etc the TT calls for. Going to feel funny when we go to the larger campgrounds and end up between two big class "A"'s! Going to seem like a solar eclipse.
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andysbunny
NC
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Joined: 12/14/2005
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We tent camp exclusively, because 1 we are historical reenactors and 2 it's cheaper! As members of the SCA, we don't normally use electricity, water is brought in by bucket brigade, and cooking is either campfire or coleman stove. So, we really rough it, if you call a break down four poster bed (canopy coming soon) with air mattress, 6ft dining table, chairs, 10x10 dining canopy and homemade wines and beers roughing it. All this can fit into our Honda Accord, including us and the cat carrier when we have to drop them off at boarding (diabetic). I love camping, and while we do allow rvs and tt at our events, they have to camp far away from us, and that is why we probably will never own either. the sense of community is lost, and that is what our events are all about!
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Harley Greg
Freeland Mi.
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Joined: 01/17/2006
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I have to agree with Central Michigan Mom on the Mighigan State Forest campgrounds. I come from a family of 10 kids and our parents took us camping almost every weekend. They did'nt make a camper big enough to sleep 12 people so we always tented. We still all go camping at a state forest campground 1 week a year. And since all of us have kids that are grown-up and have kids, we have up to 85 family members camping at any given time for that week. Try feeding breakfast to that many.
Now most of my siblings and myself have tt's or 5ers, but the younger ones still tent.
Also in September, my mother and all my siblings and thier spouses and my wife and I take about 4 days and pick a State Park to camp as an adult only weekend.
We still have our tent which will still get use once in awhile.
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Pusher
Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 12/17/2004
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The problem most new tenters have is getting the right tent. If 2 people are to use the tent they need a minimum of a 6 man tent. The problem arises from the slanted sides of the tents. Having tented in a very hot summer and -20 in the winter, I know that having too small a tent is going to cause problems. We like to hang a Coleman lantern from the center of the tent for light and heat in the winter. The lantern does not get knocked over and gets the light up where it is useable. Almost anything is useable when the conditions are good but it is when the weather conditions are bad that more tent is great.
Several years ago we set up under some tall Ponderosa pines near Durango Colorado. Weather was great but during the night a very light mist rolled in. I felt a fine spray on my face during the night. Water was collecting on the long pine needles until there was a big drop that fell off. When it hit the canvas of the tent 50 ft below it exploded through the canvas roof of the tent. I should have resealed the canvas more often I guess.
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mamalama
Jamestown Ohio
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Joined: 05/23/2006
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Enjoy my pop-up during the cooler months, but tenting is always the way to go , at least a few times a year. We tent a lot on weekends last minute. Kids love it, and it is lighter packing.....in theory. LOL
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