happycampergal
state parks
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Joined: 04/25/2014
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Deb and Ed M wrote:LOL! So happy to find a tent section - I've been here for ages as an RVer; currently own a Class C and a 5er - but our daughter and her family are in Portland and we'd like to explore the Northwest. Ed suggested using a minivan for the good mileage, faster travel time, and "parkability"; and then staying in dog-friendly hotels. Me, who LOVES to camp, grabbed that idea and ran with it...so now the compromise will be some tent camping mixed with hotels. I just purchased a Coleman "Instant-up 6 person" tent, figuring that gives us room for 2 cots and dog beds...LOL!
Enjoy! I'm in my early 60's and my husband is 68. We bought a great, roomy tent from Walmart (7X14) and have been camping, very comfortably, every month or so for the past 2 years. We're getting ready to upgrade - to a 16X16 foot camping yurt (maybe 20X20, haven't decided) - and hit the road 7 months out of the year. Tent camping rocks!!!!
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teakwoodj
Bradenton
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Joined: 12/02/2010
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When my wife was alive we used to tent camp everywhere from Florida up the Atlantic Coast to Cape Cod, and around the Great Lakes from Detroit to Sault ste Marie and back down to Chicago. We did this for several reasons: 1. We could not afford an RV, so we traveled in either a van or a station wagon, 2.We cut our lodging costs by a third by not staying in motels, and 3. We were still able to afford one dinner per day at a restaurant along the way. The rest of the time we picnicked.
I still think its the best way to travel, especially if you stay in State Parks, because there are always great facilities there (Flush Toilets and Hot showers), and they are a lot quieter than commercial parks.
To everyone who wants to get in on the action and get closest to nature, tent camping is the way to go!!
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gypsy1997
South Dakota
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I want to thank tplife for suggesting that I contact Big Agnes about the problem I have with defective zippers in their tent. I have had other folks say the same thing, but this time it "took". I wrote to Big Agnes and they will repair the tent. I just got it in the mail today and B.A. estimates repair within 3 wks. Thanks again for hitting the right note that made me go ahead and write to Big Agnes.
gypsy97
Big Agnes tent
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s318830
Temecula, CA
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Joined: 10/31/2013
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I've been lurking on this site for a year or so reading up on RV'ing because in a few years I plan to buy a Class A RV and do an around-the-coutry trip with the kids. But I didn't see the Tent Camping forum until today.
I've been camping with the kids (8 & 10) for a couple years. I was laid off a couple years ago and decided to stay home for a bit. With our sudden drop in income I was looking for more economical vacation ideas - especially since I now had more time for weekend trips and summer vacations. I bought some gear, did a test trip, and discovered how great it was.
The kids were banned from electronic devices during the day (night time was okay since their electronic device was a Kindle and I do encourage reading in bed at night and in the morning when others haven't woken up yet.) They found other kids, had a great time, played games, baseball, checkers, etc.
I did decide that I prefer longer trips so that my efforts setting up camp and breaking it down are worth it. I got the Coleman Instant 8-person tent. Love that thing. When my husband isn't able to join me I'm still able to quickly put it up all by myself. I do love how "professional" I look as I go from unpacking it to all set up in a matter of minutes.
One of my amusing "nods to luxury" is that I like using those interlocking foam squares for a floor. But instead of using the industrial grey squares, I bought a faux wood-grain pattern just for camping. So it looks like my tent has a nice wood floor.
I carry everything in my RAV4. I have a hitch and a hitch carrier for my lighter-weight stuff and recently I added a roof bag.
I like camping in our local So Cal State and County Parks. Inexpensive and great locations. My favorites are Idyllwild, Julian, and Casper's Wilderness Park. Great hikes, nature centers, and scenery.
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gypsy1997
South Dakota
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There is something to be said for camping in an RV and also in a tent. I think overall I prefer the tent and wish there were more tent-only campgrounds. I hope you will enjoy an RV - a lot of things are so much easier.
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tplife
SoCal
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Joined: 09/17/2007
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gypsy1997 wrote:I want to thank tplife for suggesting that I contact Big Agnes about the problem I have with defective zippers in their tent. I have had other folks say the same thing, but this time it "took". I wrote to Big Agnes and they will repair the tent. I just got it in the mail today and B.A. estimates repair within 3 wks. Thanks again for hitting the right note that made me go ahead and write to Big Agnes.
Gypsy, you would have done the same thing for me! This is why the higher cost of quality (Big Agnes, Mountain HardWear, Northface, MSR, Sierra Designs, EMS, REI, Marmot) is the best value over time for serious tent campers. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
* This post was
edited 02/18/15 12:34pm by tplife *
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english_401
CA
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Joined: 02/25/2015
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is Yellow Stone National Park still open for tent camping? Heard it was closed due to safety and some campers' garbages left in the park
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64Trvlr
AZ
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Joined: 03/06/2015
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I'm glad to see there's a camping forum here. We tent camped for 30 years all over the West. I've owned at least a dozen tents over the years and now I've got a Cabelas Alaskan Guide 8 man tent. It's the best tent I've ever owned hands down.
Here's a shot of what camp usually looks like with one of my Labs.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/4FTGWutl.jpg )
![[image]](http://bit.ly/1CIRlV8)
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gypsy1997
South Dakota
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That is a great looking tent, and a beautiful campsite. (Of course, the lab is the star of the site!) I have a Big Agnes 6 man tent which I can put up easy enough but it is a little more difficult to attach the fly. I often use a 2 man backpacking tent which is super easy to set up but I can't stand up in it like I can the B.A.
I'm leaving for a cross country trip in less than a month and wonder if the weather will be too cold to do much camping out along the way, but coming back in June or July should be nice.
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van28
fort wayne, in
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Joined: 03/06/2015
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Your campsite looks great. good to hear you are enjoying the Alaskan guide tent. I have started looking at the new inflatable type tents. Does anyone have any good or bad feedback on them. I like that they are small for carrying and light, but good headroom when up.
I will mostly be camping with my small dog so I don't need a huge tent but many of the inflatables have a nice setting area in case the weather is less then favorable or if there are a lot of buzzing flying uninvited visiters.
I envy your cross country trip, that sounds awsome. I hope you have great weather for camping, looks like you are prepared ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/4FTGWut.jpg )
