Weekend Camping

[Treehog]

I'm planning a weekend camping trip later this month, and am getting my lists together for what I want/need to bring with me. This got me thinking about how everyone seems to camp a little differently. My inlaws insist on bringin the RV, TV, etc. If you ask me, you might as well stay in a hotel. This trip we'll just be throwing sleeping bags down by the fire. How do you camp, and what do you bring with you?

[offgridbob]

We camp when we go to the homestead cabin on the weekends. Years ago we did the sleeping bags on the ground thing but arthur is in the bone system now.

[femmesteader]

We bring a battery-powered radio. and other than flashlights, that's the only electricity we use.

I will admit to bringing the air mattress. I’ve got a HUGE tent, an 8 person tent, so there is a lot of room even with our double air mattress, this way if it rains we can play cards, read, talk, or plan out the rest of the day. Note that it’s only Andy, myself and our little dog.

I have what I call “the camping bin” it is 2’x1.5’ Rubbermaid bin that stores our essentials. It is Meticulously packed. It’s got everything from water sanitization packets, to compressed towels, everything from cutlery to first aid. The camping bin also has ropes and bungees of every size for stringing laundry and trying tarps. This essentials bin also includes dried soup packets; hot chocolate, spices, knives, and misc stuff that I’ve found handy over the years…such as a dollar store can opener and mini shampoo.

The bin is inspected and replenished after every use. Matches and fire starters are replaced, and first aid is replenished. Hatchet and knives are sharpened and ropes wound up to conserve space.

When we go camping (I’m talkin’ for about 4-7 days) we simply pack the mattress, sleeping bag, food and clothes. The dog is very portable, even though he is a French bulldog and a specialized breed...he loves the outdoors just as much as we do. He has his own special first aid kit, which includes bee sting meds (learned that the hard way) and heat protection. Because we feed our pets a Raw diet, when we’re camping, he gets freeze-dried raw food.

here’s some good advise for Any camper:
You can never have too many tarps. They are even available at the dollar store here.
First aid kit is a must.
Don’t get caught with only one or two sharp knives…they tend to go missing.

I’m a fan of my “Camping bin” container. It’s complete to the point were if there was an evacuation…it would be the first thing I grab.

[Wyobuckaroo]

Used to do the "blanket by the fire" thing when a lot younger, and poorer.
Have done the tent, cot, etc thing, summer and winter.
Actually did a lot of winter camping with hunting camps etc.

At my age now, and with my constant companion Arthur Itis, I do my most
primitive camping in a lounge chair by the indoor pool at the Holiday Inn.
Then I brave the rapids created by the bubbler in the hot tub for about a half
hour, then go to my room.
Just call me "Bwanna".......... Bwahahahahaha

Enjoy
Wyo

[sewserious]

We bring 8-foot popup with no sink or stove inside. Just a place to sit out of the rain if need be and to sleep. There is an air conditioner, but we don't stay in all day even if it gets to 100 degrees here in the summer; it is just so we can sleep IF we are camping where there electricity available. We use a portable electric heater in cold weather, when it is in the 30s or 40s at night.

I have a two-burner Coleman stove, Brinkman propane oven, dishpans, dishdrainer, small propane grill, kitchen stand, roll-up table, melamine dishes, cheap silverware, cheap set of pots and pans, cheap mixing bowls, flashlights, propane and battery lanterns, clothesline, small tool kit, first-aid kit, toiletries, fan, heater, portable CD player/radio, toys for the grandkids, rope lights, 10 x 10 First Up canopy with screens and solid sides if needed, 4 bag chairs, folding side table, tablecloths, wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, and a few other goodies stored in the camper. (It is amazing what you can get in there with the right organization). We take what we need to be comfortable. After throwing my back out four or five times sleeping on the ground, we bought the used pop-up. More comfortable and makes a great storage place for our gear.

We take two five-day coolers, clothes, sheets, towels, and food in the Envoy. That is all we have to pack to get ready to go. We can be out of here in 30 minutes. Oh and a porta potti (that is the MOST important thing IMHO). Firewood depending on the weather.

[ohara1000]

I have camped many different ways. Sleep on the ground to 5th wheel camper with all the conviences you have at home. But my favorite way to camp is backpacking. I am able to carry everything I will need for 3-4 days in a pack weighing 35-40 lbs. You learn to take those things that are necessary to survive as well as a few luxuries. I like coffee tea bag for fresh brewed taste. I carry an air mattress as well.
Sarah

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I have what I call “the camping bin” it is 2’x1.5’ Rubbermaid bin that stores our essentials. It is Meticulously packed. It’s got everything from water sanitization packets, to compressed towels, everything from cutlery to first aid. The camping bin also has ropes and bungees of every size for stringing laundry and trying tarps. This essentials bin also includes dried soup packets; hot chocolate, spices, knives, and misc stuff that I’ve found handy over the years…such as a dollar store can opener and mini shampoo.

[FONT=Arial]The bin is inspected and replenished after every use. Matches and fire starters are replaced, and first aid is replenished. Hatchet and knives are sharpened and ropes wound up to conserve space.



I think that is brilliant. We always have to find and pack everything for every trip. You keep yours ready.

[Naughty_Pines]

Plans for camp site equipment that can be home made. For information only, I do not receive any rapayment for this.

http://www.gspiglet.org/pvc.htm

[sewserious]

That equipment is nice but takes up way too much space even when broken down; also would take a lot of time to set up. With all I carry, we can be set up in an hour, fully functional kitchen, beds made, canopy up, etc. Takes about as long to put it all away.

Before we had the pop-up, I also used the camping bin idea too. I hit Wal-Mart, Dollar Stores, and Goodwill for pots, pans, etc. The key is to duplicate everything you need cheaply and then pack it in one place.

[Treehog]

Wow, these are all great :)
This is actually the first time I'll be camping next to the fire. I've always used a tent, but one of the guys that is going with us has convinced me to give his way a try. I WILL be bringing the inflatable mattress though. I'm not a fan of waking up with a rock in my back.
This trip I've got a bonus firewood score: I just built a compost bin from pallets that I cut down, and I've got a good 6 or so left. So I'll be bringing those and a cordless circular saw and we'll cut as we need them. We can also use them to keep our gear off of the ground should it be rainy.
Other than that we'll be bringing the grill top, a half dozen or so tarps (so we CAN make shelter should we need to) 100 ft of rope, cooler with food and "necesseties" (the 12 oz variety), a few gallons of water, first aid kit, camp chairs, six string, and fishing and shooting gear.

[NCLee]

Plans for camp site equipment that can be home made. For information only, I do not receive any rapayment for this.

http://www.gspiglet.org/pvc.htm

Thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it. Like those plans as they can be converted to iron pipe for heavier and more stable foundations for a backyard kitchen. Plus, by substituting some of the componetns a wide variety of sizes can be done to fit either spaces or individual containers.

TreeHog, don't forget a grate of some kind to make campfire cooking easier. And, a frying pan, along with the fixings, in case you land some fish. Nothing better than fresh caught fish cooked near where they're caught!!

FWIW, over the years we camped just about everyway that can be done. (excluding back packing and a $100,000 motor home palace) Overall, I've enjoyed tent camping the best on a rustic site. Sure the convenience of a slide in camper or larger is nice, especially in bad weather. In fact, sometimes we left the small slide in on the truck and simply used it for storage. Brought the tent along and actually stayed in it.

Give me a spot beside some water, a place to build a fire, some shade, a radio, and a good book and I'm in hog heaven. Can stay there for days, just eating, sleeping, fishing, watching the water, listening to the birds, and just plain relaxing! Start the day with a cup of campfire coffee, just as the dawn breaks. Watch the sunset, go to bed with the frogs asinging. And just drinking in all that nature offers between sunrise and sunset. That makes me a happy camper.

Lee

[Treehog]

Lee,
The grill top is first thing on the list :)
I also saw a recipe/method for chicken I might try out. You first heat 3 rocks in your campfire until they are very hot, then one is put inside the chicken, and the other two are put under the wings. The chicken is then wrapped in 10 (or more) layers of heavy duty foil, and 10-20 layers of wet newspaper. In 3 hours the chicken will be ready to eat. I work with a guy who swears by this method. They usually put the wrapped chicken in a backpack on a morning hike, and by noon it's ready to eat.

[NCLee]

If you try that chicken, let us know how it turns out. Sounds like the concept is similar to haybox cooking.

Lee

[rae-dean]

lets see! i am a grab what i think we need and go and if we forget it-improvise.
hubby is a list man.he has a list he keeps. when we go to our cabin in the woods where we have no water and no power and u can not start a campfire except when snow is on the ground.he will whip out this list and read it off like a director of the robots.
he says oil?i say yes
matches?yes
newspaper?yes
actually sometimes i say yes before i actually know if i have it or not.actually his list has saved us many a time.
we will have eggs and taters or pancakes for breakfast from my summer camp kitchen.
we will have a dinner.
we have an outhouse.
i thought of taking my windchimes out there.but i want the quiet.the peace and to hear the birds.we do not take anything like a radio or anything.this time we are taking a board game.we usually work out there.actually this time he is taking insulation for the cabin and i am taking porch paint to paint the cabin floor.
so usually we work on the place.

[Treehog]

So I'm going to try out the three rock chicken, and will let you know how it goes. I'm going to cheat a little this trip and bring along my AC adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter in my truck. I'll be using it for an electric skillet and a coffee pot. I thought about instant coffee and it made me die a little.

rae dean, I'm sort of a list guy myself, but I know I always forget to put something on there. Most of what I'm bringing this trip is food or some means to cook or consume it. My wife looked at my shopping list and said "This is almost all meat." "Sure is." ;) Other than that stuff it's rope, tarps, sleeping bag, etc.

I guess the weather is starting to look like we might get a shower here or there. If it's too bad, I'll be throwing a tarp over the truck, couple strips of duct tape on the windshield, and throw the rest of the tarp over the truck bed. I've got an inflatable mattress that'll sit in there. Drop the tailgate and I'll be good to go. I might improvise a couple of poles at the cornes, but I don't think I'll need them.

[NCLee]

Check your local weather if you haven't done so recently. Looks like some rough storms in your general area. (sigh) Don't know if you're close enough to be affected today or tonight.

Throw some extra bungee cords in the truck and some more rope. Don't put duck tape on your windshield, if you can help it. That stuff leaves a nasty residue that's hard to remove. Especially if the sun has time to work on it. Experiment with it on some plain glass to make sure you have a solvent that'll take it off the windshield but won't damage the glass or your vehicle finish. If possible, use anything except duck tape!!!

Just 2-cents.
Lee

[tomato204]

Skin-so-soft removes duct tape residue. I like to camp with a cot to sleep off the ground. I've tried all the other methods over the years (60+years) and I now like to sleep off the ground. No RV tho, that's not camping, lol.

[sewserious]

An RV can be camping; take my little pop-up. It is considered an RV. It is only a tent that folds up into a solid-sided utility trailer for the most part. There is no sink or stove. (The box part is only 7 x 8 feet) There are two beds that pull out (making it 16 feet long extended). There is a little tiny eating area that you can barely sit at (we don't even convert it to a dinette, we leave it flat like a bed) but there is tons of storage space in that little critter! (We do have an air conditioner on the roof, but we only use it at night when it is 90+ at midnight!) It is so hot and humid down here (SC) at night that it is hard to sleep at night, so this extends our camping season. We actually had more square feet than our camper! The best thing is that now, we can leave all our camping gear packed, put clothes and food and firewood in the vehicle and be gone in 30 minutes! The only time we are in the camper is to sleep, it is our tent and our storage. We cook outside, eat outside, and stay outside from daylight until well past dark! (usally nine months out of the year down here)

[Quietgentleman]

Lee,
The grill top is first thing on the list :)
I also saw a recipe/method for chicken I might try out. You first heat 3 rocks in your campfire until they are very hot, then one is put inside the chicken, and the other two are put under the wings. The chicken is then wrapped in 10 (or more) layers of heavy duty foil, and 10-20 layers of wet newspaper. In 3 hours the chicken will be ready to eat. I work with a guy who swears by this method. They usually put the wrapped chicken in a backpack on a morning hike, and by noon it's ready to eat.

Be extremely careful when heating rock is a fire they can explode. The water that's in them turns to steam and can have so serious power behind it.

QGM

[Treehog]

Check your local weather if you haven't done so recently. Looks like some rough storms in your general area. (sigh) Don't know if you're close enough to be affected today or tonight.

Throw some extra bungee cords in the truck and some more rope. Don't put duck tape on your windshield, if you can help it. That stuff leaves a nasty residue that's hard to remove. Especially if the sun has time to work on it. Experiment with it on some plain glass to make sure you have a solvent that'll take it off the windshield but won't damage the glass or your vehicle finish. If possible, use anything except duck tape!!!

Just 2-cents.
Lee

It's actually next weekend that we're going, and so far the forecast is 4 straight days of 76 degrees and partly cloudy. As for duct tape, WD-40 takes the residue off pretty well too. I wouldn't be using more than a couple small strips. Either way, windshield is getting replaced before long. Caught a rock a while back. Thanks for lookin' out for me though :)

[Treehog]

An RV can be camping; take my little pop-up. It is considered an RV. It is only a tent that folds up into a solid-sided utility trailer for the most part...

We had a very similar tent camper when I was a kid. I'd spend half the summer in it in our driveway (before or after camping) when my folks let me get away with it.

[bgood]

I haven't been on in awhile and just came across this thread, so, how did the three rock chicken turn out?

[tomato204]

I was kinda curious about the chicken too.

[DaNgEr_KiTtY]

Most of the time I am pretty much a minimalist at whatever I do including camping. I camp both for pleasure & while on the road for work & all seasons. Sometimes primitive with no showers or sometimes in KOA. Seem most people are talking about campground style. Gimme a double burner propane stove & lantern. I refill one pound propane cylinders to save space & can get by with a 2-3 a week. Tent, air mattress & one comfortable chair :) If I am on the road & need a desk for the computer or to eat inside the tent I clamp a piece of wood to my chair lol! I cook most food on the camp fire with my favorite cast iron or in foil. Now its summer I can get everything I need into one large plastic bin, a cooler & chair plus my clothes. I also have mobile broadband for when I am on the road working & a tv tuner card so I can pick up a few local tv stations in high def on my laptop.