Camping :)

[Catrin]

I've a light I can strap on my head for reading at night Eventually will need to get some other lighting option, but for now this works. I will have my Sony Reader and probably a real book.

I am getting excited about my trip

[jessmarimba]

Thanks for making my packing list for me! I think I'm going to camp this weekend too for my birthday, I just haven't decided where yet.

Have fun!

[indysteel]

Sounds fun, Catrin! I love camping out there.

Most of the extra stuff DH and I bring are related to cooking/eating, e.g., plates, bowls, and utensils, the food itself, a camp stove, and stuff to clean up with, including dishsoap, towels and a bucket. I always try to think through the prep for each meal so that I don't forget anything. What are you doing for food?

Beyond that, I'd bring your floor pump, extra lube, and a rag to wipe down your chain. Your bike will get incredibly dusty from the trails right now.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Biking wise:
If you are going to leave your bike outside overnight, bring a lock and chain. If the area is muddy and/or very dusty, bring a small bucket, sponge, and rag to use for cleaning the bike. And most importantly, bring bike tools to tighten bolts, etc, that might loosen.

Camping wise:
Insect repellant, folding chair (if the site doesn't have a picnic table), flip-flops (for showering in less than immaculate state park shower stalls), a pocket knife and some twine (gotta hang those wet biking clothes somewhere!), and did I mention insect repellant?


Envious,

Jean

[Bike Writer]

ACG provided a good list and so have others. Small addition would be that if you aren't going to cover your whole bike at night you could put a shower cap over the seat to keep that dry for you from dew or rain. They're small and lightweight.

Call me a neatnut but I usually take a scrap piece of carpet for a door mat for the tent and then dispose of it when I break camp down. I just don't like sand or dirt in the tent. You could even keep one inside the tent and one outside.

[Catrin]

Thanks for all of the good advice, and what I don't have sounds inexpensive

Indy, the food part is more challenging yet easier at the same time. I am planning on having breakfast at the Lodge there in the park - a good variety and the price is pretty good.

For food that I am carrying in, since I've no cooking gear this year, I will carry in fruit, bike food, salty munchies. I will have two coolers, one of which will be reserved for ice to put in my Camelbak. Beer, yogurt, and anything else will be in the larger cooler. So I will need to make certain I have cups for beer, paper towels, something to eat my yogurt with

While I may not feel like heading outside the park, will likely just go into town for dinner. With several days full of mountain biking and hiking I won't have to worry overly much about calories - though I need to make certain I get the right kind of food...

Tonight after my ride I will sit down and start making my list to see what I need to start shopping for.

First Aid kits are interesting, right now I just have several sizes of band-aids and a triple antiobiotic. I know there are threads where we have discussed this, so will visit them tonight to see what else it might be good to have with me on the trail by myself. I won't be going fast enough to have a high-speed crash or anything, but stuff can happen.

[indysteel]

Good luck, Catrin! I'm sure you'll do great. With the IGA right there, if you forget something, you'll be able to pick it up pretty easily. I'm jealous. I'd love to spend more than a night out there, but we don't have another camping trip lined up until Columbus Day weekend.

As for tents and other camping supplies, be sure to keep an eye on REI's outlet if and when you decide to pick up some things. We've gotten some stuff there for decent prices--especially when coupled with a coupon. Our tent is an REI tent, and we love it.

[Kathi]

Earplugs, in case you have noisy neighbors and eyeshades in case your neighbors have bright camp lights, or other lights are nearby.

Also, be careful where you pitch your tent, a flash flood got us the one time we camped there. The ground was very dry and we didn't see the little gully that ran under our tent. Before we got back to our site we had a down pour and everything in the tent got wet from underneath except for 1 sleeping bag. We had just bought a Jeep Wagoneer and both of us slept in it that night. Now, if I suspect rain when I leave the campsite I put my sleeping bag and mat on top of my camp chair inside the tent. The lodge has a wonderful dinner, as we found out that evening.

I also have a mesh bag for carrying my bath stuff to the shower. I second the flip flops for the shower.