Camping :)

[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.

[soprano]

I just got done with a 6-week tour and have lots to say on the subject of camping. If anyone's interested, I have a complete packing list here. Bear in mind that some of that stuff is necessary only for a long trip into remote areas.

I'm of the opinion that the old axiom "pack half as much stuff and twice as much money" applies to camping. Just because you have a car doesn't mean that you need to fill it full of gear. More stuff = more work. If you're car camping and you forget something critical, just hit the nearest Wal-Mart.

You can't be too picky about where you pitch the tent. If you don't like your assigned site, pick something else and ask the ranger if you can move. Look down to see where water will flow in a heavy rain, and up for dead trees or large dead limbs. Check for anthills.

If you can possibly survive without a campfire, then don't have one. Campfires are a ton of work and responsibility. It has to be completely out before you go to sleep or leave the site. Do you really want to be the person who's unattended campfire burns down half the state? They're fun if you're with a group and plan to drink beer and toast s'mores all night, but if you're alone it's nice to be able to take off and go for a walk or go to bed when you're tired. If you do build a fire, please for the love of all that is good, don't be lazy and burn your trash. It never burns completely and the next group will have to pick it out. Find a dumpster or pack it out.

Cookware is a good place to cheap out. I swear by my Pepsi-can stove, $10 Wal-Mart cook set and regular cutlery from the kitchen drawer. Be careful about sanitation and where your water comes from.

If you're worried about the bike getting wet overnight, stash it in the car. Also, make it a habit to keep all food and anything smelly (like toothpaste or deodorant) in the car when you're not using it.

Bug spray and earplugs are both indispensable. Too many people treat campgrounds like their personal party houses. The reason I'm moving into backpacking is that I love to camp, but I can't deal with other campers.

[indysteel]

Great advice, soprano. Boy are you right about people treating campgrounds like their own private party. Last year, we had a site next to a group of twenty-somethings. They got drunk and played a rather loud gave of "Never Have I Ever." For those unfamiliar, it's basically an opportunity for people to talk about their mostly sexual exploits. It was beyond obnoxious. DH and I are exceedingly quiet when we camp, and try to be respectful of the environment, but we're increasingly alone in this attitude.

[Brandi]

Ummm how about a pillow!

[cosc]

Mabe you'll have dry nights, but if not, a coffee can to pee in is a good alternative to going out in a storm or rain, especially if bathrooms are far away.