Camping :)

[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.

[Catrin]

My campsite could not be further from the real bathroom/bathhouse, though not too far from a pit toilet. I went for a full shaded site given the weather we have had recently...

[Miranda]

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.

That's a good cheap idea.

We have a portable air plane type camping toliet we use in our pop-up tent camper. Even if it's not raining, and you wake up in desperate need (those of us women who have had a couple big babies in life and can't have the toliet be far when the bladder is full and screaming mid night) you have something there.

Regardless of that, some spare toliet paper from home is nice. In case the bathhouse hasn't been re-stocked before you need it.

An addition to your first aid kit in the car/tent... hydrocortizone cream (covers a lot ouchies) and/or anti-itch meds, i.e. bug bites, poison ivy etc.

I put a gallon size freezer zip lock baggie over my bike saddle and rubber-band it down. A cheap plastic table cloth could work to both cover your bike, and any other outside gear in a flash rain. Plus, makes table bit more sanitary. Think I paid $1 for mine at Dollar Tree, or Walmart.

I usually lock bikes to the pop-up frame, or put inside a vehicle and lock that down too (that was my carbon roadie- was good map outside park, plus had mtb for trails). Last time I took my xc bici to the beach I locked it to the hitch of my suv- U lock & cable.

[AnnieBikes]

We always have a VERY small travel umbrella (from the dollar store) for nights when you HAVE to go (and don't use the coffee can). It has saved us on several occasions. Also, if you need to walk to the shower/toilet in the rain, it keeps you dryer than rain gear, especially if your rain gear is already wet!