We haven't actually "camped" in a few years (the thought of sleeping on a small tent right beside their mom seems 'awkward' to teenaged boys - who knew?), but when we did, there were some definite staples to include (apart from the obvious, like TENT or SLEEPING BAG):
1. Knitting (well, duh...)
2. Books (again with the duh)
3. Camera (I've always wanted a waterproof one, but we've managed without)
4. Inflatable sleeping pad - I am definitely of an age when I like my comforts, and the last time we camped I borrowed a sleeping pad with down in it - my kind of roughing it
5. Chairs - not fancy, just basic keeping-my-ass-off-the-ground kind of chairs
6. Wine - just one bottle, poured into a metal bottle, which is allowed - one glass a night by the campfire just takes the edge off
7. Smores supplies - messy, gooey, but keeps the kids entertained (and stuffed) for hours
8. Bear spray - we never came face to face with one, but I heard them sniffing outside the tent more than once. My question is how does one get close enough to the bear to use the spray effectively without becoming an appetizer? And still, I find it comforting to have nearby...
9. Bug spray - some of us have major insect issues, and must be well-sprayed in order to enjoy the outdoors. I'm not naming names, I'll just say it's not me.
10. Good coffee - something about an early morning campsite, dew-covered ground sparkling in the early sunshine, silence but for birds, and the small of coffee brewing on a Coleman stove... mmmm....
I could go on - fishing rods, for example - but I'll stop here and imagine I'm tucked away in the woods by a lake somewhere...
4 comments:
Having JUST returned from a 4-day trek in Algonquin, the requirements for camping are fairly fresh in my mind. (The post hopefully will go up tonight -- video and pix included!) We don't travel with chairs as I generally can find something that works; bear spray? Never thought of it; wine in a metal canister. Now THAT sounds good. Other than that, yeah, our list is pretty much identical.
How about food? Nah...if its anything like your treks to WI, food is not necessary...
A highly recommended book for item #2 on your list:
A Walk in the Woods (Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail) by Bill Bryson
This book is very funny - check it out at Amazon.com
Enjoy your camping weekend!
Mo
I love this post - I'm going camping in a couple weekends, and will stick to your suggestions!!
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